There were many locations around the UK that had some connection with the story of Operation Chastise – the Dambusters. In this blog I list the sites that have (or had) some relevance to the Dambuster story. I also list the home location of the 133 aircrew that took part that nigh of 16 -17 … More Dambuster Locations
Sergeant John Edward Monaghan (RAFVR 1589458). From December 1943 Sergeant John spent over a year training as an aircrew Wireless Operator. Initially on DeHavilland Dominie and Percival Proctors he progressed through Avro Ansons and Vickers Wellingtons before converting to Avro Lancasters with a mainly Canadian crew at 1656 HCU. In this first clip John explains … More John Monaghan Avro Lancaster Wireless Operator Interview
This blog is to describe what is now mainly the legacy of the major sites of aviation around the Manchester area. It is intended to be an organic document which I will update, modify and correct so would be grateful for any suggestions. The first instalment is a map of the Manchester area showing major … More Manchester’s Aviation Legacy
For those that missed the piece on BBC North West Tonight on the 16th May filmed at the Avro Heritage Museum in Woodford about the anniversary of the Dambusters and were gutted that it was only available on iPlayer for a couple of days, well the BBC have sent me the clip but it’s too … More Dambusters 80th anniversary on BBC North West Tonight
When 617 Squadron (initially known as Squadron X) was formed in March 1943, Lancaster squadrons Bomber Command were requested to donate suitable aircrew for a special operation. It seems that crews volunteered or were recommended, either as full crews or as individual crew members. The following list gives the 133 names of the aircrew that … More RAF Squadrons that provided crews to 617 Dambuster Squadron
Discussions about attacking dams in Germany in the event of conflict in Europe had started before WW2. In late 1940 Wallis had taken his idea of attacking the Möhne and Eder Dams to the Building Research Establishment (BRE), or as it was known at that time the Building Research Station (BRS) near Watford where engineering … More All the Dambuster Dams
A minute-by-minute account of the famous Dambuster Raid by 19 special Avro Lancaster bombers and their ‘Bouncing Bombs’ which took place during the evening of 16 – 17 May 1943. My book, with some unique documents, gives the true storey of the Flight Engineer of Dambuster Z-Zebra. My book which includes some unique documents – … More Operation Chastise – The Dambusters a minute-by-minute account
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, … More THE HIGH PEAK DAMBUSTER
Argentina, and the day – Saturday the 17th of September 1955. It was the second day of the Revolución Libertadora: the Liberation Revolution in which Argentinian rebels, including sections of the military, rose up against the government of General Juan Domingo Perón. After several days of bloody fighting rebel forces overthrew those loyal to the … More The day a Lincoln bombed a Lancaster, and a Meteor shot a Meteor shooting a Lincoln
Whilst researching the Dambuster attack on the Eder Dam I came across an interesting snippet of history. It was told to me by my sister’s friend G.C. who was in the RAF in the early 50s. In 1952 G.C. was based in Germany at RAF Wahn which is now the modern day Cologne Bonn International … More Milk run over the Eder Dam
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