A remarkable event commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Dams Raid took place at the Eder Dam in Germany on 17 May. It was organised by the local Dambusters Museum Germany, directed by Herr Oliver Köhler.

Representatives of the services from the wartime Allied countries saluting during the ceremony.

Minister of Justice, Ms Eva-Kühne Hörmann, representing the regional government of Hesse.

Group Captain Smith speaking on behalf of the British Embassy.

Herr Stegner, representative of local Liberal Party, Waldeck.

Rev Downes, military chaplain, British army.

Band of the Royal Artillery, British army.

Plaque placed on the Eder Dam.

Herr Oliver Köhler, Director, Dambuster Museum, Germany.

All pictures © Wim Govaerts. 

 

Herr Oliver Köhler of the Dambusters Museum Germany, situated at the Eder Dam, pictured on the dam wall in 2013. [Pic: Harry Foster]

One of the most significant events to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Dams Raid will take place at the Eder Dam in Germany on 17 May. This is being organised by the local Dambusters Museum Germany which is run by local historian Herr Oliver Köhler.

The event will begin at 1100 local time on the wall of the dam, and will be attended by local dignitaries and political leaders, and representatives from the embassies of Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the USA and France. The state of Hesse will be represented by the Minister of Justice, Ms Eva-Kühne Hörmann.

Forty-seven people died in the Eder valley when the dam was breached on the night of 16/17 May 1943. There was a much larger number of casualties in the Möhne region: 1294 people died, including 749 ‘foreigners’ of whom 493 were Ukranian women labourers, ordered back to their camp for safely when the air raid warnings were sounded.

Fifty-three men from 617 Squadron died during the raid.

On 17 May 2018, we will remember them all.

Further information from the Dambusters Museum Germany website.