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Dambusters remembered 65 years on Dambusters remembered 65 years on
(about 1 hour later)
A service and fly-past has been held to mark the 65th anniversary of the World War II Dambusters mission.A service and fly-past has been held to mark the 65th anniversary of the World War II Dambusters mission.
A Lancaster bomber flew over Derwent Reservoir in Derbyshire, which was used by the original pilots to train ahead of their famous raid.A Lancaster bomber flew over Derwent Reservoir in Derbyshire, which was used by the original pilots to train ahead of their famous raid.
In 1943, the RAF's 617 Squadron set out to destroy three dams in Germany's Ruhr valley. They managed to breach two, giving a boost to Britain's war effort.In 1943, the RAF's 617 Squadron set out to destroy three dams in Germany's Ruhr valley. They managed to breach two, giving a boost to Britain's war effort.
The service remembered the eight aircraft and 53 crew who were lost.The service remembered the eight aircraft and 53 crew who were lost.
A Spitfire, a Hurricane, two Tornadoes and a Dakota transport plane joined the fly-past.A Spitfire, a Hurricane, two Tornadoes and a Dakota transport plane joined the fly-past.
They travelled from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire to take part. Most of them travelled from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire to take part.
Sqn Ldr Les Munro, the last surviving pilot from the mission which was codenamed Operation Chastise, was a guest of honour.Sqn Ldr Les Munro, the last surviving pilot from the mission which was codenamed Operation Chastise, was a guest of honour.
Also present was Michael Gibson whose uncle, Wing Cdr Guy Gibson, led the Dambusters.Also present was Michael Gibson whose uncle, Wing Cdr Guy Gibson, led the Dambusters.
The nephew of Wing Cdr Guy Gibson (centre) attended the serviceThe nephew of Wing Cdr Guy Gibson (centre) attended the service
During the service, 88-year-old Richard Todd, who played Mr Gibson in the 1954 film The Dambusters, laid poppies on the water of the reservoir.During the service, 88-year-old Richard Todd, who played Mr Gibson in the 1954 film The Dambusters, laid poppies on the water of the reservoir.
On 16 May 1943, 19 aircraft set out to destroy the Mohne, Eder and Sorpe dams in Germany's industrial heartland.On 16 May 1943, 19 aircraft set out to destroy the Mohne, Eder and Sorpe dams in Germany's industrial heartland.
They used specially-designed drum-shaped bouncing bombs which skimmed across the water, rolled down the dam wall and exploded at depth.They used specially-designed drum-shaped bouncing bombs which skimmed across the water, rolled down the dam wall and exploded at depth.
They were the brainchild of legendary aviation engineer Sir Barnes Wallis, who was knighted in 1971.They were the brainchild of legendary aviation engineer Sir Barnes Wallis, who was knighted in 1971.