Royal British Legion

The Dambusters Raid 80 years on. A commemorative flight to honour those who took part in the famous raid.

In support of the RBL, we are bringing the history of the famous Dambusters raid back to life on the 80th anniversary, flying our PA44 - P for Popsie

In support of the RBL, we are bringing the history of the famous Dambusters raid back to life on the 80th anniversary, flying our PA44 - P for Popsie

My Story

Follow our journey on Instagram @ P_for_Popsie

The History.

On 16 May 1943, a daring raid was undertaken by 617 Sqn of RAF Bomber Command. The raid was code named Operation Chastise and led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson VC. The aim was to shorten WW2 by destroying dams in the Rhur valley, disrupting the Nazi industrial war machine. This operation became known as "The Dambusters Raid". The task was given to 133 airmen of 617 Sqn to infiltrate fortress Europe flying 19 Lancaster Bombers at night around 100ft above the ground, navigating through air defenses and dropping their 'Bouncing Bombs' (developed by Barnes Wallis) onto 3 hydroelectric dams. By the end of the night the Möhne and Eder dams had been breached, flooding the Rhur valley. The Sorpe dam was damaged and only 11 of 19 Lancasters had returned home to RAF Scampton. 53 airmen had lost their lives as well as an estimated 1600 casualties on the ground. 3 airmen abandoned their aircraft after being shot down and were captured. The mission had succeeded but at great cost. Most of those who survived the raid did not see the end of the war.

The Challenge.

Pilots, Jason Davidson and Simon Shackell will undertake a commemorative flight to recognise the technical skill, ingenuity and courage of those who conceived, planned and conducted the mission, probably the greatest air raid of the war. This endeavour is enabled by the support and generosity of the Sparks family from Horizon Flight Training who have allowed us to redecorate their PA44. We are also supported by Paul Fearn who who will be our photographer for the trip, volunteering his services to tell the story and bring you along.

This endeavour is not to simply glorify the actions of 617 Sqn, but also to reflect on the loss of life and horrors of war on both sides. The flight is following the rules of 'Pooleys Dawn to Dusk' challenge, an aviation competition. So in keeping with the rules, our flight will take place during daylight. Should any prize money be awarded by Pooleys, it will also be donated to charity.

On 16 May 2023, the 80th anniversary of the Operation, we will depart former RAF St Athan airfield on a flight to pass over 8 locations connected with the testing and preparation of the raid. Unfortunately, we don't have our own Lancaster Bomber, but we will conduct the flight in a multi engine light aircraft at speed, low level where safe to do so and using only maps, stopwatch and compass to navigate as the crews did.

The Route.

We will pass over the following 8 locations, 1 for every decade since the raid:

1. Chesil beach, Dorset. Testing location for bouncing bombs under the code name 'High Ball'.

2. Reculver Bay in Kent. Testing location of the bouncing bomb drops, code name 'Up Keep'.

3. East Kirkby, Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre. A unique living museum to Bomber Command and home of 'Just Jane', a ground running Lancaster Bomber which offers taxi rides. https://www.lincsaviation.co.uk

4. The Dam Busters Memorial, Woodhall Spa.

5. RAF Scampton, the war time home of 617 Sqn and the location where the raid was launched.

6. Derwent Dam, West of Sheffield. A location closely resembling the Möhne Dam with its difficult terrain where the Sqn practised for the raid.

7. Nant-y-Gro Dam in Elan Valley, Mid Wales. The site where Barnes Wallis successfully demonstrated the concept of the depth charge mine to attack a dam.

8. Our last visit will be an overflight of Wing Commander Guy Gibson's  memorial at Penarth. This was his war time home and a fitting place to complete our journey.

This venture will be demanding and greatly rewarding for us, and we want to share in our journey by creating something memorable in the form of a mini documentary, honoring our military history whilst supporting our armed forces and veterans. We hope you can join us in support of the Royal British Legion by giving a small donation. All donations go direct to the charity where they can provide help and support immediately.

The Charity.

