Great
value aviation art prints of the History
of the Dambuster Squadron. Royal Air Force Lancaster Squadron
617 in
aviation art prints. Avro Lancaster's of Wing Commander Guy
Gibson and Flt Lt Mickey Martin during the attack on
the Eder Dam and Mohne Dam on the Ruhr. These superb aviation art
prints available only direct from Cranston Fine Srts, websites
|
| Every Second Counts - The Dambusters by Philip West. Wing Commander Guy Gibson and crew have just released their Upkeep mine against their primary target The Mohne dam. Wg. Cdr. Gibson went on to receive the Victoria Cross after leading 19 Lancasters on this historic mission to the Ruhr dams. Operation Chastise gave the nation a great boost in confidence during 1943 and honoured the brave men of 617 Squadron who carried out this dangerous mission. Signed limited edition of 100 prints. Paper size 27 inches x 20 inches (69cm x 51cm). Price £95.00 Signed by Squadron Leader George L. Johnson DFM.
Signed limited edition of 40 artist proofs. Paper size 27 inches x 20 inches (69cm x 51cm). Price £135.00 Signed by Sergeant Raymond E. Grayston (deceased).
Signed limited edition of 50 prints. Paper size 27 inches x 20 inches (69cm x 51cm). Price £75.00
ITEM CODE DHM1635 |
| Dambusters - The First Wave by Ivan Berryman. En route to the dams of the Ruhr Valley, the first wave of three specially adapted Avro Lancasters roar across the Dutch wetlands on the night of 16 -17th May 1943 led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, their mission to breach the Mohne and Eder dams, thus robbing the German war machine of valuable hydro-electric power and disrupting the water supply to the entire area. Carrying their unique, Barnes Wallis designed 'Bouncing Bomb’ and flying at just 30m above the ground to avoid radar detection, 617 Squadron’s Lancasters forged their way into the enemy territories, following the canals of the Netherlands and flying through forest fire traps below treetop height to their targets. Gibson’s aircraft (‘G’-George) is nearest with ‘M’-Mother of Fl/Lt Hopgood off his port wing and ‘P’-Peter (Popsie) of Fl/Lt Martin in the distance. Signed limited edition of 1150 paper prints. Image size 17 inches x 11 inches (43cm x 28cm). Price £75.00
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 17 inches x 11 inches (43cm x 28cm). Price £105.00
Presentation edition of 5 paper prints. Image size 17 inches x 11 inches (43cm x 28cm). Price £300.00
Limited edition of up to 50 giclee canvas prints. Size 36 inches x 26 inches (91cm x 66cm). Price £590.00
Limited edition of up to 50 giclee canvas prints. Size 30 inches x 20 inches (76cm x 51cm). Price £460.00
Original painting, oil on canvas by Ivan Berryman. Size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm. Price £4700.00  Massive Summer Sale! To make way for new art projects, this painting is reduced to gallery trade price for all customers!
Save £1000 on this original painting! - Was £5700
ITEM CODE DHM1938 |
| Attack on the Sorpe by Ivan Berryman. McCarthy's aircraft, ED825(G) AJ-T attacking the undefended Sorpe Dam with the village in the background and the church with the steeple that they had to avoid on the hilltop. Such was the difficulty of the approach to this dam - attacked along its length in contrast to the other dams which were attacked perpendicular to the dam - McCarthy needed to make a total of ten runs before the bomb was dropped accurately. Despite such determination, the bomb failed to cause any significant damage to the massive earth dam. Limited edition of 30 giclee paper prints. Image size 12 inches x 8 inches (31cm x 21cm). Price £80.00
Limited edition of 20 artist proofs. Image size 12 inches x 8 inches (31cm x 21cm). Price £105.00
Signature edition of 2 prints. Image size 12 inches x 8 inches (31cm x 20cm) . Price £250.00
Original pencil drawing by Ivan Berryman. Paper size 17 inches x 12 inches (43cm x 31cm). Price £380.00 Signed by Squadron Leader George L. Johnson DFM.
