A 617 Squadron Lancaster dropping a dummy ‘Upkeep’ bomb during testing of the weapon at Reculver in Kent, a few days before the Dams Raid on 16/17 May 1943. [Pics: stills from film in the IWM collection]
The information originally published in this entry is now out of date. For the updated list of events in May 2018 go to this post: Dams Raid 75th anniversary: updated calendar of events.
Dambusters Blog 
I used to love attending the reunions with my late father both the Dams reunion (in which he did not take part) and also the Tirpitz reunion (in which he emphatically DID take part!
Freddie Watts DFC never forgotten.
Rose, the 617 Squadron Association welcomes close family of 617 Sqn personnel as members, which allows you to attend their Dambuster and Tirpitz dinners at the Sqn’s old Officers’ Mess at the Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa. You can contact the Association through their new website at http://617squadronassociation.org/contact-us-1.
Is Friday 18th May the DEFINITE date for the Unveiling of the memorial to the crew of AJ-A please ?
Andy — this date came from another source. It has yet to be confirmed by the Dutch organisers. As soon as I get further information, I will update this post. CF
My uncle, Norman Burrows was killed during the Dam Busters raid. I noticed that some of these events included invited family and wonder how I can find out more about this. Any thoughts?
Geoffrey — I will contact you by email to pass on further information. Best wishes — Charles
Geoffrey, the 617 Squadron Association welcomes close family of 617 Sqn personnel as members, which allows you to attend their Dambuster and Tirpitz dinners at the Sqn’s old Officers’ Mess at the Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa. You can contact the Association through their new website at http://617squadronassociation.org/contact-us-1.
Is there to be a ceremony at the Ladybower Dam for the 75th anniversary of the raids, I went to one for the 50th Anniversary and would dearly love to be part of it again, but as both my husband and I are both elderly we have to put everything into place before travelling. It would be such an honour to be able to attend another memorial there and witness the flypast. My husband is disabled and we have a small motor home so travel is not really a problem and neither is accommodation if we can find a campsite quite close. He is also a blue badge holder for parking.
Dear Mrs Evans
I think that it is very unlikely that there will be an official flyover at the Ladybower dam this year. Anything advertised in advance has the potential to cause massive traffic disruption and the local police are likely to object. If you want to see the Lancaster this summer, the best thing to keep checking the BBMF website. It will have details of 2018 events at which it can be seen. https://www.raf.mod.uk/bbmf
I too was fortunate to be amongst the 1000s of people to attend the flypast over Derwent Reservoir to mark the 50th Anniversary, with an uncle who survived more than 100 sorties during WWII and then the Berlin Airlift.
The advertised event was well organised, with pre-sold tickets and car parking/bus shuttle from the A57 up to the Derwent reservoir. The reservoir was ‘run down’ to provide a natural amphitheatre below the high water mark.
The display, including Lancaster, Mosquito and Red Arrows, was hugely evocative. It drove home too the tremendous skill of the aircrews – in real time it all happened so very quickly. Without doubt the best airshow I have seen and a most fitting tribute.
For whatever reason, the ‘Dambuster’ operation has become a symbol of national pride and respect for those who risked, and all to often gave, their lives in WWII. It would be a huge disappointment, indeed dare I say a disgrace, if there is no public event over Derwent Reservoir to mark the 75th Anniversary.
I believe your uncle and Hopgood each attended Marlborough College.I hope you may prevail upon them to commemorate these two among all the squadron at the 75th anniversary.J Johnson spoke to some of us at Wellesbourne during 70th anniversary and we have hopes he will do so again in March near Ashorne in Warwickshire.
For those interested a magnificent and moving day in Lancaster bomber “Just Jane”may be pursued at East Kirby airfield.
Do it! It’s an unforgettable and unique day
another Dambusters date: 16 May 2018 BBMF to overfly lakes including Eyebrook Reservoir near Corby. Time to be announced
hi will there be a flypast on the 16 of may over derwent dam ?
As I understand it, there is a possibility of a flypast at some time. but no details have yet been released. Charles
Thanks sir
Delighted to see there will be a flypast over Derwent on 16th May.
Details on BBMF website