On the night of 16th/17th May 1943 Wing Commander Guy Gibson led a small force of 19 Lancaster's of  617 Squadron on what was to become one of the most daring and ingenious raids in history.  Flying from RAF Scampton their mission - code named Operation Chastise - was to breach the mighty hydroelectric dams of the Ruhr, Mohne, Eder and Sorpe, a task which Arthur Harris had earlier described as impossible.

Months of preparation had preceded the attack with the Squadron practicing the use of their unique bouncing bombs - code named Upkeep - the brain child of the brilliant Barnes Wallis.  The actual targets were only revealed to the crew's a short time before their departure however this elite unit were under no illusions as to the dangers of their mission.  Flying at altitudes as low as fifty feet and observing strict radio silence they would face heavy flak and ground fire crossing Holland to Germany.  On the run in to the target, using their height finding spotlights they would have to fly in complete darkness at precisely 60 feet before their lethal cargo could be released.

Gerald Coulson has used his undeniable skills to recreate the attack on the Mohne Dam as Mick Martin's aircraft pulls away from the target. His 9,250lb bomb explodes behind him and although not actually breaching the dam wall, sends a huge plume of water into the air leaving a fine mist hanging in the atmosphere.  Guy Gibson having already made his run flies to Martin's right, lights on full drawing gun fire from the towers. Below them the power station hit by John Hopgood's bomb on the previous run is still engulfed in flames.

The Dambusters Raid was probably the most brilliant air attack of the Second World War but the success was not without its cost.  Of the 19 aircraft that took part in the mission eight failed to return, in fact only 6 returned unscathed, with the loss of 53 aircrew.  The destruction of the Mohne and Eder Dams released over 150 million gallons of water into the Ruhr valley and caused widespread flooding and severe interruption to industry, communications and various utilities.  One of the most important consequences was that over 20,000 men had to be redeployed by the enemy to repair the damage.

Flight Lieutenant Mick Martin readies his crew to release their bouncing bomb as he makes his run in to the Mohne Dam.  Flanking him is the Lancaster of Wing Commander Guy Gibson, using his aircraft to draw flak from the gunners along the dam.