@ogukuo72 The pilot needed both hands on the control wheel for take off - remember the controls aren't power assisted so it would have taken a lot of effort to gut a fully laden Lancaster off the ground.
@ogukuo72 In most two pilot operations, the Pilot Flying in a multiengine plane initiates the take off run and controls the throttles in order to ensure the following:
1. that he has the ability to abort a take off.
2. in order to aid inmaintaining directional control at airspees when the rudder is not yet effective (this is especially true intailwheel aircraft).
@ogukuo72 After that transfer of power control, the Lancaster's engineer can fine tune the power setting, leaving the pilot free to keep his eyes where he is going.
Cheers and best wishes. Ive flown the DC3, and I beleive the principle applies.
flew as a navigator with 617 at Scampton when they had Vulcans.
The phrase we used to use was "It's at times like that that your asshole starts to twitch!"
I was so proud to be even distantly associated with these heroes. Bomber Harris and Guy Gibson were worshipped as a Gods in Bomber Command, even in the 60s.
Your stomach comes up into your mouth just watching this. I knew a rear gunner on the Lancs who said he was always "scared shitless" which seemed to be the common expression the crews used used for the unbearable fear. For others, like Gibson I imagine, it was an addictive adrenaline rush. Whichever way, these were very, but very brave men.
@panchopuskas1 My father's in the military, and I once asked him what it was like. He essentially said it was a combination of both. You have that initial fear, but once you get into it, your training and adrenaline kicks in and it takes over from there. I guess that's why for many servicemen the stress happens AFTER combat, not during.
I flew as a navigator with 617 at Scampton when they had Vulcans.
The phrase we used to use was "It's at times like that that your asshole starts to twitch!"
I was so proud to be even distantly associated with these heroes. Bomber Harris and Guy Gibson were worshipped as a Gods in Bomber Command, even in the 60s.
@panchopuskas1 I know what "unbearable fear" feels like. "Scared shitless is right"! But too much of it breaks you - eventually; as I found out to my cost. I just keep taking the tablets and keep hoping! Severe and chronic fear, is worse than severe pain, I've experienced both. You know you've had too much when you begin to shake involuntarily for no reason, can't stop, and begin to stammer. Then it gets progressively worse. I don't know how these blokes managed; I really don't. Raw courage.
I am honoured to say that I am distantly related to Guy Penrose Gibson, through his wife Eve. Several years ago, when I was just a teenager I was privileged to hold Gibsons VC, DFC and DSO medals, even today it chokes me up. One day I will go to Scampton and pay my respects in person at the memorial to every one of those brave young men who gave everything for us.
The best of British,Australian,Canadian,New Zealand and American stock. These are my bloody heroes. Salute them all. These are some of the bravest and the reason we all have lived in relatively peace for the past 60 odd years.
My condolences to the family of Mr. Todd. I didn't hear on this side of the pond (U.S.). I don't htink there can be an adequet remake of this film, which is probably the very best combat aviation film ever made - bar none - except MAYBE Battle of Britain. The actors nowadays are just too far removed from the period. Meaning, they just don't connect with the folks back then. Of there own choice, I fear. I'm old enough now to see that folks just don't "act" like they used too. Cheers!
Also its worth noting that the formation of 617 squadron led to the development of precision target marking tactics and the use of the 'Tallboy' and 'Grand Slam' weapons used to destroy targets like the V-rocket launching sites , U boat pens , and strategic bridges , tunnels and canals. So even if the dams raid wasnt a complete succes , its cumulative effect certainly was.
Whilst sitting in the rear turret of "Just Jane" at the end of a taxi run at East Kirby I had a "real" Lancaster air gunner explain the bailing out procedure from the rear turret."Reach back out of the turret door and grab the pack stowed on the side of the fuselage, hoping it's not damaged. Holding the pack to your chest, revolve the turret sideways and fall out!
THEN, whilst falling through black space, clip on the parachute pack and pull something!" Now have we all got that?
@YrHen So they wouldn't even have the parachute clipped on when in the air? I notice that the pack seems to be detachable from the harness. How would you go about attaching it without being able to reach around the back?
Richard Todd & Robert Shaw were allowed to do the start-up sequence & take-off run themselves, under supervision out of shot. Of course the take-off was then aborted. This was filmed at Hemswell, as was much of the flying.
