75 Years Ago: The Dambusters Raid

A Daring Mission

In September 1943, the Allies launched a daring air raid against several dams in Germany. The mission, known as the Dambusters Raid, was led by British Air Chief Marshal Arthur "Bomber" Harris and involved 19 Lancaster bombers. The raid was a success, and it caused significant damage to the German war effort.

Background

The Dambusters Raid was conceived in 1942, after the Allies realized that the German dams were a potential target. The dams were providing water to the German industrial heartland, and their destruction would have a significant impact on the German war effort. However, the dams were heavily defended, and a conventional bombing raid would have been ineffective.

The Plan

The Dambusters Raid was planned by a team of engineers and scientists, led by Barnes Wallis. Wallis developed a new type of bomb, known as the "bouncing bomb." The bomb was designed to skip across the water and hit the dam at the base. This would create a hole in the dam, and the water pressure would cause the dam to collapse.

The Raid

On the night of September 16, 1943, 19 Lancaster bombers took off from RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire. The bombers flew over Germany and approached the dams at low level. The bombs were dropped, and several of the dams were damaged.

The Aftermath

The Dambusters Raid was a success, and it caused significant damage to the German war effort. The raid also had a major impact on public morale in both Britain and Germany.