Dambusters Memorial Derwent Water

The memorial is located in the western gate house of the Derwent Dam. Find on a map.

THIS PLAQUE UNVEILED ON 16th MAY 1988

COMMEMORATES THE NIGHT OF

16th 17th MAY 1943

WHEN 19 LANCASTERS OF 617 SQD R.A.F.

ATTACKED THE RUHR DAMS AT LOW LEVEL

ALSO REMEMBERED HERE ARE THE

204 617 SQD AIRCREW WHO LAID DOWN

THEIR LIVES BETWEEN 1943 - 1945

STONE ERECTED BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION

TO THE GALLANT MEN OF

617 DAMBUSTER SQD R.A.F.

WHO SUCCESSFULLY BREACHED THE DAMS OF

WESTERN GERMANY IN WORLD WAR II

USING THE BOUNCING BOMB DEVISED BY

DR BARNES WALLIS

DERWENT DAM WAS CHOSEN BECAUSE OF ITS

CLOSE RESEMBLANCE TO TO GERMAN DAMS

FOR INTENSIVE LOW LEVEL PRACTICE

AND BOMB AIMING TECHNIQUES

THEY PAID FOR OUR FREEDOM

Photo by Chris Gleave.