Today such a mission would be flown by four Tornados at low altitude with another four flying fighter cover. What changes in time, and what bravery of these men! My uncle was a B-17 pilot, so he knew what this meant.
The rear-gunner of one Lancaster that was lost during this raid, Flying Officer Tony Burcher, had the presence of mind to develop his parachute before bailing out. Although he was injured in his fall, it saved his life.
Photogs-thanks for kind comment. My dad used to drink at his pub with an Army Dunkirk Vet. Bert gave him hard time initially "Where the .... were you bastards? etc. My father had 'broad shoulders' & great sense of humour. Consequently at dad's Wake held in the pub Bert stood up & saluted his photograph & said he was one of the best men he'd ever met! If they'd ranted like some of these guys on UTube they wouldn't have become friends. Gently does it. He flew Blenheims but I love this film.
My dad was RAF Bomber Command 37-46He spent much of the war on reconnaissance behind Jap lines flying too low to use a 'chute.Back in UK (as 'above average instructor') he met a great deal of arrogance from US Army personnel (by then 8th airforce had 'met' the enemy & were not so arrogant)!On his Lancaster crew he was 'pop' (because he was old, 26!). A Jamaican tail gunner was 'Snowy'..After the war he took .... from the army about RAF 'not being at Dunkirk' & was accused of cowardice.
I have heard said that this raid was similar to the Dolittle Raid. Not a whole lot of strategic importance but it was a terrific moral booster, both for the Armed Forces and the general public . Yes we did a fair bit of damage, but in the broad sense it didn't effect the wars outcome very much. However it was right mission at the right time.
I guess if anything it proved that strategic bombing was possible - as opposed to JUST using area bombing. 617 pioneered a lot of the pinpoint accurate techniques used later in the war , using weapons like the Tallboy and Grand Slam to destroy targets like the Tirpitz and the Bielefeld Viaduct
I think at the time is was felt that the dams raid would do alot to hamper the German war effort so it was not just a moral booster, history has shown that it did not do alot of damage to the German war machine, but we could not know that at the time.
"we did not know that at the time". That's actually pretty argument that makes a lot of sense. Post evaluations are always easier 70 plus years later.
Had the Sorpe dam been breached as well then I think the damage would have been even more significant - the Mohne and the Sorpe were deemed the most important of the three primary targets
Just a thought - the face that huge amounts of man power was diverted to the dams to repair them after the raid , and defences erected that could have done damage elsewhere is a partial victory in itself...
Love the music.The Lanc is my fav bomber of all time & these men were both brave and brilliant in how they carried out the mission with the technology that was only available to them at the time. Valor
I think you are probably right. The younger generation now are mainly spoilt, undisciplined, me-first, brats. However, until the "call of duty" comes, it's hard to know how people will perform. Seeing how those RN characters behaved after the Iranian capture, I don't hold out much hope.
I don't know - look how our pilots are performing in the middle east - they don't come much better; they have to be first-class technicians as well as high-speed, low-level, night-fliers. Point taken about that RN debacle - hope they have learned!
From what I understand, most raids are at high altitude, not the kind of surface skimming done in this raid, and use laser-guided munitions rather than incredible hand-eye coordination. Modern planes are also mainly fly-by-wire and GPS-guided rather than relying on manual piloting and dead reckoning. This is not to say modern pilots are worse, although I have my doubts they could rival the Shell Building raid. Rather, they have different requirements and should be seen in that light.
I hope they have because, in Jackspeak, they 'needed a learning'. Fancy crying over a lost iPod. What a coward. The lot of them should hang their heads with shame.
I agree, that was an embarrassing disaster. Thats what you get after 10 years of a military hating socialist government who even now wont give the services the gear they require.. I can imagine the reaction of My late Father who was an RN Officer in WW2 over this, the air would be going blue.. Des Browne the minister at the time was, and is as much use as a chocolate teapot.
I still love this film. I was stationed at RAF Scampton back in 1974 with the Vulcan's. 617 (Vulcan's) flew from the other side of the airfield to where I was working in Air traffic. On cold winter's night I am sure you could still imaging the roar of the Merlin on start up. Even so at the end of my tour of duty, we had the BB Lancaster in to say good bye to an old 617 officer who was working in the tower.
The Dambusters has always been my favorite war film of all time. I love the part when they are training for low flying when the Aussie bomb aimer says "This is bloody dangerous" An understatement if ever there was one! The removal of the bits of tree from the tail wheel also says much. The whole film is a fine example of Brits,Aussies,New Zealanders, Canadians and Americans all working and fighting together.
