Just to let everyone know, but the Dambusters website is back up and running again. I'm probably the last to know, but I thought I'd mention it. So visit http://www.dambusters.org.uk for a concise history of the greatest ever RAF squadron.
On BBC radio 4extra today (16th May 2018) - a repeat of a 2003 episode of "Reel Histories" : BBC Radio 4 Extra - Reel Histories - Dam Busters The most famous bombing mission in history was an operational success, but did the bouncing bomb do anything to shorten the Second World War? Decades on from 617 Squadron's raid on the Ruhr dams, historians still disagree over the real effects of one of the RAF's finest hours. Journalist Gerry Northam explores the history behind celluloid images of our past. To coincide with the anniversary of Operation Chastise: Operation Chastise - Wikipedia ....there was also a recent episode of the BBC radio series Witness and the BBC TV episode called: "Dam Busters Declassified" is due to be repeated (this evening) on Wednesday 16th May at 22:30: ref Dambusters
It's quite hard to see SW without seeing its myriad of influences. Samurai and Dune, Flash Gordan and Buck Rodgers, a lot of everything from everywhere.
Because this thread is recent, I ask the question here: Here in Germany, even "interested circles" are only superficially aware of the raid on the dams and it does not have a particularly prominent status. But it seems to me that the "Dambusters" have a special nimbus on the island. Where does this - for me - striking difference in perception come from?
This points to its quintessential "Britishness"... I'm not sure if German youtubers or podcasters have made a "reaction" to it, but from the point of view of Germans I have seen a few UK documentaries about the consequences of the raids which included interviews with Germans. A lot of the Nazi propaganda at the time also specifically downplayed the effects and focused on the rapidity of the repairs. Operation Chastise - Wikipedia In 1977, Article 56 of the Protocol I amendment to the Geneva Conventions outlawed attacks on dams "if such attack may cause the release of dangerous forces from the works or installations and consequent severe losses among the civilian population". There is however an exception if "it is used for other than its normal function and in regular, significant and direct support of military operations and if such attack is the only feasible way to terminate such support". -- x -- -- x --
Forcing the kids to watch the film when they're back from school as it's the 80th anniversary. My daughter has feigned interest but my son was already complaining this morning. Wish me luck.
16 May 2023 - 80th Anniversary flypast of Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster: The timings for the Lincolnshire fly overs are as follows: 01 • Spitalgate, Lincolnshire - 18:58 02 • Fulbeck, Lincolnshire - 19:02 03 • Swinderby, Lincolnshire - 19:04 04 • RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire - 19:07 05 • Lincoln- IBCC, Lincolnshire - 19:08 06 • Skellingthorpe, Lincolnshire - 19:12 07 • Scampton, Lincolnshire - 19:15 08 • Dunholme, Lincolnshire - 19:16 09 • Wickenby, Lincolnshire - 19:18 10 • Faldingworth, Lincolnshire - 19:19 11 • Ingham, Lincolnshire - 19:21 12 • Hemswell Cliff, Lincolnshire - 19:22 13 • Blyton, Lincolnshire - 19:24 14 • Elsham Wolds, Lincolnshire - 19:30 15 • Kirmington, Lincolnshire - 19:31 16 • North Killingholme, Lincolnshire - 19:32 17 • Grimsby, Lincolnshire - 19:37 18 • Binbrook, Lincolnshire - 19:39 19 • Ludford, Lincolnshire - 19:41 20 • Kelstern, Lincolnshire - 19:42 21 • Strubby, Lincolnshire - 19:47 22 • Spilsby, Lincolnshire - 19:51 23 • East Kirkby, Lincolnshire - 19:53 24 • Bardney, Lincolnshire - 19:58 25 • Fiskerton, Lincolnshire - 20:00 26 • Metheringham, Lincolnshire - 20:03 27 • Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire - 20:05 28 • RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire - 20:07 The plans to commemorate the anniversary will be subject to weather and serviceability caveats due to the nature of operating historic aircraft, and the timings published may be subject to change. QF - If you're driving on the A15 between 1915-1922 hours, be careful of 'rubber neckers'. Current Met forecast is cloudy.
Do facebook links work on here ? Lancaster... - Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Official) | By Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Official) | Lancaster PA474 is airborne, ready to commemorate Operation Chastise. Lest We Forget.
Opens well, for a non-facebook account holder. 80th Anniversary Flight. Just started to rain as she flew above Hemswell Cliff from Ingham and turned to port for Blyton. A minute's worth of magnificence: I counted 600 plus carfuls before I parked at my spot; good to see the flight well supported.
Dam Buster enthusiasts please don't cry! The photo below is of a print framed by my wife and her father before we married 44 years ago. It hung on the wall in my study for years but was replaced by a photo of our granddaughter. It was put on the wall of one of my sons rooms both of which should truthfully be called "Pits". We now intend to restore it for future viewing but as with many families, circumstances and priorities change. Grandpa might be heard rumbling in the sky if he saw it now, he was in the RAF in WW2 and behind the reason that I am here today. We also have signed prints of a Spitfire a Hurricane and I think a Halifax in various children's bedrooms. I might find my photos taken of a Lanc flying at St Mawgan sometime in the 80's. If I get time.
