Several hundred people are now expected to attend the unveiling of the memorial to the Dams Raid crew of Lancaster AJ-E, scheduled for 1100 local time on Sunday 17 May at Haldern, near Rees in Germany.
Above, you can see the memorial stone and foundation being installed. It is an impressive piece of work, and we are all much indebted to the local people and traders who have worked so hard to bring the project to fruition.
The good news is that the weather is expected to remain dry, although with a maximum temperature of 16ºC a jacket is probably advisable.
Please also note that there will be no parking at the site itself, except for those needing disabled access. Parking will be available approximately 500m away, so be prepared to walk.
If you are visiting the area for the first time, you might also like to know that Reichswald Forest War Cemetery is about 40km away. This is the last resting place of the crew of AJ-E, captained by Norman Barlow, and three other Dams Raid crews – those captained by Henry Maudslay (AJ-Z), Bill Astell (AJ-B) and Bill Ottley (AJ-C).
Finally, if you are there on Sunday and are a reader of Dambusters Blog, come over and say hello. And spread the word to your friends and acquaintances!
Dambusters Blog 
As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.
-Ernest Binyon
I so wish I was able to be there on Sunday, but be assured I will be thinking of you all.
I hope the wether is kind to you and that everyone has an enjoyable and rewarding day.
Particular mention must be made of Volker and the people of Haldern, without whose compassion, interest and enthusiasm there would be no AJ-E Memorial.
Lest We Forget.
Graeme Jensen, Newcastle Australia.
I’m also there on sunday.As a volunteer photographer from findagrave I took a lot of pictures of the graves on the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. If someone wants to visit after the ceremony just join me. I can be your guide. Some pictures of the ceremony will be posted on my wargraves volunteer photographers page on facebook.
http://www.facebook.com/wargravesphotographers
Perhaps we’ll meet on sunday.
Kind regards: Mitch
Hi Charles
Bit late but many thanks to all involved in the event. It was great to meet and Thank you personally for all that you do to honour and remember. My wife and I will never forget the day. What a privilege to be there.
What a shame that we also went to the Mohne Dam again and saw the words at a new memorial being unveiled on the same day. Understandable maybe but disagreeable in my eyes.. Most certainly.
Andy Smith