ITEM CODE B0420 |
| Tragedy at the Eder by Ivan Berryman. (P) Following the successful attack on the Mohne dam on the night of 16th/17th May 1943, three Lancasters of 617 Sqn turned their attention to the Eder, some twelve minutes flying time away, accompanied by Wing Commander Guy Gibson to oversee the next attack. After several aborted attempts to obtain the correct height and direction for their bomb run by Flight Lieutenant Shannon (AJ-L) and Squadron Leader H E Maudslay (AJ-Z), Gibson called in Maudslay to try again. During his second approach, he released his Upkeep bomb too late. It struck the top of the dam wall and bounced back into the air where it exploded right behind Maudslay’s aircraft, lighting up the entire valley and causing considerable damage to the aircraft that had dropped it. Despite what must have been crippling damage, AJ-Z did manage to limp away from the scene and begin the return journey, but Maudslay and all his crew were sadly lost when their aircraft was shot down by flak at Emmerich-Klein-Netterdn. The Eder was finally successfully breached by Pilot Officer Les Knight’s aircraft, ED912(G), AJ-N, which returned safely. Original acrylic painting by Ivan Berryman. Size 13 inches x 9 inches (33cm x 23cm). Price £900.00
ITEM CODE B0427 |
| Dambusters - Moment of Truth by Ivan Berryman. This was the moment when the massive Möhne dam was finally breached on the night of 16th-17th May 1943 during the top secret Operation Chastise. The specially-converted Lancaster B MkIII of Fl/Lt David Maltby ED906(G) AJ-J roars between the towers of the dam, having released the Upkeep bouncing bomb that would ultimately cause a cascade of water to flood into the valley below. Fl/Lt Harold Martin’s identical aircraft, ED909(G) AJ-P can be seen off Maltby’s port wing with all of its light ablaze, drawing enemy fire from the attacking bomber. Signed limited edition of 1150 paper prints. Image size 17 inches x 11 inches (43cm x 28cm). Price £75.00
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 17 inches x 11 inches (43cm x 28cm). Price £105.00
Presentation edition of 5 paper prints. Image size 17 inches x 11 inches (43cm x 28cm). Price £300.00
Limited edition of up to 50 giclee canvas prints. Size 36 inches x 26 inches (91cm x 66cm). Price £590.00
Limited edition of up to 50 giclee canvas prints. Size 30 inches x 20 inches (76cm x 51cm). Price £460.00
Original painting, oil on canvas by Ivan Berryman. Size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £4700.00
ITEM CODE DHM1946 |
| Determined to the Last by Ivan Berryman. (P) The Lancaster B MkIII of Flt Lt J V Hopgood was the second aircraft to make an attempt at breaching the Mohne Dam on the night of 16/17th of May 1943, ED925(G) (AJ-M) encountering intense flak and 20mm fire from the shore and from the towers of the dam itself. Just moments from the release of the Upkeep bomb, both of Hopgood’s port engines took direct hits and burst into flames as other rounds ripped through the starboard wing. Despite these fatal strikes, the brave crew pressed home their attack, but released their bomb just seconds too late to be effective. The bomb bounced over the dam wall, landing on the power station below where it exploded with devastating results. With blazing fuel now engulfing the wing of his crippled aircraft, Hopgood climbed to about 500ft where the wing failed, sending ED925 into a dive from which it would never recover. By jumping clear just moments before impact, two of her crew survived to become prisoners of war. Original acrylic painting by Ivan Berryman. Size 13 inches x 9 inches (33cm x 23cm). Price £800.00
ITEM CODE B0418 |
| Well on the Way to Make History - the Dambusters by David Pentland. The most famous raid of the second world war, the audacious Dambusters raid by Lancasters of No.617 Sqn was to wreak havoc in Germanys industrial heartland. Two dams will be destroyed on the raid - the Mohne and the Eder, flooding the valleys below and stopping production in their factories, providing an immeasurable morale boost for those back home. Here, two of the modified bombers pass windmills on the Dutch canals as they make their way to the first target, their almighty roar shattering the stillness and disturbing some of the local wildlife. As they approach Germany in the moonlight, the bombers are well on the way to make history. Signed limited edition of 1050 prints. Image size 17 inches x 12 inches (43cm x 31cm). Price £70.00 Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
Save £5 on selected prints - Was £75
Limited edition of 100 artist proofs. Image size 17 inches x 12 inches (43cm x 31cm). Price £135.00 Signed by Flight Sergeant Grant S McDonald RCAF Save £10 on selected prints - Was £145
Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
Limited edition of 100 publishers proofs. Image size 17 inches x 12 inches (43cm x 31cm). Price £135.00 Signed by Sergeant Frederick E. Sutherland RCAF Save £10 on selected prints - Was £145
Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer
Limited edition of 50 giclee canvas prints. Size 30 inches x 20 inches (76cm x 51cm). Price £370.00 £90 Off Selected Giclee Canvas Prints - Was £460
Original painting, oil on canvas by David Pentland. Size 30 inches x 20 inches (76cm x 51cm). Price £
ITEM CODE DHM1701 |
| The Hardest Task by Ivan Berryman. (P) The 617 Sqn Lancaster of Guy Gibson (G for George) thunders over the Mohne Dam on the first attack run of the Dambusters raid, 16th - 17th May 1943. After several attacks on the dam, it was finally breached by the innovative bouncing bomb designed by Barnes-Wallis. Original pencil drawing by Ivan Berryman. Paper size 17 inches x 12 inches (43cm x 31cm). Price £380.00 Signed by Squadron Leader George L. Johnson DFM.
