Oh. I would rather have a man like your dad - prouder than to have any prince, billionaire, movie star... You are so lucky to have such a dad - and he sounds like a great dad - you are obviously so proud of him.
Super tribute to these brave men, very nice indeed, my Dad was a Lancaster navigator, lost him last year at 90. I don't have to tell you what we played out the funeral with. This a splendid recording. We visit the Bomber Command Memorial every year a fantastic building
I always get tears when I look back at all the lost souls. Will always be remembered the memorial took a long time coming but they got what was deserved in the end thank you Geoff.
Great tribute to all these crews. A great feature is to see that some lived to ripe old ages and and sadly, a great many never even made it to the end of the war in the ETO in May 1945. Thank you very much Geoff.
Les Knight was my 1st cousin. At one of the reunions his crew were, I think, the largest crew of survivors as Les kept the aircraft up long enough for them all to bail out and they became POWs.
Thank you. My dad was great friends with Tammy, your production is the first conformation of him being called Tammy. My dad taught Tony's wife to drive in the 1990's. Tony said then, that he felt he was the only prison survivor of that raid. Two hour conversation, many interesting opinions from Mr Bircher. Tony had so many thoughts, I am happy to elaborate.
In 2003 at the UK Advanced Command and Staff Course I was lucky to be in the presence of a few of the survivors for the 60th commemoration. Not being RAF or Aircrew I did not get a chance to speak to any of them that night; but it was incredible nonetheless. I can't recall how many were there, but this suggests it could not have been more than ten - absolute max! Our RAF colleagues would play a bit of the the famous 1955 film, and as the section played, they had a spotlight on the real men at the table with us, so we could see who they were. But I did get to meet Jim Wallwork the following year in Normandy... the man who according to the D-Day chief of allied air operations, Air Chief Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory, was responsible "the greatest feat of flying of the second world war". Jim was an Army Staff Sergeant who landed the first Glider on D-Day just 15 meters from Pegasus bridge.
And to think Gibson was only 25 at the time of the Dambusters. This 16/17th May it will 75 years ago that these brave men took to the skies for Chastise. I will take the time to pay my tribute at Rheinberg War Cemetery to the Dambusters who are buried there.
It is so very difficult for someone like me who has,thank God, never had to fight in a war, to try and imagine the courage of these men, all of them, who flew in bomber command
I'm born in the town where AJ-A for Appl, flown by S/L Dinghy Young, received their first hit returning from the Möhne Dam because he started flying higher when he reached the coast. He then was hit a 2nd time in the town where I went to school and crashed near the coast of Castricum when he attempted to land on a sandbar (so the official squadron story goes). The locations and fortifications where Young got hit are still there.
Superb feature. It's so nice to see the incredible range of nationalities represented here but also so sad to see the names and faces of all of those that died during the mission. Their loss was not in vain as the Germans diverted many resources to protect the dams after the Dambuster raids which also cause significant disruption at the time. It also set precedents for precision bombing which overall cost less lives than area bombing both on the ground and in the air.
Have since my last post visited all their graves in the Netherlands. Les Knight in Den Ham was the last 4 weeks ago, he gave his life saving his crew and the village of Den Ham. #wewillrememberthem
My grandad was in the 9th squadron . Front gunner/ bomber navigator. Was part of the damn busters as well as successfully sank the Tripitz. Donald Montague McDonald. Flew for RAF. not sure why he and his crew was not shown here. Maybe an incomplete list. Would like to learn more about the 9th squadron.
Great tribute. I believe the BBC did the same thing but all on a huge eposter that you could tap to see the details of each man. I believe they managed to get a photo of every man, though some might have been in late teens, pre military - if you wanted to use their photos for your gaps?
Ops,did not mean he was the best crew member,he was the best dad anyone could have had. Miss him so,he has two wonderful great grandson's he never met but would loved as they have the same interests as dad had.
How wonderful to know. I would rather have a dambusters lad as family, than a duke. And to know he was a lovely dad... If I was the sort of person to be jealous of such things, I would be. One of the dambusters boys ended up ill and dying alone in a manky sad little flat. Wasn't found immediately. That is heart breaking. Whether it was in his psyche from the start or the war, he was a bit of a hermit. Clearly drove away those who would have looked after him. I was very sad to dig that up. Another dambuster earned his living, for a while, selling insurance, door to door! Now, they would probably earn a living going on talk shows, being guest speakers, etc. So extraordinary they mostly disappeared back into a suburban family life. Every time I imagine a dambuster lad knocking on a door and asking if the householder wanted insurance, and imagining so many doors slammed in his face! It is very hard to stop fretting about it. And within 10 years of that, he haf been a national hero! I feel really happy that your dad was lovely - and that he got his happy ever after. I just can't imagine how your chest doesn't explode with love and pride, at every thought of him. Hugs from Oz.
Cried my eyes out because i remember people who were alive then. And life was very different in the 50's and 60's when i grew up. They had different priorities after the war. It was a better world.
