My name is Charles Foster. I’m a writer, editor and designer and I live in Dublin, Ireland.
I’ve set this blog up as a service to anyone who would like to find out more, or share material, about the RAF’s 617 Squadron between its formation in March 1943 and the end of that year. I occasionally stray into events which occurred later in the Second World War, but I don’t claim any expert knowledge of this period.
The reason for my interest is personal: my late mother was Jean Foster, née Maltby, and was Dams Raid pilot Sqn Ldr David Maltby’s younger sister. David and his whole crew were killed returning from an aborted operation in September 1943.
This led me to write a book about David Maltby and his crew, which was recently published by Pen and Sword. You can find out more about this at my separate website.
Contact me by email here.
Interesting Blog Ive always been fascinated with anything to do with the Dams Raids, several years ago I had the extreme honour and privilige to have a small part in helping to find and excavate ED 825″The last Dambuster” in France. Bomb Aimer Johnny Johnson survived this crash and returned to the field for the first time in 63 years. Some incredible finds were made during the excavation and it was later the subject of TV Documentary. The full story of this dig and the relatives in attendance etc is told in a new chapter creating a revised edition to Redkite Books superb volume “Dambusters” which has just been released…just thought anyone interested may like to know.
Kind regards Julian Evan-Hart
attached is FLICKR link showing ideas for the forthcoming remake – hope they are of interst
Thanks Charles for setting up the site.
I am sure I am not alone in developing a great fondness for the Dambusters when I first watched the film as a young boy. In fact I loved it so much that one day I went into the cinema in Bounds Green (NW London) when it opened and with the help of some sandwiches, saw it three times that day alone! It was possible to do it in those days.
Since then I have, when I can, visited Woodhall Spa, read what I can and have even purchased one of Gerald Coulson’s signed prints.
My mother and sister even arranged for a private showing of the film for me in a cinema for my 60th – that was such a brilliant surprise.
I am not sure why I developed this great fondness for all things ‘Dambusters’ but I am sure that one of them is the intense dedication and bravery of the men like your uncle.
Thanks again.
I’m really glad to have found this blog. My Mum and Dad brought me up watching b&w British postwar films on weekend TV, and the film captivated me from an early age. I’ve developed an obsession with the raid, people connected to it, and the film, which I caught as it was meant to be seen at Lancaster’s Duke’s Cinema a couple of years ago. Appreciate the courage of your uncle and his comrades, and your commitment to honouring that here.
As others have mentioned, I to am glad I found your blog, and as many have said before, I to have a great fascination for the ” Dambusters ”
So much so that I join a living history group many years ago called Ops 39-45 who are a bunch of people dedicated and very passionate about keeping the memory alive of all who served in the RAF during the war years. Ops, once a year, generally around the beginning of the year, had our AGM at the Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa, I’m sure I have no need to give any one a history lesson, our president, who has now passed, RIP, was a great man and respected friend by all who ever met him and widely loved and admire by people world wide, Mr Richard ( Toddy ) Todd. You can find Ops 39-45 at many event through out the year at many aviation event, especially Duxford ” Flying Legends ” , come and say hello. Gilly……..Out.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1967218/Fly-past-marks-Dambusters-anniversary.html
Pictures of this years anniversary flypast
Matthew — thanks for pointing this out, but the story relates to the flypast in 2008!
Charles Foster
hi there
congrats for such wonderful blog, feel free in posting in the Dambusters paeg I created in Facebook; it has almost 2,000 followers and is very active
a big hug from Santiago, Chile
Thanks for your efforts on this.
My father W/C D.A.MacLean(interesting initials!) flew as a navigator with Joe McCarthy on the Dams raid. My mother (who is still alive) was a WAAF wireless op for the raid as well.
I am, for some reason, a person who is fascinated by all things connected to The Dambusters. From almost the first time I saw the film when I was 7 or 8 I developed a tremendous appreciation of the men that flew and put therir lives on the line every time they went on a raid. You must be very proud of what he did during the war. I’m sure I would be.