The Lancaster Bomber of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flies low over the Derwent reservoir dam, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the raid by 617 ‘Dambusters’ on the night 16-17 May 1943.
Image details
Contributor:
Michael Gibson / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
D814P8File size:
31.8 MB (1.9 MB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?Dimensions:
4092 x 2717 px | 34.6 x 23 cm | 13.6 x 9.1 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
16 May 2013Location:
Derwent Reservoir Dam, Derbyshire, England UKMore information:
This image could have imperfections as it’s either historical or reportage.
A special squadron, numbered 617, was formed at RAF Scampton and became part of 5 group, RAF Bomber Command. 617 was commanded by 24 year old Wing Commander Guy Gibson, a distinguished bomber pilot, who had also participated in the first rather shambolic raid by Bomber Command in 1939. 5 Gp was commanded by Air Commodore Chochrane, Bomber Command by Arthur Harris, and the RAF Commanded by Charles Portal - all hardened veterans from World War 1. It is a testament to the bravery of 617's crews that there were so many decorations at the end of the raid - the most celebrated being Guy Gibson's VC. Several lakes dams and reservoirs were used by 617 Squadron to practice attacks in preparation for the famous 'Dambusters' attack on the Rhur dams on 16/17 May 1943. 617 trained hard in low level navigation at night, and against specially selected 'practice targets' of which the Derwent Reservoir (pictured on the 70th anniversary) is the most well known. Although the need to attack the dams was recognised before the War, it is a remarkable achievement of innovation to have developed a weapon, formed and trained a squadron in radically different tactics and delivered a 'result' in only a few months of 1943.