Two pictures from Johnny Johnson’s flight over Scampton and the Derwent Dams this morning. (1) Sqn Ldr GL Johnson, MBE DFM, dressed in a flying suit preparing to board PA474. © R Bartlam
(2) PA474 approaching RAF Scampton © H Ellsworth
Johnson flies in BBMF Lancaster
Pic: BBMF
Twenty-four hours later than planned, George ‘Johnny’ Johnson was a passenger in the BBMF Lancaster this morning when it flew from Coningsby at about 0800. The Lancaster’s route took them over Scampton and the Derwent Dam before landing again at Scampton about an hour later. Johnny flew in the bomb aimer’s position, just as he did when he took off from Scampton 75 years ago yesterday on the Dams Raid.
The flight was postponed from yesterday by weather conditions. The fact that Johnny was always scheduled to be a passenger was a very well-kept secret, as it was feared that if it became known he was going to be on board the traffic problems would have been even worse.
More to follow
Seventy five years ago today: The Dams Raid
The men who took part in the Dams Raid. (Compilation picture © Dambusters Blog)
Today is the 75th anniversary of the day Operation Chastise took place, the official title given to the Dams Raid. One hundred and thirty three men in 19 Lancasters from 617 Squadron, each loaded with a (literally) revolutionary new weapon, climbed into the sky above RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire and set off towards Germany, skimming the treetops of the ground below them.
They would attack the Mohne, Eder, Sorpe and Ennepe Dams, breaching the first two and causing massive flood damage to the lands below them. Almost 1500 troops and civilians were killed by the raid, and 53 men from the eight aircraft which were shot down or crashed also died.
You can read the full story of all the 133 men who took part in the Dams Raid in my new book The Complete Dambusters, published by the History Press, out now in shops or available from online retailers.
For more information on how and where to buy the book, see the publisher’s web page here.
Hildenborough blue plaque to honour Brian Goodale
Rather belatedly, details have only just been sent to the blog about another blue plaque to honour a Dams Raid participant. This is the work of the Hildenborough Historical Society and it will be installed on the house in Riding Lane, Hildenborough, Kent, in which Brian Goodale lived with his family between 1919 and 1939. The plaque will be unveiled on Thursday 17 May, the anniversary of the raid, at 4pm.
On the night of the Dams Raid, Brian Goodale was the wireless operator in David Shannon’s aircraft, AJ-L. He had completed a full tour of operations in 51 Squadron and was working on instructional duties at the time he was posted to Shannon’s crew. He was a late recruit to the crew, and undertook his first training flight with his new skipper on 24 April 1943.
Wednesday’s dam flight likely to be called off, but may take place on Thursday
Tomorrow’s flight down Derbyshire’s Derwent valley by the BBMF Lancaster is likely to be called off, official BBMF sources say. However, Dambusters Blog understands that there is a possibility that the flight is simply being postponed, and may take place on Thursday 17 May – but only if weather conditions allow.
More information to follow.
Blue plaque for Doug Webb to be unveiled on 17 May
PIC: Yahya El Droubie
Seventy five years and four hours after his aircraft landed at Scampton after the Dams Raid, exhausted and with his bullet trays empty, Douglas Webb, the front gunner of AJ-O is to be honoured with a blue plaque on the house where he was born, 158 Richmond Road, London E11.
The plaque will be unveiled on Thursday 17 May at 10.00am. All welcome.
Historic Garbas-Garshowitz pose recreated for Dams Raid 75th anniversary
The nephews of Dams Raid veterans Frank Garbas and Albert Garshowitz recreated a historic wartime photograph in Canada shortly before leaving for England for the anniversary commemorations. Growing up in Hamilton, Ontario, the two young men had been childhood friends playing football and rugby for the same team. Both separately joined the RCAF shortly after the outbreak of war and then, after completing training, their paths crossed later as crews were being finalised for heavy bomber operations. Keen to renew their friendship, they joined the same crew, piloted by an Englishman, Max Stephenson.
Sadly Stephenson was killed when flying on another operation, so the crew were posted to 57 Squadron, based at RAF Scampton, with a new pilot, Flt Lt Bill Astell. After flying on a number of operations together, the whole crew were posted to a new squadron which was being formed at the same station. This was 617 Squadron.
Austell and his whole crew died when their aircraft, AJ-B, flying as part of the First Wave of the Dams Raid to attack the Mohne and Eder Dams, collied with a pylon near Marbeck in Germany.
