𝗔𝘃𝗿𝗼 𝟲𝟴𝟯 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 «𝗗𝗮𝗺 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿»

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Operation Chastise was an attack on German dams carried out on 16–17 May 1943 by Royal Air Force No. 617 Squadron, later called the Dam Busters, using a purpose-built «bouncing bomb» developed by Barnes Wallis. The Möhne and Edersee dams were breached, causing catastrophic flooding of the Ruhr valley and of villages in the Eder valley; the Sorpe Dam sustained only minor damage. Two hydroelectric power stations were destroyed and several more damaged. Factories and mines were also damaged and destroyed. An estimated 1,600 civilians – about 600 Germans and 1,000 mainly Soviet forced labourers – died. Despite rapid repairs by the Germans, production did not return to normal until September.
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Using two spotlights to ascertain the required height, a modified Lancaster dropped a backspun drum-bomb which skipped over the torpedo nets protecting the dam. After impact, the bomb spun down to the dam's base and exploded.
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About 12:20 am, Commander Guy Gibson informed the other aircraft already at the Möhne: «Stand by, chaps. I’m going to look the place over». He took AJ-G on a circuit of the area. Reporting that he «liked the look of it», he then warned the others to be ready to attack. Hopgood in AJ-M was told to be ready to take over the mission if Gibson were shot down.
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Flight Lieutenant D.J. Shannon and his crew in AJ-L watched AJ-G going in, flak fire intensifing as they got closer to the dam, but they crossed through it safely and released their Upkeep at 12:28. The moon was bright with good visibility.
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For more read the whole article at warfarehistorynetwork.com