ITEM CODE B0414 |
| Inbound to Target - The Dambusters by Robert Taylor. The crews of 617 Squadron that took part in the epic Dambusters raid on the night of 16/17 May 1943 were among the finest in the RAF. They were the elite of Bomber Command, and when they left RAF Scampton that night, the skills of their pilots – some of the finest of the Second World War, would be tested to the limit. First, they must guide their aircraft across heavily defended enemy territory at altitudes often as low as fifty feet, dodging flak, trees, buildings and power lines. And then they must attack their targets with a precision unmatched in the annals of the RAF. Of all the pilots who took to the skies that night, no-one was more accomplished at low-level flying than Flight Lieutenant Mick Martin, and it is his aircraft, Lancaster AJ-P that is the subject of this artwork. In company with Flight Lieutenant John Hopgood in the distance, they follow one of the many canals of Holland, wingtips barely missing the sails of the windmills, en-route to the Mohne Dam. Limited edition of 225 prints Paper size 22 inches x 14.5 inches (56cm x 37cm) Image size 18.5 inches x 10.5 inches (45cm x 26cm). Price £135.00 Signed by :
Sergeant Raymond E. Grayston (deceased) ,
Squadron Leader George L. Johnson DFM ,
Squadron Leader Les Munro DSO DFC RNZAF ,
Sergeant Frederick E. Sutherland RCAF ,
Flight Sergeant Grant S McDonald RCAF
and
Corporal Kenneth Lucas.
Limited edition of 25 artist proofs Paper size 22 inches x 14.5 inches (56cm x 37cm) Image size 18.5 inches x 10.5 inches (45cm x 26cm). Price £225.00 Signed by :
Sergeant Raymond E. Grayston (deceased) ,
Squadron Leader George L. Johnson DFM ,
Squadron Leader Les Munro DSO DFC RNZAF ,
Sergeant Frederick E. Sutherland RCAF ,
Flight Sergeant Grant S McDonald RCAF
and
Corporal Kenneth Lucas.
Limited edition of 50 publishers proofs, supplied matted. Matted size 25.5 inches x 21 inches (65cm x 53cm) Image size 18.5 inches x 10.5 inches (45cm x 26cm). Price £ Signed by :
Sergeant Raymond E. Grayston (deceased) ,
Squadron Leader George L. Johnson DFM ,
Squadron Leader Les Munro DSO DFC RNZAF ,
Sergeant Frederick E. Sutherland RCAF ,
Flight Sergeant Grant S McDonald RCAF
and
Corporal Kenneth Lucas
and features the matted signatures of :
Squadron Leader Ken Brown CGM RCAF (deceased) ,
Flight Lieutenant Bill Townsend CGM DFM (deceased) ,
Flight Lieutenant Edward Johnson (deceased) ,
Flight Lieutenant Edward Johnson (deceased) ,
Squadron Leader David J Shannon DSO* DFC* RAAF (deceased)
and
Flying Officer Dave Rodger DFC RCAF (deceased) ,
.
