Such a stilted rehearsed interview with Gibson's wife...almost like an amateur play production.In fact they were planning to divorce around this time.
im sure i read unlike the film that only one of gibsons former crew volunteered to go with him on the dambusters mission. he wasnt the likeable easy going character that todd portrayed but then so what given what he did.
The CD of Gibson is the collection of music he chose for Desert Island Discs for the BBC. Harold 'Micky' Martin is buried in Gunnersbury Cemetary in West London.
In light of the brave face and supporting wife role played by Eve Gibson in the interview (she was an actress, after all) comes this poignant quote by her in "Dambusters" by Max Arthur: "I never really knew him. He kept his innermost thoughts to himself. His first love was the Air Force and he was married to whatever aircraft he happened to be flying at the time. I only came second."
@dave41184 I actualy have a cd off itunes any one can buy, that is a colection of guy gibsons favorite music, but also includes a lengthy interview, with both guy and micky martin (pilot P Popsy), But i to am looking to see if there is any interviews with either of those pilots on you tube, if anyone finds any could you please let me know
The CD of Gibson is the collection of music he chose for Desert Island Discs for the BBC. Harold 'Micky' Martin is buried in Gunnersbury Cemetary in West London.
What is so sad is the fact that almost all of the crew in Gibson's aircraft that survived the Dam raid, were killed the following year 1944, including Gibson himself. Astoundingly, 55000 men of bomber command lost their lives during WW2. Eve died in 1988. The same year as Mickey Martin, a pilot on the raid. I believe it was Les Munro on parade, to be seen shaking hands with the king. Les never reached his allocated dam as he had to turn back due to the damage of his Lancaster by enemy fire.
@dukie743 Taerum, Spafford, Hutchinson and Deering flew with George Holden who took over 617 after Gibson left. They were all lost on 15 September 1943. Pulford was killed in an accident 13 Feb 1944 and Trevor-Roper was KIA 30 March 1944. In this video, the King shook hands with Mick Martin then Dave Shannon. Munro was taller that either of them.
@MarsFKA Sorry, I thought i knew but you are correct.. I was mixed up with Les Munro and Dave Shannon in the second handshake of the king. Mick Martin was unmistakingly the first airmen in the clp to be seen smiling and shaking the hand of the king. What may not be known by some is that Martin died on the same day as Eve Gibson, sometime in 1988. I weep whenever i think of what those brave men did.
@vanmorg Maudslay and his crew didn't return from the raid - they were shot down over Holland on their way home after receiving damage whilst attacking the Eder dam
Watch this and weep as the saying goes. Last week I watched a documentary on this raid - one of the pilots was 18 years old !! Didn't come back of course.Look at most of our "men" today, often tied to their mothers apron strings and likely to burst into tears if their souffle doesn't rise. No wonder the immigrants know they have won where Hitler failed.
Eve Gibson told me that Guy was not the stand offish type often commented upon but a product of the times, he was an officer and was expected to be apart from those in his command. In Enemy Coast Ahead, he comes across slightly different: he liked a good party, he joined in and had many a drink in the mess and local pubs. But, he had a job to do. In less than 2 months he got a new squadron up and running from nothing, and ensured they were all trained ready for the raid.
Gibson was not a well liked person at all by his fellow airmen. very stand off-ish and up his own arse. respect to his ability and achievements throughout his short career but his bravery wouldnt have been recognised as much if it wasnt for the bravery of those who flew alongside him.
Cuddily Teddy Bears do NOT win wars! Like Bader, Gibson was a tough man-thank God fo such characters! Frankly, I don't care much for character assination of men who showed extreme levels of bravey & dedication on behalf of Britain in WW2, especially when they are not here to defend themselves. Both Gibson & Bader are worthy of respect & our thanks, regardless of the fact that neither of them had anytime for flower arranging, or being a 'lovely' chap to all an sundry.
i aint assasinating his character mate, far from it. i have to smile when some old footage shows his fellow fly boys shuffling in their seats when asked what sort of chap he was. they soon skirt round the question, and who mentioned bader?? not me. have a nice day pal......