There is a tendency to think of the actors in the film as the 'real deal' These of course were real people. They wouldn't have thought so at the time but they were and still are, 'a breed apart'. Bomber Command 1939 - 45.
My daughter is at uni in Lincoln, close to Scampton, and her boyfriend is in the RAF at Waddington. With clearance, she has been to Scampton and seen the buildings where these brave men were training and meeting. She has been to the grave of Wing Commander Gibson’s dog and we hope to get to pay our respects on a trip to Holland next year to Wing Commander Gibson. And soon we shall visit the grave of Richard Todd, at St Guthlac’s Church in Little Panton, who played Gibson in the movie.
I am Japanese. At that time, Britain was an enemy. But we celebrate the proud British spirit. Whether they were friends or enemies, I am grateful that I am who I am today thanks to the people of that era. I'm sorry in poor English.
Great respect to all these men. Warner Ottley was the brother of my stepfather Richard Taylor Ottley who married my mother in 1967. A German divorced woman!!! Wasn't easy for the parents having lost their oldest son over Germany. But, being the lovely people they were, all was good in the end❤
Hi Mighty Apple, Sorry I missed this. As you may have noticed, I have not been able to ascertain the Date of Death of Frank Appleby. Could you please help me with this information Cheers Geoff
My first cousin, Harry Feneron, was flight engineer on Ken Browns AJ-F (third wave). Related to heroes (my old man was Royal Navy) Quite an exclusive club!
There were other distinguished 'Dambusters' who came to 617 Squadron after the Dams Raid: indeed, many of the "Dams" raiders were lost on the disastrous "Dortmund-Ems Canal" attack by 617 in September '43.
A couple of pieces of later information that I am unable to alter - The death of the second last living Dambuster, Frederick Sutherland of Canada passed away on 21/01/2019 and Frank Appleby of Les Munro's crew died on the 00/09/1996
Thank you for the tribute to the wonderful young men. My dad was Len Chambers,the wireless operator with Micky Martin. He was the best.
Oh. I would rather have a man like your dad - prouder than to have any prince, billionaire, movie star...
You are so lucky to have such a dad - and he sounds like a great dad - you are obviously so proud of him.
They were terrorists.
Thankyou for the tribute and posting the pictures and details of the crews
@@JamesHenderson-wk4hd Pitty You Tube doesn't show thumbs down - you must have racked up quite a few.
From Argentina my respect and admiration for the legacy of generosity we owe to these brave men
Super tribute to these brave men, very nice indeed, my Dad was a Lancaster navigator, lost him last year at 90. I don't have to tell you what we played out the funeral with. This a splendid recording. We visit the Bomber Command Memorial every year a fantastic building
James Henderson your an absolute asshole,
If I was an envious person, I would envy you your dad. Rather him than any billionaire, prince, rockstar, movie star... Real heroes.
Excellently put together. Thanks you so much for a fantastic tribute to these gallant men.
Many thanks for this excellent tribute. I'm only 36, but my grandparents taught me early on that these men should never be forgotten.
Your dad and all those men were real heroes. Thanka so much for what they did for us.
I always get tears when I look back at all the lost souls. Will always be remembered the memorial took a long time coming but they got what was deserved in the end thank you Geoff.
Great tribute to all these crews. A great feature is to see that some lived to ripe old ages and and sadly, a great many never even made it to the end of the war in the ETO in May 1945. Thank you very much Geoff.
Lovely tribute thanks, all brave men who got on with the job.
The raid failed, and it was a war crime.
Les Knight was my 1st cousin. At one of the reunions his crew were, I think, the largest crew of survivors as Les kept the aircraft up long enough for them all to bail out and they became POWs.
Paid my respects two weeks ago at Les Knights grave in Den Ham. He has the company of two other RAF crew.
Thank you. My dad was great friends with Tammy, your production is the first conformation of him being called Tammy. My dad taught Tony's wife to drive in the 1990's. Tony said then, that he felt he was the only prison survivor of that raid. Two hour conversation, many interesting opinions from Mr Bircher. Tony had so many thoughts, I am happy to elaborate.
In 2003 at the UK Advanced Command and Staff Course I was lucky to be in the presence of a few of the survivors for the 60th commemoration. Not being RAF or Aircrew I did not get a chance to speak to any of them that night; but it was incredible nonetheless. I can't recall how many were there, but this suggests it could not have been more than ten - absolute max! Our RAF colleagues would play a bit of the the famous 1955 film, and as the section played, they had a spotlight on the real men at the table with us, so we could see who they were. But I did get to meet Jim Wallwork the following year in Normandy... the man who according to the D-Day chief of allied air operations, Air Chief Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory, was responsible "the greatest feat of flying of the second world war". Jim was an Army Staff Sergeant who landed the first Glider on D-Day just 15 meters from Pegasus bridge.
Cracking video, thanks for posting.
Pure Courage....RIP everyone of these heroes
And to think Gibson was only 25 at the time of the Dambusters.