ITEM CODE DHM1833 |
| Operation Chastise - The Dambusters by Philip West. During the night of May 16/17, 1943, 19 Lancasters of the newly formed 617 Squadron carried out daring raids against four dams in the Ruhr. The Primary target was the Mohne dam. Here we see Flt Lt Maltby and crew in AJ-J flying clear of the Mohne before their Upkeep mine exploded against and breached the dam. Operation Chastise became a legend in the annals of the RAF and military history. Signed limited edition of 100 prints. Paper size 27 inches x 20 inches (69cm x 51cm). Price £95.00 Signed by Squadron Leader George L. Johnson DFM.
Signed limited edition of 40 artist proofs. Paper size 27 inches x 20 inches (69cm x 51cm). Price £135.00 Signed by Sergeant Raymond E. Grayston (deceased).
Signed limited edition of 50 prints. Paper size 27 inches x 20 inches (69cm x 51cm). Price £75.00
ITEM CODE DHM1634 |
| No Way Back by Ivan Berryman. (P) Despite crippling damage to their Lancaster ED925 (G), the crew of AJ-M continued to press home their attack on the Mohne Dam on the night of 16th/17th May 1943. With both port engines ablaze, Flt Lt J V Hopgood forced his blazing aircraft on, releasing the Upkeep bomb just precious seconds too late to strike the dam, the mine instead bouncing over the wall and onto the power station below with devastating results. ED925 attempted to recover from the maelstrom, but the fuel fire was too intense and the aircraft was tragically lost, just two of her crew managing to escape the impact to spend the rest of the war as PoWs. Original acrylic painting by Ivan Berryman. Size 13 inches x 9 inches (33cm x 23cm). Price £800.00
ITEM CODE B0417 |
| Tribute to the 617 Sqn Dambusters Crew of Lancaster AJ-A by David Pentland. (P) The image shows Lancaster AJ-A attacking the Mohne dam, successfully causing a small breach. Alongside is the portrait of AJ-A pilot Sqn Ldr H M Young. This aircraft was shot down over the Dutch coast on the return journey, with the loss of all crew.
Crew of A for Apple :
Pilot : Sqn Ldr H M Young
Flight Engineer : Sgt D T Horsfall
Navigator : Flt Sgt D W Roberts
Wireless Operator : Sgt L W Nichols
Bomb Aimer : Flg Off V S MacCausland
Front Gunner : Sgt G A Yeo
Rear Gunner : Sgt W Ibbotson. Original pencil drawing by David Pentland. Paper size 17 inches x 12 inches (43cm x 31cm). Price £410.00 Signed by Squadron Leader George L. Johnson DFM.
ITEM CODE DP0212 |
| Moment of Truth by Ivan Berryman. (P) The 617 Sqn Lancaster of Guy Gibson (G for George) thunders over the Mohne Dam on the first attack run of the Dambusters raid, 16th - 17th May 1943. After several attacks on the dam, it was finally breached by the innovative bouncing bomb designed by Barnes-Wallis. Original pencil drawing by Ivan Berryman. Paper size 17 inches x 12 inches (43cm x 31cm). Price £380.00
ITEM CODE B0413 |
| A Wing and a Prayer by Ivan Berryman. (P) The Dams raids on the night of 16/17 May 1943 were notable not least for the incredible ingenuity shown by the Lancaster crews in their efforts to avoid detection by the enemy en route to their targets. P/O W C Townsend elected to fly his aircraft, ED886(G) O for Orange below tree-top height through a forest firetrap on his way to the Ennepe Dam, a feat carried out by moonlight alone. AJ-O made it successfully to its target where the Upkeep bomb was observed to hit the dam, but with no effect. Townsend returned to base at this perilous altitude, the crew observing that flak shells were bouncing off the sea in the German gunners’ efforts to prevent the Lancaster’s escape across the North Sea. AJ-O was one of eleven aircraft to return safely out of a total of nineteen that took part in the heroic raids under the codename Operation Chastise. Original acrylic painting by Ivan Berryman. Size 13 inches x 9 inches (33cm x 23cm). Price £800.00
ITEM CODE B0426 |
| The Dambusters by Gerald Coulson. Mick Martin's Lancaster pulls away from the Möhne Dam, his Upkeep bomb exploding behind him sending a huge plume of water into the air. Guy Gibson flies to his right drawing flak from the anti-aircraft guns on the towers. Signed limited edition of 400 prints. Paper size 34 inches x 25 inches (86cm x 64cm). Price £195.00 Signed by Squadron Leader George L. Johnson DFM,
Sergeant Raymond E. Grayston (deceased),
Flight Lieutenant Edward Johnson (deceased),
and
Flight Lieutenant George Chalmers DFC DFM (deceased).