The most audicious raid of the war! Did mostly nothing. But it was a show of strength! Despite what people say, it took many men to a) Rebuild the dams & b) to guard the dams. Too many personal were taken from the 'Fronts' to do the work! A success in labour terms!
Genuine heros ....Guy Gibson was the definitive brave man.. Night bomber crew losses in WW2 were second only to U boat crews. At a time when a "tour" of boming was 25 missions, with losses at almost 10% per mission, he flew 175 and not only led the dambusters raid but flew alongside the other aircraft during their runs to draw flack from them. Just 24 years old when he was killed... do any of us have such courage?
@spitfireJEJ some in bomber command flew 75+ missions. Bomber command also wasn't just RAF. There was RAAF, RCAF, RNZAF, RSAAFand Indian colonial personal and squadrons. 5 free French squadrons in Halifax bombers. A Polish squadron. Norwegian Mosquito squadrons etc British personnel made up about 60% of bomber command flying crews. The commander of the RAF desert air force in North Africa, Air Marshal Cunningham, was Australian. In the empire air forces being British didn't matter.
@binaway Absolutely right. And all of them deserved the campaign medal which they were denied after the war due, I believe, to the controversy surrounding the Dresden raid. The crews on that and all other raids were carrying out orders, as were the German crews who created the world's first fire-storm in London in 1940.
Look at the pain in the eyes of Guy Gibson's father at the end of this news reel! Proud but so sad...
Gibson was amazing and so was Group Captain Leonard Cheshire...the latter becoming the most decorated RAF pilot of WW II. And surviving the war against all odds to establish the Cheshire Homes.
Gibson had a very troubled childhood, troubled marriage and if you read his book (whilst censored and whitewashed in places) he was deeply saddened by the loss of so many comrades.
I have been on a cruise boat in Westfallen on one of the dams, wasn't nearly as important militarily as news reels of the time portrayed. Mainly slave labour camps were destroyed downstream with the workers. They were repaired in a few weeks photos displayed there now showing the damage, brave guys!. Did give Churchill some 'good news' to tell U.S. prsident at a time when the War was going badly
If the Sorpe had gone, it would have been more substantial - however, 617 developed true tactical bombing: saving lives by putting fewer, but bigger bombs in the right place!
Another theory suggested by one author about Gibson's death is that a target indicator marker hung up in the bombay of his Mosquito, and, having ignited as he attempted to drop it to mark the target, then set the Mosquito on fire (remembering that it was of wooden construction).
The crash happened as he tried to find a place to force-land at night, not far from the target, on the way home. The aircraft exploded on impact, blowing him and his navigator to bits. Few pieces were left to bury.
Wonderful footage. I loved how excited 'the chaps' all were at the reunion, especially around the dam model with Toddy and Barnes Wallis. I hope they had a mighty knees-up that night. They certainly deserved it.
very nice posting. brave men flying at night 60 feet off the water. People today don't appreciate the sacrifices made back then for freedoms today. 56 airmen died in that raid.
that came from the end of the movie when wallis asks gibson"is it true,56 men?" perhaps they weren't aware three were taken prisoner until later. Still an incredible concept and feat of courage by all.
I dont think he was as mild mannered as Todd portrays in the film. Bit like Douglas Bader who was also very arrogant and pushy. Sometimes the best of the best often are.
My gosh no, read Paul Brickhill's book! Gibson could be a right terror to anyone who crossed him.
Incidentally: it's not often remarked on, but he and Bader both went to the same school, St Edward's, near Oxford (but not at the same time, since Bader was 8 years older).
No, his plane ran out of fuel and crashed in Holland returning from a bombing raid over Germany. He had pestered the RAF to let him return to bombing missions, after being forced to retire as they didnt want to risk the moral blow of losing the hero of the Dambusters. They were using Mosquitos by the time he came back and the story goes that Gibson was so arrogant that he didnt listen to the engineer who was showing him how to switch to the plane's reserve fuel tank.
No he wasn't hit by flak. Gibson reported that he had lost an engine- he did not allude to the effect that he had been hit by flak. There is no evidence to support flak. There is plenty of evidence to support the theory concerning the fuel starvation caused by incorrect setting of the fuel tank selector.
