The Dambusters

On the 18th May 1943, BBC radio announced the success of a raid to destroy the great 
dams of the Ruhr. Operation "Chastise" was carried out by 617 Squadron of the RAF, now 
known to the world as 'The Dam Busters'. Based on the books by Paul Brickhill (The Dam 
Busters) and Wing Commander Guy Gibson (Enemy Coast Ahead), the story begins in 
Spring 1942, when Dr Barnes Wallis comes up with an idea to create a bomb that can bounce 
on water. Wallis at first struggles to make the authorities take his plans seriously but his passion 
and belief in his plan eventually win through.

With the plan in place, a new squadron is formed, with Wing Commander Guy Gibson to be the commanding officer. The 
squadron is made up of elite aircrew from within bomber command, who commence their training, eventually having to fly 
at night just 60 feet above the ground.

With the testing of the bomb, and training complete, Operation "Chastise" begins, Gibson being the first to attack the Möhne 
dam. After the loss of the second attacking Lancaster, Gibson flies in with every other plane to try and divert the flack, an act 
that was to see Gibson awarded the Victoria Cross. After three more direct hits the Möhne dam is breeched and millions of 
gallons of water pour into the surrounding area. The three aircraft with bombs, along with Gibson, flew on to the Eder Dam. 
With the dams breeched and the Ruhr Valley flooded, the remaining Lancasters headed for home.

After the mission Wallis is distraught that 8 Lancasters and 56 men failed to return, but Gibson points out that all these men 
would still have gone knowing they would not return.

 
 54/xx/xx    1  Episode 1
 54/xx/xx    2  episode 2
 54/xx/xx    3  episode 3
 54/xx/xx    4  episode 4
 54/xx/xx    5  episode 5
 54/xx/xx    6  episode 6
 54/xx/xx    7  episode 7
 54/xx/xx    8  episode 8
 54/xx/xx    9  episode 9
 54/xx/xx   10  episode 10
 54/xx/xx   11  episode 11
 54/xx/xx   12  episode 12
 54/xx/xx   13  episode 13
 54/xx/xx   14  episode 14
 54/xx/xx   15  episode 15
 54/xx/xx   16  episode 16
 54/xx/xx   17  episode 17
 54/xx/xx   18  episode 18
 54/xx/xx   19  episode 19
 54/xx/xx   20  episode 20
 54/xx/xx   21  episode 21
 54/xx/xx   22  episode 22
 54/xx/xx   23  episode 23
 54/xx/xx   24  episode 24
 54/xx/xx   25  episode 25
 54/xx/xx   26  Episode 26