Collectors edition of 200 prints. Paper size 34 inches x 25 inches (86cm x 64cm). Price £ Signed by Squadron Leader George L. Johnson DFM,
Sergeant Raymond E. Grayston (deceased),
Flight Lieutenant Edward Johnson (deceased),
Flight Lieutenant George Chalmers DFC DFM (deceased),
Squadron Leader Ken Brown CGM RCAF (deceased),
Flying Officer Dave Rodger (deceased),
Sergeant Frederick E. Sutherland RCAF,
Flight Sergeant Grant S McDonald RCAF
and
Squadron Leader Les Munro DSO DFC RNZAF.
Publishers Proof edition of 50 prints. Paper size 34 inches x 25 inches (86cm x 64cm). Price £ Signed by Squadron Leader George L. Johnson DFM,
Sergeant Raymond E. Grayston (deceased),
Flight Lieutenant Edward Johnson (deceased),
Flight Lieutenant George Chalmers DFC DFM (deceased),
Squadron Leader Ken Brown CGM RCAF (deceased),
Flying Officer Dave Rodger (deceased),
Sergeant Frederick E. Sutherland RCAF,
Flight Sergeant Grant S McDonald RCAF,
Squadron Leader Les Munro DSO DFC RNZAF,
Air Marshal Sir Harold (Mick) Martin KCB CB DSO* AFC RAAF (deceased)
and
Squadron Leader David J Shannon DSO* DFC* RAAF (deceased).
ITEM CODE DHM1947 |
| Night of Heroes - The Dambusters by Philip West. 17th May 1943. Lancasters from 617 Squadron deliver a surprise attack on the Ruhr dams with specially designed, unique bouncing bombs invented by Barnes Wallis. Wing Commander Guy Gibson is shown drawing defensive fire away from Flt Lt Maltbys aircraft as it passes over the Mohne, just as his mine explodes and breaches the dam. Signed limited edition of 125 prints. Paper size 28 inches x 19 inches (71cm x 48cm). Price £95.00
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Paper size 28 inches x 19 inches (71cm x 48cm). Price £135.00 Signed by Sergeant Raymond E. Grayston and Squadron Leader George L. Johnson DFM.
Small limited edition of 75 artist proofs. Paper size 19 inches x 13 inches (48cm x 33cm). Price £95.00 Signed by Sergeant Raymond E. Grayston (deceased) and Squadron Leader George L. Johnson DFM
Small signed limited edition of 750 prints. Paper size 19 inches x 13 inches (48cm x 33cm). Price £75.00 Signed by Squadron Leader George L. Johnson DFM.
ITEM CODE DHM2642 |
|
Goner 78A - The Dambusters
Raid by Tim Fisher The fourth attack on the Mohne Dam led
by Sqd Ldr H M Young, piloting AJ-A (ED877/G). In the background to his
starboard side is Flt Lt H B Martin, flying AJ-P (ED909/G), who was
drawing fire away from the attacking aircraft by flashing his
identification lights and turning on the spotlight altitude indicators.
Wing Cdr G P Gibson's aircraft is out of sight, engaging enemy fire at
the far side of the dam wall. The bomb was observed to make three good
bounces and exploded on contact exactly as Barnes Wallis had planned,
generating a vast column of water. Although it was not obvious at that
instant, this was the attack which succeeded in breaching the dam.
However, it was not until the next attack by Flt D J H Maltby that it
was realised that the dam was crumbling. The code word sent out by Young
signified; Goner (bomb released) 7 (exploded in contact with the dam) 8
(no apparent breach) A (Mohne dam). Young's aircraft was lost with all
lives on its return to Scampton possibly around 02.58 near
Castricum-ann-Zee, north of Ijmuiden.