Just to put you right Gibson was shot down after being Master Bomber on a Rheydt air raid in 1944. It wasn't a new fangled aeroplane it was a Dehavilland Mosquito. Nobody knows what happened then exactly but he crashed in flames and the Dutch buried him with honours
It was a new fangled plane to Gibson as he had only just started flying them and never over such a distance and never at night. This was a night raid remember. He had pestered the hierarchy to let him go back on active service but they did not want him to as they didnt want to rish their most famous bomber pilot being killed. No one knows exactly how he crashed, so I dont how how you can say he was hit by flak.
One theory is he ran out of fuel as he didnt know how to switch to the reserve tank because he hadnt listened to instructions and not having flow such distance in this type of plance had never used it before. A witness to the crash describes a droning noise and seeing a light in the cockpit, possibly a torch or cockpit light as Gibson tried in the dark to find the fuel tank selector switch behind the seat.
The witness then described a sputtering engine then it cuts out and it crashes and on impact bursts into a big ball of flame. There are no reports of enemy contact in the area that night. We'll probably never know the absolute truth, but the running out of fuel theory is a strong contender.
Thanks Bomberguy for this video. I'm just reading Gibson's book "Enemy Coast Ahead" so it's good to see him on video. It just goes to show the mettle of the man who could write a book during the war, with all else that was going on.
A dying generation did this country proud.Makes me very angry looking at the state of this country now,and some of the tossers who live here now,English and immigrants.
My Grandfather flew in 617, on the dams raid,he was a tail end charlie. Every last one of bomber command were heros. this country is a shadow of its former self. I thank the few for my freedom. (even though it means I'm having to leave this cess pool country now, to avoid the scum, immigrants, crime, tax, filth, corruption etc) such a shame
@spotjak I couldn't a more my friend,,young men blown out of the sky,drowned at sea,and blown up for what,to make these islands a dumping ground for every foreign parasite and idle bastard that was ever spawned.
well said mate- on another note a certain Mr.Henry Keiper has banned me from making comments on his Star Wars variation of the Dambusters (and blocked me from all his other videos), which i thought was in poor taste, as real men died on this raid, and nobody actually died in Star Wars.
Thanks for posting this excellent and most respectful video.
One wonders what the PC brigade is going to do with this fact in the upcoming remake? Most likely the dog will be vanished, like so many other inconvienent historical items.
My heart dropped into my shoes as I was watching this...I had seen Guy Gibson in so many pics just forever still so to see him actually move was both a shock and a thrill. Thank you from the bottom of this Dambusters fiend's heart for posting this!
i hadnt heard that, dont know too much about guy. but gibby (james gibson) is a good mate of mine and is definately his great grandson. he has the victoria cross and letters and stuff etc
If he is indeed his grandson (which I doubt) it would be coming from the WAAF Gibson dated when he was thinking about divorcing Eve, but then his name would not be Gibson would it? :-) Guy Gibsom had no children from his marriage.
superb footage,the pilots and crew had to use their own judgement for low flying and releasing the bombs,unlike the modern pilots with planes that are computer aided, this was true skill and dedication
That is an amazing clip! Guy Gibson (and all of 617 Squadron) have always been heroes of mine. I had only seen stills until you posted this clip. Thanks very much! As for dave41184, the wearing of the RAF uniform by the King was actually a salute to those gallant men. And beleive me NOBODY gives more thought to those airmen that fought and died in the european theater of operations than I do. Thanks for the cynicism though. There really isn't enough of it these days. :{
Perhaps if the King had flown on an operation or two then I could appreciate him wearing the uniform.The harrowing accounts I've read of what aircrew had to go through mean that I wholeheartedly agree with you about their gallantry - I never questioned that at all.
As Prince Albert he served in the new RAF in 1918 after he transferred from the Royal Navy where, as a sub-lieutenant, and took part in the battle of Jutland in 1916. He rose to Group Captain after the war and later became Marshal of the Royal Air Force when he became king in 1936, since it was His armed forces after all.