After the war, Paul Morley, nephew of Frank Garbas, and Hartley Garshowitz, nephew of Albert Garshowitx, each started their own independent research into their uncles’ roles in the Dams Raid. Realising the connection, they made contact with each other and have been friends since. They travelled together last week to attend the UK ceremonies, but before embarking they posed for a joint photograph in front of VERA, the only flying Canadian Lancaster, which is based in their home town of Hamilton.
Full story in Hamilton Spectator
[Thanks to Lisa Morley]
Doncaster vandals steal Fraser plaque
The vandalised memorial stone in a Doncaster park. [Pic: Heather Allsworth]
In April 1943, Canadian airman Flt Sgt John Fraser was allowed special leave for one day from training for the Dams Raid in order to get married. His wife Doris came from Doncaster, and they had met while John was stationed at nearby RAF Finningley.
More than sixty years later, in July 2003, to honour of John and Doris Fraser, Doncaster Council decided to instal a bronze plaque in a local park, next to a tree which was planted in his memory by a group of people including Doris Fraser, her daughter Shere and two of the Fraser grandchildren. Representatives of the current 617 Squadron were also present to honour one of the squadron’s founder members.
Yesterday, Shere Fraser revisited the park and found, to her horror, that the plaque had been wrenched from the memorial stone and removed, presumably for a few pounds worth of scrap metal. Local police and local press have been informed, and if anyone has any further information they are asked to contact the authorities.
Below: the plaque photographed at the time of its installation.
Anniversary events at the RAF Museum
The RAF Museum’s Lancaster. Events to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Dams Raid will be held beneath its wings. [Pic: Geograph/Carlisle Kid]
The RAF Museum in Hendon, North London, has four free events to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Dams Raid. The first two need prebooking.
The Legend of the Dambusters Raid
Wednesday 16 May, 2pm
Under the wings of the Lancaster in the main exhibition hall.
Free to attend
Billed as an insightful look at the Dambusters Raid from 1943 and the story of the most famous raid by Bomber Command in the Second World War.
Tickets can be reserved here.
A Legacy of a Dambuster
Thursday 17 May, 2pm
Under the wings of the Lancaster in the main exhibition hall.
Free to attend
The legacy of one Dambuster, John Hopgood, and how his family are building dams in Africa. This talk is in partnership with the WaterAid charity. The speaker is Jenny Elmes, niece of John Hopgood, and author of his biography, M-Mother.
Tickets can be reserved here.
Dambuilding and Dambusting!
Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 May, 11am – 3pm
Free activity, just drop in
Families can come and be inspired by the legacy of the Dambuster John Hopgood and build sand dams. Artists Silvia Krupinska and Danny Saul are making an interactive art installation that visitors will be able to build and engage with. There will be multiple layers, textures and sounds for families to experience. This activity has been commissioned by the WaterAid charity, in partnership with the RAF Museum.
Lancaster Flypast
Saturday 19 May, 5.30pm
Free
The BBMF Lancaster will fly over the Museum. This will be one of the few opportunities in the London area to see it, so arrive early and have your cameras at the ready. Please be aware that flypasts are subject to suitable weather conditions both at the museum and at its take-off site.
John Wilkinson remembered in home village of Antrobus
Above: A new blue plaque in Antrobus Village Hall commemorating John Wilkinson.
The small Cheshire village of Antrobus was the birthplace and home of Sgt John Wilkinson, wireless operator in Vernon Byers’s AJ-K on the Dams Raid. The village held a special weekend of commemorative events on 6 and 7 May including a display at the War Memorial in the church, exhibitions about John Wilkinson, the Dambusters and Farming in the War. A special blue plaque was unveiled in the Village Hall.
Highlights included a special Flypast by a Dakota from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight to salute John Wilkinson and a display of model aircraft including an 11 foot Lancaster Bomber by the Liverpool Model Aircraft Society. The events also raised £1000 for the RAF Benevolent Fund.
Above: The BBMF Dakota performing a flyover salute to the commemorations
The newly re-formed 617 Squadron sent a special message to the organisers: ‘We’d like to offer the Squadron’s thanks [to the Village] for celebrating John’s life and remembering his sacrifice. 617 Squadron is very proud of its history and it’s so good to see others doing such good work to keep it alive.’
Many of Wilkinson’s relatives still live in the area. June Morris, Wilkinson’s niece, said on their behalf: ‘It was a very lovely fitting tribute to our late uncle.’
Below: Susan Sinagola of Antrobus presents a photograph of John Wilkinson to Mrs Phoenix of Antrobus Village School.
Dambusters Blog 