1943-2023: DAMBUSTERS

Seventy-seven returned-only 48 lived to tell the story Official Historian, No. 617 Squadron Association, Dr Robert Owen, recounts what happened next for the men who were immortalised by their role in the epic raid

- DR ROBERT OWEN

Of the 19 Lancasters that set out from RAF Scampton on Operation Chastise on the evening of 16 May 1943, only 11 returned. One hundred and thirty-three aircrew had trained for this epic mission, 53 had died and three would now spend the next two years as prisoners of war. However, for the remaining members of 617 Squadron, the war was far from over. Though basking in the glow of the audacious raid, more dangerous missions and special operations awaited 617’s airmen.

The first to leave the squadron was Flight Sergeant Cyril Anderson. One of the least experienced to fly on Chastise, he had experienced technical problems and was then forced off track by searchlights. Uncertain of his position he had abandoned his mission and returned home with his Upkeep bomb still onboard. Following a short interview with Wing Commander Gibson, the crew were immediately posted back to 49 Squadron. There they continued to operate with the main force, but ill fortune seemed to sit on their shoulders. On the night of 23 September 1943, they were all killed when their Lancaster was shot down by a night fighter near Offenbach while returning from an operation to Mannheim.

Others were more fortunate. Pilot Officer Bill Townsend who had been part of the reserve wave and attacked the Ennepe (or possibly the Bever) Dam – identification is uncertain – left 617 Squadron at the beginning of October 1943, deemed tour expired. Posted to the Conversion Unit at RAF Balderton, he subsequently spent the remainder of the war instructing, before being sent to India to fly Liberators in February 1945.