What an idiot. Okay, the King, the HEAD OF STATE, should have been put at risk to fly bombing missions over Germany. Consider this- which have had the greatest effect? A) King George flying missions over Germany. B) King George getting KILLED/CAPTURED over Germany. B really would have done British moral the power of good wouldn't it?! NOT!! What a ridiculous & ill conceived suggestion. Dim as a Toc H lamp!
What annoys me is the fact that the King was wearing an RAF uniform - its an insult to all the airman who sacrificed their lives over the skies of europe , Gibson especially.Ironically enough Anne Gibson thought her husband was off flying when the Dambusters raid took place...
Another great posting, a fond look back events we will never see again. They like the Doolittle raid in 1942 by the USAAF targets that were thought impossible
a team effort and the leadership of Guy Gibson VC.
Such a stilted rehearsed interview with Gibson's wife...almost like an amateur play production.In fact they were planning to divorce around this time.
thebladerunner11 10 months ago
@thebladerunner11 I'd 'Smash Her back doors in'!!! LOL!
martynpank 10 months ago
It doesn't matter how many times I hear these stories, I'm still in awe of them and what they did.
AbuAvital 1 year ago
im sure i read unlike the film that only one of gibsons former crew volunteered to go with him on the dambusters mission. he wasnt the likeable easy going character that todd portrayed but then so what given what he did.
innit27 1 year ago
The CD of Gibson is the collection of music he chose for Desert Island Discs for the BBC. Harold 'Micky' Martin is buried in Gunnersbury Cemetary in West London.
SimonWelburn 1 year ago
The CD of Gibson is the collection of music he chose for Desert Island Discs for the BBC.
SimonWelburn 1 year ago
In light of the brave face and supporting wife role played by Eve Gibson in the interview (she was an actress, after all) comes this poignant quote by her in "Dambusters" by Max Arthur: "I never really knew him. He kept his innermost thoughts to himself. His first love was the Air Force and he was married to whatever aircraft he happened to be flying at the time. I only came second."
MarsFKA 1 year ago
Is there any audio anywhere of Gibson speaking?
dave41184 1 year ago
@dave41184 I actualy have a cd off itunes any one can buy, that is a colection of guy gibsons favorite music, but also includes a lengthy interview, with both guy and micky martin (pilot P Popsy), But i to am looking to see if there is any interviews with either of those pilots on you tube, if anyone finds any could you please let me know
ausadvanceelectrical 1 year ago
@ausadvanceelectrical Any chance you would consider uploading that interview then? Would be really interesting to hear him speak.
dave41184 1 year ago
@ausadvanceelectrical
The CD of Gibson is the collection of music he chose for Desert Island Discs for the BBC. Harold 'Micky' Martin is buried in Gunnersbury Cemetary in West London.
SimonWelburn 1 year ago
What is so sad is the fact that almost all of the crew in Gibson's aircraft that survived the Dam raid, were killed the following year 1944, including Gibson himself. Astoundingly, 55000 men of bomber command lost their lives during WW2. Eve died in 1988. The same year as Mickey Martin, a pilot on the raid. I believe it was Les Munro on parade, to be seen shaking hands with the king. Les never reached his allocated dam as he had to turn back due to the damage of his Lancaster by enemy fire.
dukie743 1 year ago
@dukie743 Taerum, Spafford, Hutchinson and Deering flew with George Holden who took over 617 after Gibson left. They were all lost on 15 September 1943. Pulford was killed in an accident 13 Feb 1944 and Trevor-Roper was KIA 30 March 1944. In this video, the King shook hands with Mick Martin then Dave Shannon. Munro was taller that either of them.
MarsFKA 1 year ago
@MarsFKA Sorry, I thought i knew but you are correct.. I was mixed up with Les Munro and Dave Shannon in the second handshake of the king. Mick Martin was unmistakingly the first airmen in the clp to be seen smiling and shaking the hand of the king. What may not be known by some is that Martin died on the same day as Eve Gibson, sometime in 1988. I weep whenever i think of what those brave men did.
dukie743 1 year ago
Could anyone tell me where Henry Maudslay is in this film? Hes my great grandad.
