Defying All Odds | Motorfinity

On 16 May in 1943, 19 Lancaster heavy bombers set off manned by 133 brave air crew on Operation Chastise, now known as the Dam Busters Raid. 53 brave young men were killed, and 3 were made prisoners of war.

617 Squadron were trained as a specialist precision bombing unit equipped to carry out an incredibly daring mission which would play an important part in boosting the morale of the nation at that time and significantly helping to protect the freedom we enjoy today.

The Lancasters had been specially adapted to carry Upkeep, the famous Bouncing Bomb developed by Barnes Wallis.

The bomb was colossal with ‘earthquake’ capabilities to help facilitate this raid - one of the most high-profile missions of the war.

The target? 3 dams in the Ruhr Valley.

Why? To put a halt on the Germans’ production of steel and bombs (which relied on the use of hydro-electricity), flood the surrounding areas and send an important (surprise) message to the German military.

The Avro Lancaster has a wingspan of 102 feet, is powered by 4 Rolls-Royce Merlin V-12 engines, and travelled at around 230 mph on that night.

To breach the dams using their load of Bouncing Bombs, the pilots needed to fly at just 60 feet above ground level and the approach was flanked by steep hills on either side of the dams.

Dangerous beyond imagination.

The Lancaster Bomber was said to be one of the most perilous places to be during WW2. But flying at 60 feet in enemy fortified territory? That’s a terrifying thought.

2 very vulnerable positions on the plane were at either end of its structure.

The bomb aimer laid on his tummy at the front underbelly of the plane whilst the rear gunner was stuck at the back of the plane in a small turret, doors closed behind him, cut off from the rest of the crew, with no protection from enemy fire power – the first target on attack from behind.

The life expectancy of the rear gunner was 5 sorties – probably 6-8 weeks.

Flight Sergeant and rear gunner of one of the Lancasters to fly into the Ruhr Valley on that iconic mission was Thomas ‘Tammy’ Simpson.

This is an excerpt from his account of the raid:

‘The store (bomb) was dropped correctly and we didn’t have time to do much other than blaze away as Mick passed over the top with a foot or two to spare. I felt pretty mad about the whole business.  Actually speaking, we were all sitting ducks if the Jerry gunners had been on the ball or steadier with their aim.  As we passed over the dam face there was an awful thud .  We had been hit somewhere.  We turned hard to port after we crossed over the dame wall.  Toby (Foxlee) and I belted at the flack towers on the dam.  There wasn't much daylight between the belly of our aircraft and the top of the dam wall as we swooped across dead centre between the two towers on the top of the dam...’

Defying all odds, Thomas ‘Tammy’ Simpson survived the mission and carried on his campaign on his return flying 14 sorties with 617 squadron and 37 in total!

His book, ‘Lower Than Low’ is his account of the incredible feat of the Dam Busters.

Motorfinity HQ is situated close to Bomber County and we recently spent a day learning about local men and those from the Commonwealth who played their part in the operations that night.

We wish to extend our thanks to Ady Longmate of @Hutchinson’s Engineering Ltd and everyone involved in the @Bomber County Gateway Trust for all their hospitality and tireless work to ensure that those, who protected the freedom we enjoy today, are never forgotten.

To learn more about the @Bomber County Gateway Trust and their wonderful, titanic project, ‘On Freedom’s Wings’, visit: https://www.bombergatewaytrust.co.uk/

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