The Royal British Legion are the UK's leading charity providing financial, social and emotional support to millions who have served and are currently serving in the British Armed Forces and their dependents.

Charity Registration No. 219279.

Thank you.

33%

Funded

  • Target
    £9,250
  • Raised so far
    £3,076
  • Number of donors
    103

My Story

Follow our journey on Instagram @ P_for_Popsie

The History.

On 16 May 1943, a daring raid was undertaken by 617 Sqn of RAF Bomber Command. The raid was code named Operation Chastise and led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson VC. The aim was to shorten WW2 by destroying dams in the Rhur valley, disrupting the Nazi industrial war machine. This operation became known as "The Dambusters Raid". The task was given to 133 airmen of 617 Sqn to infiltrate fortress Europe flying 19 Lancaster Bombers at night around 100ft above the ground, navigating through air defenses and dropping their 'Bouncing Bombs' (developed by Barnes Wallis) onto 3 hydroelectric dams. By the end of the night the Möhne and Eder dams had been breached, flooding the Rhur valley. The Sorpe dam was damaged and only 11 of 19 Lancasters had returned home to RAF Scampton. 53 airmen had lost their lives as well as an estimated 1600 casualties on the ground. 3 airmen abandoned their aircraft after being shot down and were captured. The mission had succeeded but at great cost. Most of those who survived the raid did not see the end of the war.

The Challenge.

Pilots, Jason Davidson and Simon Shackell will undertake a commemorative flight to recognise the technical skill, ingenuity and courage of those who conceived, planned and conducted the mission, probably the greatest air raid of the war. This endeavour is enabled by the support and generosity of the Sparks family from Horizon Flight Training who have allowed us to redecorate their PA44. We are also supported by Paul Fearn who who will be our photographer for the trip, volunteering his services to tell the story and bring you along.

This endeavour is not to simply glorify the actions of 617 Sqn, but also to reflect on the loss of life and horrors of war on both sides. The flight is following the rules of 'Pooleys Dawn to Dusk' challenge, an aviation competition. So in keeping with the rules, our flight will take place during daylight. Should any prize money be awarded by Pooleys, it will also be donated to charity.

On 16 May 2023, the 80th anniversary of the Operation, we will depart former RAF St Athan airfield on a flight to pass over 8 locations connected with the testing and preparation of the raid. Unfortunately, we don't have our own Lancaster Bomber, but we will conduct the flight in a multi engine light aircraft at speed, low level where safe to do so and using only maps, stopwatch and compass to navigate as the crews did.

The Route.

We will pass over the following 8 locations, 1 for every decade since the raid:

1. Chesil beach, Dorset. Testing location for bouncing bombs under the code name 'High Ball'.

2. Reculver Bay in Kent. Testing location of the bouncing bomb drops, code name 'Up Keep'.

3. East Kirkby, Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre. A unique living museum to Bomber Command and home of 'Just Jane', a ground running Lancaster Bomber which offers taxi rides. https://www.lincsaviation.co.uk

4. The Dam Busters Memorial, Woodhall Spa.

5. RAF Scampton, the war time home of 617 Sqn and the location where the raid was launched.

6. Derwent Dam, West of Sheffield. A location closely resembling the Möhne Dam with its difficult terrain where the Sqn practised for the raid.

7. Nant-y-Gro Dam in Elan Valley, Mid Wales. The site where Barnes Wallis successfully demonstrated the concept of the depth charge mine to attack a dam.

8. Our last visit will be an overflight of Wing Commander Guy Gibson's  memorial at Penarth. This was his war time home and a fitting place to complete our journey.

This venture will be demanding and greatly rewarding for us, and we want to share in our journey by creating something memorable in the form of a mini documentary, honoring our military history whilst supporting our armed forces and veterans. We hope you can join us in support of the Royal British Legion by giving a small donation. All donations go direct to the charity where they can provide help and support immediately.

The Charity.

The Royal British Legion are the UK's leading charity providing financial, social and emotional support to millions who have served and are currently serving in the British Armed Forces and their dependents.

Charity Registration No. 219279.

Thank you.