vanmorg 1 year ago
@vanmorg Maudslay and his crew didn't return from the raid - they were shot down over Holland on their way home after receiving damage whilst attacking the Eder dam
dave41184 1 year ago
Watch this and weep as the saying goes. Last week I watched a documentary on this raid - one of the pilots was 18 years old !! Didn't come back of course.Look at most of our "men" today, often tied to their mothers apron strings and likely to burst into tears if their souffle doesn't rise. No wonder the immigrants know they have won where Hitler failed.
globaleye8 1 year ago 2
Eve Gibson told me that Guy was not the stand offish type often commented upon but a product of the times, he was an officer and was expected to be apart from those in his command. In Enemy Coast Ahead, he comes across slightly different: he liked a good party, he joined in and had many a drink in the mess and local pubs. But, he had a job to do. In less than 2 months he got a new squadron up and running from nothing, and ensured they were all trained ready for the raid.
derfel1963 1 year ago 3
Gibson was not a well liked person at all by his fellow airmen. very stand off-ish and up his own arse. respect to his ability and achievements throughout his short career but his bravery wouldnt have been recognised as much if it wasnt for the bravery of those who flew alongside him.
tubbymarshall 2 years ago
Cuddily Teddy Bears do NOT win wars! Like Bader, Gibson was a tough man-thank God fo such characters! Frankly, I don't care much for character assination of men who showed extreme levels of bravey & dedication on behalf of Britain in WW2, especially when they are not here to defend themselves. Both Gibson & Bader are worthy of respect & our thanks, regardless of the fact that neither of them had anytime for flower arranging, or being a 'lovely' chap to all an sundry.
LIVERPOOLSCOTTISH 2 years ago 2
i aint assasinating his character mate, far from it. i have to smile when some old footage shows his fellow fly boys shuffling in their seats when asked what sort of chap he was. they soon skirt round the question, and who mentioned bader?? not me. have a nice day pal......
tubbymarshall 2 years ago
@LIVERPOOLSCOTTISH I thank God they were on our side,more especially Dr Barnes Wallace .I pray they are all in heaven ,which i'm sure they are.
barneyboscoe 1 year ago
The most audicious raid of the war! Did mostly nothing. But it was a show of strength! Despite what people say, it took many men to a) Rebuild the dams & b) to guard the dams. Too many personal were taken from the 'Fronts' to do the work! A success in labour terms!
martynpank 2 years ago
Genuine heros ....Guy Gibson was the definitive brave man.. Night bomber crew losses in WW2 were second only to U boat crews. At a time when a "tour" of boming was 25 missions, with losses at almost 10% per mission, he flew 175 and not only led the dambusters raid but flew alongside the other aircraft during their runs to draw flack from them. Just 24 years old when he was killed... do any of us have such courage?
andrew112uk 2 years ago 3
I quite agree Andrew. While I believe a Tour of operations was 25 missions with the American forces, the RAF boys had to fly 30.
spitfireJEJ 2 years ago 2
@spitfireJEJ some in bomber command flew 75+ missions. Bomber command also wasn't just RAF. There was RAAF, RCAF, RNZAF, RSAAFand Indian colonial personal and squadrons. 5 free French squadrons in Halifax bombers. A Polish squadron. Norwegian Mosquito squadrons etc British personnel made up about 60% of bomber command flying crews. The commander of the RAF desert air force in North Africa, Air Marshal Cunningham, was Australian. In the empire air forces being British didn't matter.
binaway 1 year ago
@binaway Absolutely right. And all of them deserved the campaign medal which they were denied after the war due, I believe, to the controversy surrounding the Dresden raid. The crews on that and all other raids were carrying out orders, as were the German crews who created the world's first fire-storm in London in 1940.
spitfireJEJ 1 year ago
Genuine heroes. My eyes well up as I type.
sedm2844 2 years ago
Look at the pain in the eyes of Guy Gibson's father at the end of this news reel! Proud but so sad...
Gibson was amazing and so was Group Captain Leonard Cheshire...the latter becoming the most decorated RAF pilot of WW II. And surviving the war against all odds to establish the Cheshire Homes.
Firefly365 2 years ago 3
Curious how nobody in his squadron had a good word for him as a person, although, of course, they all admired his courage.