Jambo Phonix! this is what Youtube is all about for me. I can watch Bomberguy and Henry's WW2 collection of flying videos all day long, and is a refreshing change from certain other videos if you know what I mean!
yeah thanks for uploading, this must have been the first war movie i ever saw i think, and this scene is just filmed so beautifully. i think it's so powerful cause they're just all sat on the grass playing- its so normal and like civilian life, and then they just calmly get up and they know half of them are gonna die- being the wuss i am i cry every time :)
Given the incredible difficulty of the mission, the fantastic difficulty of night flying with primitive instrumentation, and the extreme dangers of bouncing bombs (a test of a US variant resulted in the bomb bouncing up and hitting the aircraft), it's amazing any returned. At University, my landlord was a tailgunner for the Dambuster squadron - a dangerous place to be sitting - so I got to hear a fair bit about the people involved.
@dave41184 It reminds me a lot of the Japanese animated film "Grave of the Fireflies," which takes place in post-war Japan and is essentially watching a brother and sister slowly die. "Stalingrad" is essentially watching a unit of German soldiers, most of them pretty young guys, get wiped out in one of the worst battles in history. Grim, grim indeed.
@Thebigbluemeany I can't watch a flpast by the RAF's last flying Lancaster without a feeling of very great pride and a big lump at the back of my throat.
I'll tell you something else as well. At the Cenotaph, on Remembrance day, up to this present day, unless this communist labour government has it's way, there is ALWAYS applause and celebration when old soldiers and other warriors from nations that fought alongside us marches past. And that always makes me feel proud. Proud to be British and proud to salute those who helped us.
We Brits will NEVER forgot the sacrifice of citizens of ALL nations that took part in World War 2 fighting alongside us against the Nazi's and others. We will NEVER forget that. Believe me. It's just I, as a Brit remember MY forebears and that YOU shall remember your forebears. They ALL gave their they're life for what we have today. God bless them all.
Can we remember that this was a real Commonwealth effort - four of the pilots were Australian. Dave Shannon, Micky Martin, Les Knight and Robert Barlow. Barlow was killed on the run in when his a/c hit some power lines. The others survived the attck though Knight was killed in another 617 operation. Les Munro was a New Zealander and Joe McCarthy an American
I wonder whether we would all pull together now....
Unfortunately too many people are playing the "We're better" game. I had to close down comments for the Polish fighter pilot scene from "The Battle of Britain" because Poles and Brits were arguing with each other about who saved who.
Well I'm Australian and take off my hat to all the aircrew in RAF Bomber Command and the 8th Air Force - British, Americans, Australians, Canadians, New Zealanders and all the rest. There was even a West Indian pilot in my Uncle's squadron - and he rated him as superb. It took a lot of skill courage and determination to pilot a heavy bomber on an eight hour flight across occuped Europe wherever you were born.
...go to East Kirkby in Lincolnshire during the winter and watch "Just Jane" do an evening taxi in the dark. Flames spewing out of 4x12 exhaust stubs and THAT sound - unbelievable!
I agree with mallorc1, National Service would give the young people of today something to be proud of. I'm 27, and wish I'd had the option of doing National Service.
Has there EVER been a more stirring piece of music? My eyes never fail to moisten whenever I hear this haunting theme. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them..
A dying generation who did this country proud when it really mattered.I wonder what they would think looking at some of the tossers living here today ,English and immigrants.
I'll tell you another thing as well. I am SO pleased they made these war films when they did. Seeing all those Lancasters and Spitty's (in other films), together in formation. You will NEVER see that again.
"Well chaps, my watch says time to go...". My god those lads - and that's all they were - had BALLS. Imagine trying to cajole today's spoiled, drugtaking, self-centred hoodiegeneration into executing (and pulling off) a daring raid deep into enemy territory. And LANCS OVER LINCOLN CATHEDRAL!!! Wow...
"Well chaps, my watch says time to go.." My god those lads - and that's all they were - had BALLS. Imagine trying to get today's spoiled, self-centred hoodie shitheads to execute (and pull off) a daring raid deep into enemy territory... And Lancs over Lincoln Cathedral!!!
alot of these airman gave there lives for this country, then every bum scumbag cunt came flooding in what for.if they knew what has happened to there country they would have not bothered what a waste of life .
well said, you see the bravery of these men and women in all combats, not only is it the people who flloded to the country, its also the yob youth of today, bring back national service.
