THE HIGH PEAK DAMBUSTER

A chance discussion with my neighbour Norma when I bumped into her on a dog walk turned into an incredible journey of discovery into what really happened during the most famous of all wartime stories – The Dambusters.

Norma’s uncle, Jack Marriott was one of the Dambusters, the Flight Engineer of AJ-Z who was sadly, but mysteriously killed on his way home from the Dams.

Even though everybody has heard of the Dambusters, in reality most people know very little. What is generally known is based on the 1955 film, and as good as it is, and it’s very good, it has lots of inaccuracies, and at the time it was made some of the details of the raid were still subject to the official secrets act. In the film Jack’s Lancaster was shown crashing near to the Eder Dam, but in reality, it had dropped its ‘Bouncing Bomb’ and managed to fly part of the way home before being shot down as it approached the Dutch border.

My research into the Dambusters story led to discussions with some of the leading experts on the subject and has resulted in a book which describes Jack’s life and the true details of what happened that night on the 16/17 May 1943 when he and 52 of his fellow airmen lost their lives. Jack’s story didn’t end that night and it continues right up to the present day.

My book which includes some unique documents – Jack Marriott the High Peak Dambuster published by Pen and Sword is available to pre-order now from:

https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-High-Peak-Dambuster-Hardback/p/20520

or for signed copies email books@pleszak.com

For a minute by minute account of the Dambuster raid see my blog https://pleszak.blog/2022/05/16/operation-chastise-the-dambusters/

My other Dambuster / Lancaster related blogs:

Operation Chastise – The Dambusters a minute-by-minute account
https://pleszak.blog/2022/05/16/operation-chastise-the-dambusters/

The day a Lincoln bombed a Lancaster, and a Meteor shot a Meteor shooting a Lincoln
https://pleszak.blog/2022/01/01/the-day-a-lincoln-bombed-a-lancaster-and-a-meteor-shot-a-meteor-shooting-a-lincoln/

Milk run over the Eder Dam
https://pleszak.blog/2020/07/13/milk-run-over-the-eder-dam/

Lancaster bombers operated by the Soviet Air Force in WW2
https://pleszak.blog/2019/12/05/lancaster-bombers-operated-by-the-russian-airforce-in-ww2/

What happened to the Lancasters used on the Dambuster Raid?
https://pleszak.blog/2019/08/20/what-happened-to-the-lancasters-used-on-the-dambuster-raid/

From Manchester to Lincoln via Lancaster – An aviation aristocracy family tree
https://pleszak.blog/2019/05/07/from-manchester-to-lincoln-via-lancaster-an-aviation-aristocracy-family-tree/

Testing and training for the Dambuster Raids – what’s left to see?
https://pleszak.blog/2018/06/13/testing-and-training-for-the-dambuster-raids-whats-left-to-see/