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| Dambuster George 'Johnny' Johnson celebrates 100th birthday | Dambuster George 'Johnny' Johnson celebrates 100th birthday |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Mr Johnson paid tribute to care home staff | Mr Johnson paid tribute to care home staff |
| The last British survivor of the World War Two Dambusters raid is celebrating his 100th birthday. | The last British survivor of the World War Two Dambusters raid is celebrating his 100th birthday. |
| Sq Ldr George "Johnny" Johnson, who lives in Bristol, was a bomb-aimer during the daring operation. | Sq Ldr George "Johnny" Johnson, who lives in Bristol, was a bomb-aimer during the daring operation. |
| He was made an MBE in 2017 after a long-running campaign which was supported by celebrities such as TV presenter Carol Vorderman. | He was made an MBE in 2017 after a long-running campaign which was supported by celebrities such as TV presenter Carol Vorderman. |
| Mr Johnson was just 21 when he took part in the 1943 operation, which involved experimental bouncing bombs. | |
| "I've had a very lucky life in every respect." said Mr Johnson, on reaching 100 years of age. | "I've had a very lucky life in every respect." said Mr Johnson, on reaching 100 years of age. |
| "Firstly meeting my lovely wife and our family we produced. That family have been my support for last several years". | "Firstly meeting my lovely wife and our family we produced. That family have been my support for last several years". |
| Mr Johnson was joined by friends and family to mark his 100th birthday | Mr Johnson was joined by friends and family to mark his 100th birthday |
| Catering staff made his favourite cake, chocolate fudge | Catering staff made his favourite cake, chocolate fudge |
| Mr Johnson was involved in the raid that targeted dams in the Ruhr Valley in Germany's industrial heartland, releasing huge quantities of water into areas used by Germany for war production. | Mr Johnson was involved in the raid that targeted dams in the Ruhr Valley in Germany's industrial heartland, releasing huge quantities of water into areas used by Germany for war production. |
| On 16 and 17 May 1943, a total of 133 Allied aircrew took part in the pivotal attack aboard 19 Lancaster bombers, carrying Barnes Wallis' specially-adapted bombs - that looked like "glorified dustbins", according to Mr Johnson - led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson. | On 16 and 17 May 1943, a total of 133 Allied aircrew took part in the pivotal attack aboard 19 Lancaster bombers, carrying Barnes Wallis' specially-adapted bombs - that looked like "glorified dustbins", according to Mr Johnson - led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson. |
| The Möhne Dam in North Rhine-Westphalia after being bombed during Operation Chastise | The Möhne Dam in North Rhine-Westphalia after being bombed during Operation Chastise |
| Mr Johnson, who was born in Lincolnshire, said being a Dambuster was a "thrilling experience" and he felt "honoured to have had the chance to take part". | Mr Johnson, who was born in Lincolnshire, said being a Dambuster was a "thrilling experience" and he felt "honoured to have had the chance to take part". |
| It was his job to target the Sorpe Dam as part of the attack, which was codenamed Operation Chastise and carried out by the RAF's 617 Squadron, based at RAF Scampton. | It was his job to target the Sorpe Dam as part of the attack, which was codenamed Operation Chastise and carried out by the RAF's 617 Squadron, based at RAF Scampton. |
| Medal for raid hero | Medal for raid hero |
| Faces of the Dambusters | Faces of the Dambusters |
| It was one of the most dangerous air operations of the war, with 53 men killed and three captured. | It was one of the most dangerous air operations of the war, with 53 men killed and three captured. |
| In 2019 Mr Johnson, who now lives in Westbury-on-Trym in north Bristol, had an inter-city train named after him and was also given an honorary doctorate by the University of Lincoln in 2017. | In 2019 Mr Johnson, who now lives in Westbury-on-Trym in north Bristol, had an inter-city train named after him and was also given an honorary doctorate by the University of Lincoln in 2017. |
| After World War Two he worked as a teacher in Newark in Nottinghamshire. | After World War Two he worked as a teacher in Newark in Nottinghamshire. |
| Sgt George Johnson (extreme left) was part of 617 Squadron based at Scampton, Lincolnshire | Sgt George Johnson (extreme left) was part of 617 Squadron based at Scampton, Lincolnshire |
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