Summary: The Incredible Story Of The Dambusters Raid

The Germans were gaining power, and in an effort to stop them, the RAF (Royal Air Force) launched a mission to destroy the German’s dams. This raid is often referred to as “Operation Chastise.” During the operation they used a special bomb often referred to as “Upkeep.” This bomb was a fundamental factor in success during World War II. The idea of making a bomb to destroy the dams was thought of by a brilliant scientist, Barnes Wallis. In the article “The Incredible Story Of The Dambusters Raid” it states “The Möhne dam in Germany's Ruhr valley secured the water supply for much of the surrounding area. Water from its reservoir was also used to generate electricity. It was thought that destruction of this dam and others in the region would cause

If the bomb hit the water too hard, it would detonate prematurely, causing damage to the aircraft above, but no damage to the dam.” Wallis knew the bomb had to have a spin so it could travel across the water, and hit the dam before it exploded. He wanted to construct the bomb so it could have maximum damage to the dam. In the text “Secrets of the Dead: Bombing Nazi Dams” “The commander of Squadron 617, 24-year-old Guy Gibson, had already completed 170 sorties by the time he was chosen to lead the mission. Operation Chastise was so top-secret that Gibson was at first told nothing of the task that lay before him, other than that he needed to train his pilots rigorously in the art of low level flying. Eventually, the pilots simulated the nighttime conditions under which they would fly into the Ruhr by fixing blue Perspex plastic into their cockpits and wearing amber-tinted goggles.” The team had to forgo intense and often dangerous training to prepare for this mission. Once the bomb had been made, the mission was underway. 9. At the end of the session. In the article “The Incredible Story Of The Dambuster Raid” it says “From 9.28pm on 16 May, 133 aircrew in 19 Lancasters took off in three waves to bomb