THIS film is what defines Britishness. I don't care what anyone says, if this film doesn't bring a lump to your throat then your not a proper Brit. Simple as that.
That airfield looks alot like Duxford.....I wonder if it is?
hipcat13 1 year ago
Why did they transfer the throttle from one person to the other?
ogukuo72 1 year ago
@ogukuo72 The pilot needed both hands on the control wheel for take off - remember the controls aren't power assisted so it would have taken a lot of effort to gut a fully laden Lancaster off the ground.
dave41184 1 year ago
@ogukuo72 In most two pilot operations, the Pilot Flying in a multiengine plane initiates the take off run and controls the throttles in order to ensure the following:
1. that he has the ability to abort a take off.
2. in order to aid inmaintaining directional control at airspees when the rudder is not yet effective (this is especially true intailwheel aircraft).
abdalabinladen 9 months ago
@ogukuo72 After that transfer of power control, the Lancaster's engineer can fine tune the power setting, leaving the pilot free to keep his eyes where he is going.
Cheers and best wishes. Ive flown the DC3, and I beleive the principle applies.
abdalabinladen 9 months ago
I have very mixed feelings about them remaking this movie..
nostromoau 1 year ago
I wish I could hear 100 RR V12s running together. What a sound.
DerMitten 1 year ago
Awesome movie. God bless those brave men.
KnightOwl2006 1 year ago
Shit! I knew G for George...He was a great man...
davidgjerome 1 year ago
At 7.02... "Oh dash it, chaps, we've forgotten the damn bombs!!!!"
TroyaE117 1 year ago
Lets hope the remake is going to be as good as the original.
JollyRodders 1 year ago
Yes this is just the movie, but please be proud of the real guys that were so brave!!
seftonwallet 1 year ago
Well chaps my watch says time to go :)
dave41184 1 year ago 2
rolls royce merlin.......i've just had an eargasm.......
muddydisco4 1 year ago
idon't remember the clip of them flying over lincoln
blobby1972 1 year ago
flew as a navigator with 617 at Scampton when they had Vulcans.
The phrase we used to use was "It's at times like that that your asshole starts to twitch!"
I was so proud to be even distantly associated with these heroes. Bomber Harris and Guy Gibson were worshipped as a Gods in Bomber Command, even in the 60s.
martinjhughes2294 1 year ago
Your stomach comes up into your mouth just watching this. I knew a rear gunner on the Lancs who said he was always "scared shitless" which seemed to be the common expression the crews used used for the unbearable fear. For others, like Gibson I imagine, it was an addictive adrenaline rush. Whichever way, these were very, but very brave men.
panchopuskas1 1 year ago 21
@panchopuskas1 My father's in the military, and I once asked him what it was like. He essentially said it was a combination of both. You have that initial fear, but once you get into it, your training and adrenaline kicks in and it takes over from there. I guess that's why for many servicemen the stress happens AFTER combat, not during.
HenryvKeiper 1 year ago 9
@panchopuskas1 Scared shitless but they still went, knowing the probably wouldn't come back. Courage beyond belief.
Kokoots 1 year ago
@panchopuskas1
I flew as a navigator with 617 at Scampton when they had Vulcans.
The phrase we used to use was "It's at times like that that your asshole starts to twitch!"
I was so proud to be even distantly associated with these heroes. Bomber Harris and Guy Gibson were worshipped as a Gods in Bomber Command, even in the 60s.
martinjhughes2294 1 year ago
@panchopuskas1 I know what "unbearable fear" feels like. "Scared shitless is right"! But too much of it breaks you - eventually; as I found out to my cost. I just keep taking the tablets and keep hoping! Severe and chronic fear, is worse than severe pain, I've experienced both. You know you've had too much when you begin to shake involuntarily for no reason, can't stop, and begin to stammer. Then it gets progressively worse. I don't know how these blokes managed; I really don't. Raw courage.
RattytheSecond 1 year ago 2
@panchopuskas1 Unbearable fear is horrible believe me. Worse than bad physical pain if it lasts long enough: weeks or longer. I've had both.
RattytheSecond 8 months ago 2
A fantastic film about very brave men.