Unlike Leonard Cheshire who was well liked and equally brave.
tmolet 2 years ago
Gibson had a very troubled childhood, troubled marriage and if you read his book (whilst censored and whitewashed in places) he was deeply saddened by the loss of so many comrades.
anthonythirteen 2 years ago
A time when men really were men.
Lockbar 3 years ago 5
And sheep were nervous.
RTFishall 2 years ago
I have been on a cruise boat in Westfallen on one of the dams, wasn't nearly as important militarily as news reels of the time portrayed. Mainly slave labour camps were destroyed downstream with the workers. They were repaired in a few weeks photos displayed there now showing the damage, brave guys!. Did give Churchill some 'good news' to tell U.S. prsident at a time when the War was going badly
wind4watts 3 years ago
If the Sorpe had gone, it would have been more substantial - however, 617 developed true tactical bombing: saving lives by putting fewer, but bigger bombs in the right place!
anthonythirteen 2 years ago
I think that's Dave Shannon shaking hands with the King at 0.20 - he always looked absurdly youthful.
Krzyszczynski 3 years ago
well i think he was only 21 at the time of the raid :)
dave41184 2 years ago
Another theory suggested by one author about Gibson's death is that a target indicator marker hung up in the bombay of his Mosquito, and, having ignited as he attempted to drop it to mark the target, then set the Mosquito on fire (remembering that it was of wooden construction).
The crash happened as he tried to find a place to force-land at night, not far from the target, on the way home. The aircraft exploded on impact, blowing him and his navigator to bits. Few pieces were left to bury.
rjemca 3 years ago
Wonderful footage. I loved how excited 'the chaps' all were at the reunion, especially around the dam model with Toddy and Barnes Wallis. I hope they had a mighty knees-up that night. They certainly deserved it.
GroovyBlackCat 3 years ago
Legends
mancsmoveseast 3 years ago
very nice posting. brave men flying at night 60 feet off the water. People today don't appreciate the sacrifices made back then for freedoms today. 56 airmen died in that raid.
speedskiff2 3 years ago 4
Actually it was 53 dead. Incredibly, three of F/Lt Hopgood's crew survived the crash of M-Mother, and were taken prisoner.
Krzyszczynski 3 years ago
that came from the end of the movie when wallis asks gibson"is it true,56 men?" perhaps they weren't aware three were taken prisoner until later. Still an incredible concept and feat of courage by all.
speedskiff2 3 years ago
I dont think he was as mild mannered as Todd portrays in the film. Bit like Douglas Bader who was also very arrogant and pushy. Sometimes the best of the best often are.
innit27 4 years ago 3
My gosh no, read Paul Brickhill's book! Gibson could be a right terror to anyone who crossed him.
Incidentally: it's not often remarked on, but he and Bader both went to the same school, St Edward's, near Oxford (but not at the same time, since Bader was 8 years older).
Krzyszczynski 3 years ago
Wasnt Gibson shot down by a German night fighter later in the war over Holland ?
belfastlad55 4 years ago
Gibson was killed when he got in a new fangled plane and it crashed after running out of fuel. He hadnt listened how to use the reserve fuel tank.
Brave beyond belief though these flyers.
innit27 4 years ago
Wasnt he shot down ?
belfastlad55 4 years ago
No, his plane ran out of fuel and crashed in Holland returning from a bombing raid over Germany. He had pestered the RAF to let him return to bombing missions, after being forced to retire as they didnt want to risk the moral blow of losing the hero of the Dambusters. They were using Mosquitos by the time he came back and the story goes that Gibson was so arrogant that he didnt listen to the engineer who was showing him how to switch to the plane's reserve fuel tank.
innit27 4 years ago
He was hit by flak and crashed into a Hill in Steenbergen in Holland, where he and his Navigator are buried.
dave41184 3 years ago
No he wasn't hit by flak. Gibson reported that he had lost an engine- he did not allude to the effect that he had been hit by flak. There is no evidence to support flak. There is plenty of evidence to support the theory concerning the fuel starvation caused by incorrect setting of the fuel tank selector.
