The Dambusters – The Crews and their Bombers

The daring and iconic Dambuster raid (Operation Chastise) on 16th/17th May 1943 caught the public’s imagination at the time and thanks to the book and film has held it ever since. It matters not that its success in smashing the three dams was only partial – it was a triumph of scientific innovation combined with flying skill and courage.

In this fascinating book award-winning writer Nigel McCrery examines the events of that fateful unforgettable night raid from a new angle. Taking each Lancaster bomber in turn, he identifies every member of the crew and describes their lives, roles and fate – a horrific 53 of the 133-aircrew involved were killed during the raid. Those lost included 13 RCAF and two RAAF airmen. Many survivors were killed later in the War: Wing Commander Guy Gibson VC being one.

In addition, we learn how each of the 19 Lancasters fared. Only 11 returned and we learn what happened to these during the rest of the War.

Thanks to extensive research this is a moving and revealing exposé of the most famous bomber raid of the Second World War – or any war.