I am honoured to say that I am distantly related to Guy Penrose Gibson, through his wife Eve. Several years ago, when I was just a teenager I was privileged to hold Gibsons VC, DFC and DSO medals, even today it chokes me up. One day I will go to Scampton and pay my respects in person at the memorial to every one of those brave young men who gave everything for us.
derfel1963 1 year ago
The best of British,Australian,Canadian,New Zealand and American stock. These are my bloody heroes. Salute them all. These are some of the bravest and the reason we all have lived in relatively peace for the past 60 odd years.
ynbeme65 1 year ago 3
My condolences to the family of Mr. Todd. I didn't hear on this side of the pond (U.S.). I don't htink there can be an adequet remake of this film, which is probably the very best combat aviation film ever made - bar none - except MAYBE Battle of Britain. The actors nowadays are just too far removed from the period. Meaning, they just don't connect with the folks back then. Of there own choice, I fear. I'm old enough now to see that folks just don't "act" like they used too. Cheers!
mrkeel2 2 years ago 3
well said dave.
LZDEN 2 years ago
RIP Richard Todd who died today at the age of 90 - a genuine war hero and a great actor.
dave41184 2 years ago 24
Quite right - took part in the Pegasus Bridge attack and played his commanding officer in the Longest Day. Great bloke!,
jonnybottle 2 years ago 2
Also its worth noting that the formation of 617 squadron led to the development of precision target marking tactics and the use of the 'Tallboy' and 'Grand Slam' weapons used to destroy targets like the V-rocket launching sites , U boat pens , and strategic bridges , tunnels and canals. So even if the dams raid wasnt a complete succes , its cumulative effect certainly was.
dave41184 2 years ago 3
Whilst sitting in the rear turret of "Just Jane" at the end of a taxi run at East Kirby I had a "real" Lancaster air gunner explain the bailing out procedure from the rear turret."Reach back out of the turret door and grab the pack stowed on the side of the fuselage, hoping it's not damaged. Holding the pack to your chest, revolve the turret sideways and fall out!
THEN, whilst falling through black space, clip on the parachute pack and pull something!" Now have we all got that?
Heros All!
YrHen 2 years ago 9
@YrHen So they wouldn't even have the parachute clipped on when in the air? I notice that the pack seems to be detachable from the harness. How would you go about attaching it without being able to reach around the back?
Lancastrian83 1 year ago
Yes I think that can be seen from this sequence - the great and very moving march is about the young men - it is not played over the actual take off.
IrishClaudius 2 years ago
Think had maybe the third dam , the Sorpe been breached also then we might have to reassess.
dave41184 2 years ago
Richard Todd & Robert Shaw were allowed to do the start-up sequence & take-off run themselves, under supervision out of shot. Of course the take-off was then aborted. This was filmed at Hemswell, as was much of the flying.
MkVII 2 years ago
I wonder if actors today would be trusted with such a start up proceedure lol - time will tell , the remake is out some time in 2010
dave41184 2 years ago
My grandad got assigned to this squadren just after this. He was one of the mechanics that got to fix the aircrafts back up again.
LuvGlamRock 2 years ago 2
Today such a mission would be flown by four Tornados at low altitude with another four flying fighter cover. What changes in time, and what bravery of these men! My uncle was a B-17 pilot, so he knew what this meant.
gab21113 2 years ago 3
NeverMind .. i forgot bout that door
xXCutePuppy666Xx 2 years ago
how would they bail out ?? if it was goin down ..
xXCutePuppy666Xx 2 years ago
Quickly I'd imagine.....Only three bailed out from the 8 aircraft that were lost , and from a height of 60ft thats bloody lucky
dave41184 2 years ago
The rear-gunner of one Lancaster that was lost during this raid, Flying Officer Tony Burcher, had the presence of mind to develop his parachute before bailing out. Although he was injured in his fall, it saved his life.
andrewsdream 2 years ago
And he helped the Wireless Operator to bail out first (who unfortunately didnt make it) - so a quick thinking and very brave chap
dave41184 2 years ago
Photogs-thanks for kind comment. My dad used to drink at his pub with an Army Dunkirk Vet. Bert gave him hard time initially "Where the .... were you bastards? etc. My father had 'broad shoulders' & great sense of humour. Consequently at dad's Wake held in the pub Bert stood up & saluted his photograph & said he was one of the best men he'd ever met! If they'd ranted like some of these guys on UTube they wouldn't have become friends. Gently does it. He flew Blenheims but I love this film.
