The Dambusters Raid

The May 1943 attack on German dams by 617 Squadron is arguably the second most-famous bomber op in history.* Unfortunately early books and films on the raid (ENEMY COAST AHEAD, Paul Brickhill's DAM BUSTERS) were less than accurate, perpetuating several myths in the public's mind. To my knowledge, John Sweetman's THE DAMBUSTERS RAID is the first, accurate history to have appeared describing this epic undertaking. Along with describing 617 Squadron's attacks on the Sorpe, Eder and other German dams, Sweetman provides much background information, material that exposes several of the myths connected with the raid. For instance, the dam attacks weren't the brainchild of Barnes Wallis, a gifted civilian engineer. Rather RAF brass had extensively discussed such attacks in the years immediately preceding war's outbreak. Likewise various weapons including ones similar to Wallis' 'Upkeep' revolving depth charge had already been proposed and investigated. In short, many agencies and individuals contributed to the effort. Likewise 617 Squadron crews who flew the mission weren't all highly experienced combat vets. Another point: the inspiration for the spotlights that aided the Lanc crews in maintaining their height over the water was not the result of Guy Gibson watching theater spotlights focus on a row of chorus girls! Then too the operation was not well-planned and executed. Navigational errors accounted for most of the eight aircraft lost. One Lanc even attacked the wrong dam and so on! Sweetman's throughly-researched book provides a comprehensive account of the entire Dams story. Readers may be put off by Sweetman's detailing of the countless meetings and briefings that preceded the development of Upkeep, establishment of 617 Squadorn and the actual attacks but all that IS part of the Dambusters story. Sweetman also examines and refutes the claims of revisionists that the raid and its effects were hyped and the actual results minimal. In point of fact, the Dambuster raid made a great impact on many levels. Well-illustrated and well-written, THE DAMBUSTERS RAID is a warts-and-all account of an epic mission. Unless something better comes along, it will probably be THE definitive book on the subject. Highly recommended. ******* *The atomic bombing of Hiroshima probably ranks as the #1 bomber raid of all time.