Third
Time Lucky by Ivan Berryman. Standing
his aircraft at the height of just 60 feet above the waters of the Mohne,
Flt Lt Maltby braves a hail of anti-aircraft fire just seconds before
the release of the bouncing bomb that would at last breach the dam on
that historic night of the 16th/17th May 1943.
Operation
Chastise - The Night They Broke the Dams by Ivan Berryman. Guy
Gibsons Lancaster having unsuccessfully dropped its bomb, draws enemy
fire from the aircraft of Sqn Ldr Young as his bomb explodes
spectacularly on the Mohne Dam during the audacious Dams Raids of
16th/17th May 1943.
This epic story of the Dam Busters needs
little introduction. An elite squadron of hand-picked airmen were put
together under the command of Wing commander Guy Gibson. Their mission
was to destroy the hydroelectric dams of the Ruhr, causing millions of
tons of water to crash into the German munitions factories. The best
known of the dams is of course, the heavily defended Mohna which was the
first to be breached. Having destroyed this dam, five of the remaining
aircraft, only three still carrying Barnes Wallis' famous 'Upkeep' bomb
flew onto their second, but no less important target, the Eder Dam.
Although defended by flak, the Eder was surrounded on all sides by steep
mountains making the approach extremely hazardous.
The Dambusters by Simon Smith Gibson and Martins attack run 16th May 1943.
Signed by five crew, Edward C Johnson - bomb aimer, Ray Grayston - Flight
Engineer, Frederick Sutherland - RCAF Rear Gunner, George Chalmers and George Johnson
Target Y "The Eder Dam Raid",
The Rhur Valley, 17th May 1942 by David Pentland At 0154am, Pilot officer Les Knight in Avro Lancaster
AJ-N
transmitted the codeword "Dinghy", the signal that the Eder
Dam had been successfully breached. Although the target was undefended
by flak, its location made it extremely difficult to hit. In fact, four
of the five aircraft involved in the attack failed in their attempts and
Knights' was the last available aircraft carrying the last available
bomb!
Tonight We Make History by Keith Aspinall Guy
Gibson, Micky Martin and John Hopgood outward bound from Scampton on the
evening of 16th May 1943.
Moonlight Run (Dambusters) by Ivan Berryman In one of the finest portrayals of the Avro Lancaster,
"Moonlight Run" depicts the aircraft of Fl. Lt.
"Mickey" Martin (ED909 AJ-P) at the moment of release of the
Wallace Bomb during the Dams raid on the Ruhr in 1943. With only the
gentlest of moonlight rippling over the dark water of the Mohne, this
dramatic picture plays homage to the impossible low altitudes and high
speeds that were necessary to complete successfully their heroic
mission. A stark and refreshing treatment of a subject at the hearts of
all aviation historians.
Gibson by
Robert Tomlin Guy Gibson in his specially modified Avro
Lancaster, makes his first run over the Mohne Dam to create a legend that
will live forever.
Breaching the Eder by Simon Smith Depicts Lancaster
AJ-N of pilot officer Les Knight having just
dropped the final bomb which actually breached the dam, climbing steeply
to avoid the mountain behind the dam. So moved by Simon Smith's
reproduction of the event, Flight Lieutenant Edward C Johnson DFC took
the unprecedented step of endorsing the painting itself with his
signature
Dambusters Outward Bound by Simon Smith
Depicts the aircraft setting out over Norfolk prior to their epic
mission, available signed by artist only or also countersigned by
two members of the squadron. and artist proofs with two further members of this
elite squad.
Eye of the Storm - The
Dambusters by Philip
West Wing
Commander Gibsons aircraft in the foreground and Flt. Lt. Martins in the
distance, both draw flak away from Sqn. Ldr. Youngs Lancaster after it
has dropped its Bouncing Bomb and makes its escape over the Mohne Dam.
Lead by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, 19 Lancasters departed their home
base in three waves, each aircraft armed with a single bouncing bomb
developed by Barnes Wallis. The targets were German dams in the heart of
the industrial Ruhr. The resulting attacks breached the Mohne and Eder
Dams with attempts also on the Sorpe and Schwelme Dams. For his
leadership and courage, Gibson was awarded the Victoria Cross. 34 other
men also received decorations.
