Below is a list of most of the events planned for the 70th anniversary of the Dams Raid.
Please note that there is an event planned on Friday 17 May at the Eder Dam in Germany, and any British people staying in the area at the time are especially asked to attend this. (See below.)
It’s unlikely now that I will update this complete list again before 16 May, but you will be able to see any new individual events added to the blog by clicking on this category link Dambusters 70th anniversary .
Monday 13 May-Friday 17 May
RAF Museum London
10.00am-6.00pm daily
Exhibition
Thursday 16 May
Derwent Reservoir/Chatsworth House both in Derbyshire
1.15pm approximately
BBMF Lancaster flypast
Please note that there will be severe traffic restrictions in the area around the Derwent Dam. No tickets are being issued, parking is severely limited, and the roads will be closed if they become overly busy. See here for full details. The Lancaster flyover will be followed by modern day Tornadoes from 617 Squadron.
The aircraft, which are expected to comprise the Lancaster, a Spitfire and a Hurricane (although this is not specified), will then fly on to Chatsworth at 1.20pm where, the RAF is keen to tell you, there is plenty of parking (costing £3 per vehicle) and opportunity to take pictures.
This may well be the better option unless you are willing to spend a lot of time either hiking cross country to the dam or waiting in very long traffic queues.
The Lancaster will also overfly the nearby town of Chapel-en-le-Frith to honour pilot Bill Astell, killed on the raid. Further details.
Thursday 16 May
RAF Museum Cosford
5.00pm
Special talk: ‘Operation Chastise – 70 years on, the successful failure’
Thursday 16 May
Barry War Museum
Barry Island, Vale of Glamorgan
7.00pm
Opening of exhibition of letters, photos and other articles that belong to the family of Sgt Gordon Yeo, front gunner in AJ-A on the Dams Raid. Further details.
Thursday 16 May
Outside broadcast from RAF Scampton
7.00-8.00pm
Live broadcast of Sunset Ceremony from RAF Scampton on BBC2.
RAF College Cranwell Band and The Queen’s Colour Squadron including the 617 Sqn Standard.
Flypast and landings by BBMF Lancaster and Spitfires, plus Tornadoes flown by today’s 617 Squadron.
Invited guests only at Scampton. Please do not ask for tickets!
Friday 17 May
Eder Dam (34549 Edertal – Hemfurth, Germany)
10.30am
Commemorative event and service
Local dignitaries and religious leaders will read messages and lay wreaths commemorating all those killed in that Dams Raid. A message from the current CO of 617 Squadron will be read. Any British people staying in the area over the period of the raid are particularly asked to attend to pay their respects. Further details from the Dambusters museum website or Facebook page.
Friday 17 May
Lincoln Cathedral
afternoon
All tickets for this event have been allocated but the BBMF Lancaster is expected to fly over the Cathedral.
Sunday 19 May
Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire
Morning
Service and unveiling of 617 Squadron post World War 2 memorial
Sunday 19 May
Brooklands Museum, Weybridge, Surrey
Dambusters Celebration
Bomber Command Veterans will be the special guests at Brooklands. Talks and exhibitions about Barnes Wallis. Further details.
Sunday 19 May
Derwent Reservoir (again!)
A six mile ‘Honour Walk’ around Derwent Reservoir.
12 noon.
Walk organised by Royal British Legion, starting and finishing at Fairholmes Visitor Centre. £5 per head or you can raise money with sponsorship. Further details.
Sunday 19 May
The Dambusters Project
Woodland Suite, Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa
7.00pm
Ticketed event. Further details.
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