My late father was a senior NCO on searchlights during WW2. His battery and accompanying AA guns were stationed to the Elan valley dams in central Wales to protect the dams there after the dambusters raid took place. Elan supplies water for Birmingham. I ofter wonder if this was because an upkeep mine was lost intact during the raid and we were worried that the Germans would re-engineer the weapon for their own use against us.
Can´t remember which documentary (or-ies) it was. (Probably have it on video tape somewhere). But it is true the mine from Barlow´s aircraft was recovered and examined and a written report produced. The Germans investigated as much as possible (they also had 3 prisoners, but I have no idea how useful they were) and a film was taken, later, of a similar weapon bouncing over the water with what looks like a small rocket pushing it along - and it went quite a distance. But I don´t believe it was taken much further. Defences at British dams were increased, either with weapons or obstructing nets, as reprisals were feared, but they never took place (as with reprisals on British bomber airfields, catching returning bombers, carried out on a small scale and not for long).
5:59 I went to see the dam at Garston a few years ago. Maybe it's different now but you didn't have to book up or anything. It was in a copse just by the main gate. I know most of the locations of the film but I don't know where the Collin's station was filmed.
Interesting comment about the Dog in the film not going anywhere near the grave of the one it played in the film. The rumour is that the airmen detailed to bury the Dog, just disturbed the ground around where the grave was and then chucked the dog's body into a ditch off the station. This is somewhat backed up by another rumour that when the grave was moved to its current location, the Dog's bones couldn't be found. The most likely cause for the Film dog not to have gone anywhere near the grave was the Air and ground crew from other squadrons at Scampton would piss on its grave, in revenge for what the dog used to do in the Officers Mess at Scampton when the 617 Sqn boys feed it beer. The Mine hunting dog would have basically smelt a toilet in that location.
There are various stories that Guy Gibson treated anyone other than officers with contempt, including NCO aircrew. This was confirmed as likely by a guide at the Dambusters museum, Scampton to me some years ago. Was he like this when flying before the war, if not it was probably caused by stress from his high number of ops. He's still a hero in most peoples eyes. Perhaps not to his subordinates during the war.
Nigger was Guy Gibson's dog. There is some controversy abouy how Nigger was killed and where he was buried. What is in disputable is that "Nigger" was the code word for tye Moehne dam being breached.
Interesting and informative, but the points hardly deal with ‘Myths and Legends’, only minor facts.
Alot of lives were lost on both sides ! I suppose thats war? Rip to all lives lost on both sides!!! After all ?? Were all human!!!!
My late father was a senior NCO on searchlights during WW2. His battery and accompanying AA guns were stationed to the Elan valley dams in central Wales to protect the dams there after the dambusters raid took place. Elan supplies water for Birmingham. I ofter wonder if this was because an upkeep mine was lost intact during the raid and we were worried that the Germans would re-engineer the weapon for their own use against us.
Can´t remember which documentary (or-ies) it was. (Probably have it on video tape somewhere). But it is true the mine from Barlow´s aircraft was recovered and examined and a written report produced. The Germans investigated as much as possible (they also had 3 prisoners, but I have no idea how useful they were) and a film was taken, later, of a similar weapon bouncing over the water with what looks like a small rocket pushing it along - and it went quite a distance. But I don´t believe it was taken much further. Defences at British dams were increased, either with weapons or obstructing nets, as reprisals were feared, but they never took place (as with reprisals on British bomber airfields, catching returning bombers, carried out on a small scale and not for long).
According to the UK attacking a dam is a war crime.
It was illegal under international law, like the Area Bombing Directive.
Thank you Robert for clearing up some of the myths and misconceptions.
Great video very informative
5:59 I went to see the dam at Garston a few years ago. Maybe it's different now but you didn't have to book up or anything. It was in a copse just by the main gate. I know most of the locations of the film but I don't know where the Collin's station was filmed.
Fascinating.
"the dog"
A dog from the Niger surely?
Interesting comment about the Dog in the film not going anywhere near the grave of the one it played in the film. The rumour is that the airmen detailed to bury the Dog, just disturbed the ground around where the grave was and then chucked the dog's body into a ditch off the station. This is somewhat backed up by another rumour that when the grave was moved to its current location, the Dog's bones couldn't be found. The most likely cause for the Film dog not to have gone anywhere near the grave was the Air and ground crew from other squadrons at Scampton would piss on its grave, in revenge for what the dog used to do in the Officers Mess at Scampton when the 617 Sqn boys feed it beer. The Mine hunting dog would have basically smelt a toilet in that location.
There are various stories that Guy Gibson treated anyone other than officers with contempt, including NCO aircrew. This was confirmed as likely by a guide at the Dambusters museum, Scampton to me some years ago. Was he like this when flying before the war, if not it was probably caused by stress from his high number of ops. He's still a hero in most peoples eyes. Perhaps not to his subordinates during the war.
Nigger was Guy Gibson's dog. There is some controversy abouy how Nigger was killed and where he was buried.
What is in disputable is that "Nigger" was the code word for tye Moehne dam being breached.
@@kenstevens5065 He reflected the class barriers of the time. He treated people badly
Thank you for the information, God bless 617 squadron