Insperato62 2 years ago
My dad was RAF Bomber Command 37-46He spent much of the war on reconnaissance behind Jap lines flying too low to use a 'chute.Back in UK (as 'above average instructor') he met a great deal of arrogance from US Army personnel (by then 8th airforce had 'met' the enemy & were not so arrogant)!On his Lancaster crew he was 'pop' (because he was old, 26!). A Jamaican tail gunner was 'Snowy'..After the war he took .... from the army about RAF 'not being at Dunkirk' & was accused of cowardice.
Insperato62 2 years ago
I have met survivors of Dunkirk and they freely admit that accusations of cowardice "flew" a little too liberally.
PhotogsHangar 2 years ago
i thought it is awesome
harrisons789 3 years ago
I have heard said that this raid was similar to the Dolittle Raid. Not a whole lot of strategic importance but it was a terrific moral booster, both for the Armed Forces and the general public . Yes we did a fair bit of damage, but in the broad sense it didn't effect the wars outcome very much. However it was right mission at the right time.
PhotogsHangar 3 years ago
I guess if anything it proved that strategic bombing was possible - as opposed to JUST using area bombing. 617 pioneered a lot of the pinpoint accurate techniques used later in the war , using weapons like the Tallboy and Grand Slam to destroy targets like the Tirpitz and the Bielefeld Viaduct
dave41184 3 years ago
I think at the time is was felt that the dams raid would do alot to hamper the German war effort so it was not just a moral booster, history has shown that it did not do alot of damage to the German war machine, but we could not know that at the time.
lanclover1945 2 years ago
"we did not know that at the time". That's actually pretty argument that makes a lot of sense. Post evaluations are always easier 70 plus years later.
PhotogsHangar 2 years ago
Had the Sorpe dam been breached as well then I think the damage would have been even more significant - the Mohne and the Sorpe were deemed the most important of the three primary targets
dave41184 2 years ago
Just a thought - the face that huge amounts of man power was diverted to the dams to repair them after the raid , and defences erected that could have done damage elsewhere is a partial victory in itself...
dave41184 2 years ago
Love the music.The Lanc is my fav bomber of all time & these men were both brave and brilliant in how they carried out the mission with the technology that was only available to them at the time. Valor
ynbeme65 3 years ago
You had better hope this kind of total war never happens again, there are no men left like this anymore......or are there?
brimoy 3 years ago
I think you are probably right. The younger generation now are mainly spoilt, undisciplined, me-first, brats. However, until the "call of duty" comes, it's hard to know how people will perform. Seeing how those RN characters behaved after the Iranian capture, I don't hold out much hope.
Gruntol5 3 years ago
I don't know - look how our pilots are performing in the middle east - they don't come much better; they have to be first-class technicians as well as high-speed, low-level, night-fliers. Point taken about that RN debacle - hope they have learned!
ecocynic 3 years ago
From what I understand, most raids are at high altitude, not the kind of surface skimming done in this raid, and use laser-guided munitions rather than incredible hand-eye coordination. Modern planes are also mainly fly-by-wire and GPS-guided rather than relying on manual piloting and dead reckoning. This is not to say modern pilots are worse, although I have my doubts they could rival the Shell Building raid. Rather, they have different requirements and should be seen in that light.
2206411411 3 years ago
I hope they have because, in Jackspeak, they 'needed a learning'. Fancy crying over a lost iPod. What a coward. The lot of them should hang their heads with shame.
MrMoorkey 3 years ago
I agree, that was an embarrassing disaster. Thats what you get after 10 years of a military hating socialist government who even now wont give the services the gear they require.. I can imagine the reaction of My late Father who was an RN Officer in WW2 over this, the air would be going blue.. Des Browne the minister at the time was, and is as much use as a chocolate teapot.
Pitcairn2 3 years ago
I still love this film. I was stationed at RAF Scampton back in 1974 with the Vulcan's. 617 (Vulcan's) flew from the other side of the airfield to where I was working in Air traffic. On cold winter's night I am sure you could still imaging the roar of the Merlin on start up. Even so at the end of my tour of duty, we had the BB Lancaster in to say good bye to an old 617 officer who was working in the tower.
cloudebase 3 years ago 10
Thank you for your service.
