Dambusters

Commemorating this daring Dambusters raid

On the night of 16-17 May 1943, the RAF's 617 Squadron carried out an audacious bombing raid attacking dams serving the Ruhr valley, leaving German factories and mines badly damaged.

Learn how the Dambusters Raid unfolded.

German photograph of the breach wall of the Eder dam after the "Dambusters" raid in May 1943. Crown Copyright, MOD.

Barnes Wallis and the idea behind the bouncing bomb

Barnes Wallis, assistant chief designer for Armstrong Vickers, came up with the idea for a bouncing bomb that could be used to target strategic dams in 1942.

2 May 2023
Dambusters news
World War Two

Wing Commander Guy Gibson

As the 80th anniversary of the Dambusters raid approaches, we chart the life of Wing Commander Guy Gibson who led 617 Squadron on Operation Chastise.

1 May 2018
Dambusters news
World War Two
Supporters

Former RAF Squadron Commander gears up for the 2023 Dambusters Ride

Taking part in this year’s Dambusters 80th anniversary ride is RAF Reservist and former Squadron Commander Clive Mitchell, 59, who is stationed at RAF Lossiemouth.

4 April 2023
Dambusters news
Fundraising

The Dambusters Raid photo gallery

See members of 617 Squadron prepare for Operation Chastise, images of the Eder Dam post-raid and see King George VI visit RAF Scampton after the operation.

Leader of the Dambusters Raid, Wing Commander Guy Gibson, seen with his crew as they board their Avro Lancaster III ED932/AJ-G for the Dams' Raid of 16/17 May 1943. Crown Copyright, MOD.
Leader of the Dambusters Raid, Wing Commander Guy Gibson, seen with his crew as they board their Avro Lancaster III ED932/AJ-G for the Dams' Raid of 16/17 May 1943. Crown Copyright, MOD.

1 of 11

Members of 617 Squadron photographed at Scampton after the Dams raid in May 1943. Crown Copyright, MOD.
Members of 617 Squadron photographed at Scampton after the Dams raid in May 1943. Crown Copyright, MOD.

2 of 11

Modified Lancaster B.I, ED825/G, pictured with and without the special 'Upkeep' weapon designed by Barnes Wallis and used by 617 Squadron to attack dams in the Ruhr industrial heartland of Germany on 16/17 May 1943. Crown Copyright, MOD.
Modified Lancaster B.I, ED825/G, pictured with and without the special 'Upkeep' weapon designed by Barnes Wallis and used by 617 Squadron to attack dams in the Ruhr industrial heartland of Germany on 16/17 May 1943. Crown Copyright, MOD.

3 of 11

The Australians (left to right): Flight Lieutenant RC Hay, Pilot Officer CL Howard, Flight Lieutenants DJ Shannon and JF Leggo, Pilot Officer FM Spafford, Flight Lieutenant HB Martin, Pilot Officer LG Knight and Sgt RGT Kellow. Crown Copyright, MOD.
The Australians (left to right): Flight Lieutenant RC Hay, Pilot Officer CL Howard, Flight Lieutenants DJ Shannon and JF Leggo, Pilot Officer FM Spafford, Flight Lieutenant HB Martin, Pilot Officer LG Knight and Sgt RGT Kellow. Crown Copyright, MOD.

4 of 11

The Commanding officer of 617 Squadron, Wing Commander Guy Gibson, is assisted into his parachute harness by his rear gunner, Flight Lieutenant RAD Trevor-Roper, before leading his Squadron on the famous 'Dambusters' Raid (Operation CHASTISE) from Scampton, Lincolnshire, during the night of 16/17 May 1943. Crown Copyright, MOD.
The Commanding officer of 617 Squadron, Wing Commander Guy Gibson, is assisted into his parachute harness by his rear gunner, Flight Lieutenant RAD Trevor-Roper, before leading his Squadron on the famous 'Dambusters' Raid (Operation CHASTISE) from Scampton, Lincolnshire, during the night of 16/17 May 1943. Crown Copyright, MOD.

5 of 11

The Eder Dam which was targeted by 617 Squadron during the night of 16/17 May 1943. Crown Copyright, MOD.
The Eder Dam which was targeted by 617 Squadron during the night of 16/17 May 1943. Crown Copyright, MOD.

6 of 11

The Eder Dam, Germany, two months after the 'Dambusters' raid on 16/17 May 1943 by 617 Squadron. The reservoir (Edersee) is now completely dry and, on the river bed in front of the breached dam (top right) a light railweay has been construction in preparation for its repair. A new hutted encampment for workers has also been built to the right of the dam. Crown Copyright, MOD.
The Eder Dam, Germany, two months after the 'Dambusters' raid on 16/17 May 1943 by 617 Squadron. The reservoir (Edersee) is now completely dry and, on the river bed in front of the breached dam (top right) a light railweay has been construction in preparation for its repair. A new hutted encampment for workers has also been built to the right of the dam. Crown Copyright, MOD.

7 of 11

Post-raid photographs taken of the areas damaged in the extensive flooding caused by the breaching of the Mohne and Eder dams by 617 Squadron (Operation CHASTISE) during the night of 16/17 May 1943. Crown Copyright, MOD.
Post-raid photographs taken of the areas damaged in the extensive flooding caused by the breaching of the Mohne and Eder dams by 617 Squadron (Operation CHASTISE) during the night of 16/17 May 1943. Crown Copyright, MOD.

8 of 11

German photograph of the breach wall of the Eder dam after the "Dambusters" raid in May 1943. Crown Copyright, MOD.
German photograph of the breach wall of the Eder dam after the "Dambusters" raid in May 1943. Crown Copyright, MOD.

9 of 11

The King and Queen visited 617 Squadron - The Dambusters - at their home station at Scampton on 26 May 1943. During the visit they were intrioduced to the squadron members who carried out the attack and saw images of the subsequent flooding to the Ruhr. Photo dated 27 May 1943. Crown Copyright, MOD.
The King and Queen visited 617 Squadron - The Dambusters - at their home station at Scampton on 26 May 1943. During the visit they were intrioduced to the squadron members who carried out the attack and saw images of the subsequent flooding to the Ruhr. Photo dated 27 May 1943. Crown Copyright, MOD.

10 of 11

King George VI, accompanied by Wing Commander Guy Gibson (right) talking to Pilot Officer GL Knight RAAF, during his visit to 617 Squadron at Scampton on 27 May 1943. Knight and his crew launched the 'Upkeep' weapon which successfully breached the Eder Dam. Crown Copyright, MOD.
King George VI, accompanied by Wing Commander Guy Gibson (right) talking to Pilot Officer GL Knight RAAF, during his visit to 617 Squadron at Scampton on 27 May 1943. Knight and his crew launched the 'Upkeep' weapon which successfully breached the Eder Dam. Crown Copyright, MOD.

11 of 11

Make a donation

Please donate today to help us to continue being there for those in our RAF Family in need of support.