Operation Chastise - The Dambuster Raid by Barry Price 617 Squadron took off from RAF Scampton led by Wg Cdr G P Gibson.
Specially adapted Lancasters were used. The fourth aircraft to attack, AJ@A (ED877) piloted by Sqn Ldr H M Young was the aircraft which breached
the Mohne Dam. The attack was carried out under the a full moon for
maximum nighttime visibility. The mine was released at an altitude of 60ft
at 220mph. Codename for the cylindrical mine was 'Upkeep'. Diameter
50", length 60". Of the 19 who set out only 8 failed to return. |
| Homeward Bound by Nicolas Trudgian.
No single raid during World War Two has attracted more discussion,
analysis, features, books, interviews, or been the subject of more films,
documentaries, and TV programmes than the famous attack mounted by the
RAF's 617 Squadron upon the mighty hydroelectric dams in Westphalia, on
the night of 16/17 May, 1943. led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson,
nineteen specially adapted Lancaster bombers, manned by 133 aircrew,
culminated months of secret training when they made one of the most
audacious raids of the war. Flying at tree top height in darkness,
and doing their best to avoid electricity pylons and other obstructions,
they navigated their way deep into occupied territory. Their targets
were the huge Mohne, Sorpe, Ennepe, and Eder Dams that powered Germany's
huge industrial factories in the heartland of the Ruhr. Each bomber
had to avoid enemy flak and fighters en route, locate their target,
descend to precisely 60 feet above the water then, in the face of a
barrage of anti-aircraft fire, release their single unique 10,000lb
hydrostatic bomb at exactly the right moment. There was no margin
for error, and there was no place for faint hearts. Eight of the
crews that left RAF Scampton that night were never to return. Of the
fifty-six aircrew on boar only two survived. Though nearly half the
skilled crews that made up 617 squadron were lost, they recorded one
of the most successful and daring air raids of the war - a costly
endeavour, but one that has become legend in the annals of aerial warfare. |
| Text for the above print: On the night of 16th/17th May 1943 Wing Commander Guy Gibson led a
small force of 19 Lancaster's of 617 Squadron on what was to become
one of the most daring and ingenious raids in history. Flying from
RAF Scampton their mission - code named Operation Chastise - was to breach
the mighty hydroelectric dams of the Ruhr, Mohne, Eder and Sorpe, a task
which Arthur Harris had earlier described as impossible.
Months of preparation had preceded the attack with the Squadron
practicing the use of their unique bouncing bombs - code named Upkeep -
the brain child of the brilliant Barnes Wallis. The actual targets
were only revealed to the crew's a short time before their departure
however this elite unit were under no illusions as to the dangers of their
mission. Flying at altitudes as low as fifty feet and observing
strict radio silence they would face heavy flak and ground fire crossing
Holland to Germany. On the run in to the target, using their height
finding spotlights they would have to fly in complete darkness at
precisely 60 feet before their lethal cargo could be released.
Gerald Coulson has used his undeniable skills to recreate the attack on
the Mohne Dam as Mick Martin's aircraft pulls away from the target. His
9,250lb bomb explodes behind him and although not actually breaching the
dam wall, sends a huge plume of water into the air leaving a fine mist
hanging in the atmosphere. Guy Gibson having already made his run
flies to Martin's right, lights on full drawing gun fire from the towers.
Below them the power station hit by John Hopgood's bomb on the previous
run is still engulfed in flames.
The Dambusters Raid was probably the most brilliant air attack of the
Second World War but the success was not without its cost. Of the 19
aircraft that took part in the mission eight failed to return, in fact
only 6 returned unscathed, with the loss of 53 aircrew. The
destruction of the Mohne and Eder Dams released over 150 million gallons
of water into the Ruhr valley and caused widespread flooding and severe
interruption to industry, communications and various utilities. One
of the most important consequences was that over 20,000 men had to be
redeployed by the enemy to repair the damage.
Following the raid no fewer than 33 aircrew received decorations for
gallantry, including Gibson's award of the Victoria Cross. |
|