LIVERPOOLSCOTTISH 2 years ago
Just to put you right Gibson was shot down after being Master Bomber on a Rheydt air raid in 1944. It wasn't a new fangled aeroplane it was a Dehavilland Mosquito. Nobody knows what happened then exactly but he crashed in flames and the Dutch buried him with honours
Kosovanian 3 years ago
It was a new fangled plane to Gibson as he had only just started flying them and never over such a distance and never at night. This was a night raid remember. He had pestered the hierarchy to let him go back on active service but they did not want him to as they didnt want to rish their most famous bomber pilot being killed. No one knows exactly how he crashed, so I dont how how you can say he was hit by flak.
innit27 3 years ago
One theory is he ran out of fuel as he didnt know how to switch to the reserve tank because he hadnt listened to instructions and not having flow such distance in this type of plance had never used it before. A witness to the crash describes a droning noise and seeing a light in the cockpit, possibly a torch or cockpit light as Gibson tried in the dark to find the fuel tank selector switch behind the seat.
innit27 3 years ago
At the time he went missing it was thought he was shot down....
But when his aircaft was found, it was clearly seen the fuel selector switch was in the wrong position.
Which meant he ran out of fuel and crashed, with fuel still in the reserve tank.
Many pilots forget simple items in the heat of war, and many great pilots on both sides dead just landing planes on a clear day.
Tellgryn 3 years ago
The witness then described a sputtering engine then it cuts out and it crashes and on impact bursts into a big ball of flame. There are no reports of enemy contact in the area that night. We'll probably never know the absolute truth, but the running out of fuel theory is a strong contender.
innit27 3 years ago 3
When the Commentator asks Mrs Gibson if "She worries when Guy goes on Missions"
WTF do they expect her to say???
Widsy320 4 years ago
Thanks Bomberguy for this video. I'm just reading Gibson's book "Enemy Coast Ahead" so it's good to see him on video. It just goes to show the mettle of the man who could write a book during the war, with all else that was going on.
NiallMS 4 years ago
A dying generation did this country proud.Makes me very angry looking at the state of this country now,and some of the tossers who live here now,English and immigrants.
spotjak 4 years ago 22
Well said spotjak but it's our leaders who are the tossers; they couldn't organise their shirt buttons.
NiallMS 4 years ago 11
My Grandfather flew in 617, on the dams raid,he was a tail end charlie. Every last one of bomber command were heros. this country is a shadow of its former self. I thank the few for my freedom. (even though it means I'm having to leave this cess pool country now, to avoid the scum, immigrants, crime, tax, filth, corruption etc) such a shame
Rubhaantuir 4 years ago 7
@Rubhaantuir I left 8 years before you,for the self same reasons,i wish you well,whoever you are.
barneyboscoe 1 year ago
@spotjak I couldn't a more my friend,,young men blown out of the sky,drowned at sea,and blown up for what,to make these islands a dumping ground for every foreign parasite and idle bastard that was ever spawned.
barneyboscoe 1 year ago
@spotjak
well said mate- on another note a certain Mr.Henry Keiper has banned me from making comments on his Star Wars variation of the Dambusters (and blocked me from all his other videos), which i thought was in poor taste, as real men died on this raid, and nobody actually died in Star Wars.
Thanks for posting this excellent and most respectful video.
darkmossie633 1 year ago
And yes, Guy Penrose Gibson's black Labrador WAS called NIGGER! Live with that the PC brigade..........
Factnotfictionpeople 4 years ago 5
One wonders what the PC brigade is going to do with this fact in the upcoming remake? Most likely the dog will be vanished, like so many other inconvienent historical items.
oldsarge 2 years ago
The dog died on the day of the raid! Hopefully, it will be missed out to keep the PC brigade happy! Not that it is a prob to me. But some it might!
martynpank 2 years ago
@oldsarge ...the dog will be called Nidge in the remake
Aussiephil99 1 year ago
@Aussiephil99 daft name innit .. what abt calling it 'Nipper' ?
richardyingren 1 year ago
That cant be so,Guy Gibson had no children!
dazzledog6 4 years ago
Men of men. Great homage to britains finest.
thedogsgonads1 4 years ago 3
great film clip thanks for putting it on you tube
terryfl1956 4 years ago
BRILLIANT CLIP
DICKO100959 4 years ago
HEROES AND THAT SUMS IT UP
sonet66 4 years ago 2
That was wonderful! Thanks so much for uploading it.
flamecolonel1 4 years ago
My heart dropped into my shoes as I was watching this...I had seen Guy Gibson in so many pics just forever still so to see him actually move was both a shock and a thrill. Thank you from the bottom of this Dambusters fiend's heart for posting this!