HenryvKeiper 3 years ago 6
Can anyone notice that the water splayed over when a Lankaster skimmed low over one of the lakes while training?
dhmosquito 3 years ago
The Dambusters has always been my favorite war film of all time. I love the part when they are training for low flying when the Aussie bomb aimer says "This is bloody dangerous" An understatement if ever there was one! The removal of the bits of tree from the tail wheel also says much. The whole film is a fine example of Brits,Aussies,New Zealanders, Canadians and Americans all working and fighting together.
YrHen 3 years ago 3
Jambo YrHen! Fancy seeing you here! lol.
Dambusters is hand's down my favourite war film, with 'Reach for the Sky' a very close 2nd.
Pheonixfromtheshale 3 years ago
Jambo Phonix! this is what Youtube is all about for me. I can watch Bomberguy and Henry's WW2 collection of flying videos all day long, and is a refreshing change from certain other videos if you know what I mean!
YrHen 3 years ago
oh my, this bit never fails to break my heart
Thebigbluemeany 3 years ago
I'm glad I uploaded it. I just did so because I thought it was an important scene in the movie, I didn't realize how effective it was on viewers.
HenryvKeiper 3 years ago
yeah thanks for uploading, this must have been the first war movie i ever saw i think, and this scene is just filmed so beautifully. i think it's so powerful cause they're just all sat on the grass playing- its so normal and like civilian life, and then they just calmly get up and they know half of them are gonna die- being the wuss i am i cry every time :)
Thebigbluemeany 3 years ago
Pfft. I cried at the end of "Stalingrad" when I was like 12. We're all wusses inside.
HenryvKeiper 3 years ago
19 planes departed on the dams raid 10 returned.
backnumber1662 3 years ago
Given the incredible difficulty of the mission, the fantastic difficulty of night flying with primitive instrumentation, and the extreme dangers of bouncing bombs (a test of a US variant resulted in the bomb bouncing up and hitting the aircraft), it's amazing any returned. At University, my landlord was a tailgunner for the Dambuster squadron - a dangerous place to be sitting - so I got to hear a fair bit about the people involved.
2206411411 3 years ago
@HenryvKeiper Stalingrad is probably the grimmest war film I've ever seen , I wouldn't blame you at the age of 12 for crying over it
dave41184 1 year ago
@dave41184 It reminds me a lot of the Japanese animated film "Grave of the Fireflies," which takes place in post-war Japan and is essentially watching a brother and sister slowly die. "Stalingrad" is essentially watching a unit of German soldiers, most of them pretty young guys, get wiped out in one of the worst battles in history. Grim, grim indeed.
HenryvKeiper 1 year ago
@Thebigbluemeany I can't watch a flpast by the RAF's last flying Lancaster without a feeling of very great pride and a big lump at the back of my throat.
mig25pd 1 year ago
"Well chaps, my watch says time to go."
Time to get into a plane and stare death right in the face... And still walk over to that plane with a smile.
Astonishing.
fodsaks 4 years ago 2
Is the guy in civilian clothes with the round glasses at the end of the clip supposed to be Barnes Wallis?
matthompson 4 years ago
You got it.
HenryvKeiper 4 years ago
Did the actors really start the Lancs themselves? Can see Richard Todd in the pilots seat etc
dave41184 4 years ago
That's a good question, one I don't have the answer to. Probably not.
HenryvKeiper 3 years ago
Well he'd have had the guts to do it, he was a genuine war hero himself who took part in the capture of Pegasus bridge on D-Day
Sue40vat 3 years ago
great film Good to see the lancasters flying over my home city of Lincoln at the end as they did do .The cathedral looking majestic
donno54 4 years ago
I'll tell you something else as well. At the Cenotaph, on Remembrance day, up to this present day, unless this communist labour government has it's way, there is ALWAYS applause and celebration when old soldiers and other warriors from nations that fought alongside us marches past. And that always makes me feel proud. Proud to be British and proud to salute those who helped us.
davinata 4 years ago
what did the conservatives ever do for us other than poll tax and closedown the coal mines.
flynn1967 4 years ago 2
We Brits will NEVER forgot the sacrifice of citizens of ALL nations that took part in World War 2 fighting alongside us against the Nazi's and others. We will NEVER forget that. Believe me. It's just I, as a Brit remember MY forebears and that YOU shall remember your forebears. They ALL gave their they're life for what we have today. God bless them all.
davinata 4 years ago 2
Can we remember that this was a real Commonwealth effort - four of the pilots were Australian. Dave Shannon, Micky Martin, Les Knight and Robert Barlow. Barlow was killed on the run in when his a/c hit some power lines. The others survived the attck though Knight was killed in another 617 operation. Les Munro was a New Zealander and Joe McCarthy an American
I wonder whether we would all pull together now....
mig25pd 4 years ago
Unfortunately too many people are playing the "We're better" game. I had to close down comments for the Polish fighter pilot scene from "The Battle of Britain" because Poles and Brits were arguing with each other about who saved who.
