This is my third World War 2 Air War Cache.
The Dambusters Raid: Operation Chastise
On the night of May 16-17, 1943, one of the most daring and innovative air raids of World War II took place, known as the Dambusters Raid, or Operation Chastise. The raid was carried out by 617 Squadron of the Royal Air Force (RAF), a specially formed unit led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson. The mission's objective was to destroy three key dams in Germany's industrial heartland, the Ruhr Valley, in order to disrupt the German war effort.
The Ruhr Valley was a vital region for the Germans, containing a significant portion of their industrial production, including factories, power stations, and transportation networks. The Mohne, Eder, and Sorpe dams were critical to this infrastructure, providing water, hydroelectric power, and flood control. Destroying these dams would cripple German industry and divert resources to repair the damage.
To achieve this, the raid utilized a revolutionary new weapon: the "bouncing bomb," designed by British engineer Barnes Wallis. These cylindrical bombs were specifically engineered to skip across the surface of the water, avoiding torpedo nets, and then strike the dam walls at the optimal point for maximum destruction. The bombs were then set to explode underwater, using the pressure to breach the dam walls.
On the night of the raid, 19 modified Lancaster bombers took off from RAF Scampton, each carrying one of Wallis's bouncing bombs. The crews flew at extremely low altitudes to avoid detection by radar and navigated treacherous terrain to reach their targets. Despite heavy anti-aircraft fire and challenging conditions, the bombers successfully breached the Mohne and Eder dams, causing catastrophic flooding and significant disruption to German industry. The Sorpe dam was damaged but not destroyed.
The Dambusters Raid was a tactical success, with significant psychological and material impacts on the German war effort. However, the operation came at a high cost: eight of the 19 bombers were lost, and 53 of the 133 aircrew involved were killed. Wing Commander Gibson was awarded the Victoria Cross for his leadership during the raid, and 617 Squadron became one of the most famous units in the RAF.
The legacy of the Dambusters Raid endures as a testament to the ingenuity, bravery, and determination of those who fought in the air campaigns of World War II. The raid's success, despite the odds, has made it one of the most celebrated and iconic operations of the war, capturing the imagination of generations and leaving an indelible mark on history.
The Puzzle
To participate in this raid, you will need to work out your target coordinates. Unfortunately, you can't get the answer out of a book.
All the information you will need can be found here.
Your target for today can be found at N 40° 41.ABC′ W 73° 29.DEF′
Good luck, and Give 'em.. uh.. heck today!
A - 4, 1, 15
B - 1, 9, 11
C - 8, 4, 10
D - 4, 3, 7
E - 3, 9, 7
F - 5, 2, 14