TanithWaters 4 years ago 5
Brave men all round, and that astonishing designer Wallis.
What a pity, a great pity, that Gibson was not there. Now that is somenoe I wanted to meet, and Wallis.
TroyaE117 4 years ago 2
my mate 'gibby' as he is known among the guys, is guy gibson's great grandson!! - how cool is that?!!
jtcfc 4 years ago
How is that ? Didnt think Gibson had any children before he was killed in 1944 ?
dave41184 4 years ago
i hadnt heard that, dont know too much about guy. but gibby (james gibson) is a good mate of mine and is definately his great grandson. he has the victoria cross and letters and stuff etc
jtcfc 4 years ago
As far as I know, Gibson had no children and his VC exhibited is at the Royal Air Force Museum Hendon.
sithlordess 4 years ago
wel he is definately his great grandson. he has a youtube account infact
gibbythegreatreturns or something like that.
jtcfc 4 years ago
If he is indeed his grandson (which I doubt) it would be coming from the WAAF Gibson dated when he was thinking about divorcing Eve, but then his name would not be Gibson would it? :-) Guy Gibsom had no children from his marriage.
sithlordess 4 years ago
lol ok then... didnt realise you bummed this. but go for it
jtcfc 4 years ago
:-) we are talking history so we must get the facts right. every gory detail.
sithlordess 4 years ago
Well at least we don't distort history as much as Hollywood now does!
RTFishall 4 years ago 2
Amazing video, especialy the 1955 reunion part. A great tribute to this nation's Greatest Generation.
Tiger20001 4 years ago
superb footage,the pilots and crew had to use their own judgement for low flying and releasing the bombs,unlike the modern pilots with planes that are computer aided, this was true skill and dedication
1972robbie 4 years ago
That is an amazing clip! Guy Gibson (and all of 617 Squadron) have always been heroes of mine. I had only seen stills until you posted this clip. Thanks very much! As for dave41184, the wearing of the RAF uniform by the King was actually a salute to those gallant men. And beleive me NOBODY gives more thought to those airmen that fought and died in the european theater of operations than I do. Thanks for the cynicism though. There really isn't enough of it these days. :{
Heathen66 4 years ago
Perhaps if the King had flown on an operation or two then I could appreciate him wearing the uniform.The harrowing accounts I've read of what aircrew had to go through mean that I wholeheartedly agree with you about their gallantry - I never questioned that at all.
dave41184 4 years ago
As Prince Albert he served in the new RAF in 1918 after he transferred from the Royal Navy where, as a sub-lieutenant, and took part in the battle of Jutland in 1916. He rose to Group Captain after the war and later became Marshal of the Royal Air Force when he became king in 1936, since it was His armed forces after all.
nasnema 4 years ago
What an idiot. Okay, the King, the HEAD OF STATE, should have been put at risk to fly bombing missions over Germany. Consider this- which have had the greatest effect? A) King George flying missions over Germany. B) King George getting KILLED/CAPTURED over Germany. B really would have done British moral the power of good wouldn't it?! NOT!! What a ridiculous & ill conceived suggestion. Dim as a Toc H lamp!
LIVERPOOLSCOTTISH 2 years ago
What annoys me is the fact that the King was wearing an RAF uniform - its an insult to all the airman who sacrificed their lives over the skies of europe , Gibson especially.Ironically enough Anne Gibson thought her husband was off flying when the Dambusters raid took place...
dave41184 4 years ago
Another ignorant Berk.
mewgull1934 4 years ago
Dave 41184 Moaning Cunt.
BlackCountryLad 4 years ago 2
Another great posting, a fond look back events we will never see again. They like the Doolittle raid in 1942 by the USAAF targets that were thought impossible
a team effort and the leadership of Guy Gibson VC.
fordroad 4 years ago