HenryvKeiper 4 years ago
Well I'm Australian and take off my hat to all the aircrew in RAF Bomber Command and the 8th Air Force - British, Americans, Australians, Canadians, New Zealanders and all the rest. There was even a West Indian pilot in my Uncle's squadron - and he rated him as superb. It took a lot of skill courage and determination to pilot a heavy bomber on an eight hour flight across occuped Europe wherever you were born.
mig25pd 4 years ago 2
Precisely. The world "stood up and stopped the bastard", as Bertolt Brecht put it, we shouldn't be playing stupid games of "Who has a bigger dick".
HenryvKeiper 4 years ago
...go to East Kirkby in Lincolnshire during the winter and watch "Just Jane" do an evening taxi in the dark. Flames spewing out of 4x12 exhaust stubs and THAT sound - unbelievable!
snoobybun 4 years ago
My best mate's son has just joined the Air Cadets and I'm convinced it'll be the making of him. They even have to learn how to IRON...
snoobybun 4 years ago
I agree with mallorc1, National Service would give the young people of today something to be proud of. I'm 27, and wish I'd had the option of doing National Service.
Excelsior2007 4 years ago
Has there EVER been a more stirring piece of music? My eyes never fail to moisten whenever I hear this haunting theme. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them..
snoobybun 4 years ago
me aswell
conkertom 4 years ago
A dying generation who did this country proud when it really mattered.I wonder what they would think looking at some of the tossers living here today ,English and immigrants.
spotjak 4 years ago 2
Love the clip going past Lincoln Cathedral ,Europes finest
spotjak 4 years ago
I'll tell you another thing as well. I am SO pleased they made these war films when they did. Seeing all those Lancasters and Spitty's (in other films), together in formation. You will NEVER see that again.
davinata 4 years ago
"Well chaps, my watch says time to go...". My god those lads - and that's all they were - had BALLS. Imagine trying to cajole today's spoiled, drugtaking, self-centred hoodiegeneration into executing (and pulling off) a daring raid deep into enemy territory. And LANCS OVER LINCOLN CATHEDRAL!!! Wow...
snoobybun 4 years ago
"Well chaps, my watch says time to go.." My god those lads - and that's all they were - had BALLS. Imagine trying to get today's spoiled, self-centred hoodie shitheads to execute (and pull off) a daring raid deep into enemy territory... And Lancs over Lincoln Cathedral!!!
snoobybun 4 years ago
Those guys were one in a million. Its a shame England is now the trash heap of Europe with all those scumbags flooding in.
schnorbitz555 4 years ago
alot of these airman gave there lives for this country, then every bum scumbag cunt came flooding in what for.if they knew what has happened to there country they would have not bothered what a waste of life .
raymondrayban 4 years ago
well said, you see the bravery of these men and women in all combats, not only is it the people who flloded to the country, its also the yob youth of today, bring back national service.
mallorc1 4 years ago
THIS film is what defines Britishness. I don't care what anyone says, if this film doesn't bring a lump to your throat then your not a proper Brit. Simple as that.
davinata 4 years ago 3
very cool to see the movie because i'm trying to built all 19 planes used in the attack on 1:72 scale
sergmichel 4 years ago
Hope this helps lol
HenryvKeiper 4 years ago
Would have been cool to fly one
dave41184 4 years ago
They hunted U-Boats on those things. I wouldn't mind being on one of those runs.
HenryvKeiper 4 years ago
Didnt think there were many Lancs in coastal command ? thought it was just Short Sunderlands, Liberators, and even some flying fortresses
dave41184 4 years ago
Oops, might've been Sunderlands. My mistake, sorry.
HenryvKeiper 4 years ago
there were lancs in Coastal Command, in fact thats where they finished their service.
backnumber1662 3 years ago
great movie, i like that Lancaster! big bomber! great video!!
kerwick80 4 years ago