This 16/17th May it will 75 years ago that these brave men took to the skies for Chastise.
I will take the time to pay my tribute at Rheinberg War Cemetery to the Dambusters who are buried there.
Good work!! A fantastic tribute to all of those brave souls
It is so very difficult for someone like me who has,thank God, never had to fight in a
war, to try and imagine the courage of these men, all of them, who flew in bomber command
I'm born in the town where AJ-A for Appl, flown by S/L Dinghy Young, received their first hit returning from the Möhne Dam because he started flying higher when he reached the coast. He then was hit a 2nd time in the town where I went to school and crashed near the coast of Castricum when he attempted to land on a sandbar (so the official squadron story goes).
The locations and fortifications where Young got hit are still there.
Seeing these men has two impacts on me...tears of sadness at the loss of so many young brave men, but my heart swells with pride.
Superb feature. It's so nice to see the incredible range of nationalities represented here but also so sad to see the names and faces of all of those that died during the mission. Their loss was not in vain as the Germans diverted many resources to protect the dams after the Dambuster raids which also cause significant disruption at the time. It also set precedents for precision bombing which overall cost less lives than area bombing both on the ground and in the air.
Other than having to pause the video at each crew to give me time to read all the information that was very good. Heroes all,
Well done Geoff -just came across this tonight -good work.
Have since my last post visited all their graves in the Netherlands. Les Knight in Den Ham was the last 4 weeks ago, he gave his life saving his crew and the village of Den Ham. #wewillrememberthem
Thank you for this fine tribute - must have taken no little time and effort.
Highest respect to those brave men....
Never forgotten...
None but the brave...
R.I.P.
Thank you all...
I salute you...
💓💟💖💞💗💝👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
My grandad was in the 9th squadron . Front gunner/ bomber navigator. Was part of the damn busters as well as successfully sank the Tripitz. Donald Montague McDonald. Flew for RAF. not sure why he and his crew was not shown here. Maybe an incomplete list. Would like to learn more about the 9th squadron.
Courage and determination exemplified. Marvellous men who saved the War
@James Henderson And your carping criticism also misses its mark by a country mile. Please fuck off.
The Best of British character and men. May their souls all be with God.🇬🇧
Great tribute. I believe the BBC did the same thing but all on a huge eposter that you could tap to see the details of each man.
I believe they managed to get a photo of every man, though some might have been in late teens, pre military - if you wanted to use their photos for your gaps?
We stand on the shoulders of giants. When England had decency and morals and men with nerves of steel. Makes you weep whats become of it.
Never a truer word!
Ops,did not mean he was the best crew member,he was the best dad anyone could have had. Miss him so,he has two wonderful great grandson's he never met but would loved as they have the same interests as dad had.
How wonderful to know. I would rather have a dambusters lad as family, than a duke. And to know he was a lovely dad... If I was the sort of person to be jealous of such things, I would be.
One of the dambusters boys ended up ill and dying alone in a manky sad little flat. Wasn't found immediately. That is heart breaking. Whether it was in his psyche from the start or the war, he was a bit of a hermit. Clearly drove away those who would have looked after him. I was very sad to dig that up.
Another dambuster earned his living, for a while, selling insurance, door to door! Now, they would probably earn a living going on talk shows, being guest speakers, etc. So extraordinary they mostly disappeared back into a suburban family life.
Every time I imagine a dambuster lad knocking on a door and asking if the householder wanted insurance, and imagining so many doors slammed in his face! It is very hard to stop fretting about it. And within 10 years of that, he haf been a national hero!
I feel really happy that your dad was lovely - and that he got his happy ever after.
I just can't imagine how your chest doesn't explode with love and pride, at every thought of him.
Hugs from Oz.
Certainly brings a tear to the eye of any of us with the slightest bit of patriotism left.
Cried my eyes out because i remember people who were alive then. And life was very different in the 50's and 60's when i grew up. They had different priorities after the war. It was a better world.
There is a tendency to think of the actors in the film as the 'real deal'
These of course were real people.
They wouldn't have thought so at the time but they were and still are, 'a breed apart'.
Bomber Command 1939 - 45.
Amen to that.
I wish I could have a fraction of their courage, god bless. R.I.P.
Absolutely brilliant video mate thank you!
Not all heros wear capes..... Some fly air planes and stare death into its face! True heros, thank you for your sacrifice and what you did!!
The operation was a complete failure, and a war crime.
Lies as always.
My daughter is at uni in Lincoln, close to Scampton, and her boyfriend is in the RAF at Waddington. With clearance, she has been to Scampton and seen the buildings where these brave men were training and meeting. She has been to the grave of Wing Commander Gibson’s dog and we hope to get to pay our respects on a trip to Holland next year to Wing Commander Gibson. And soon we shall visit the grave of Richard Todd, at St Guthlac’s Church in Little Panton, who played Gibson in the movie.
These men all true heroes brave beyond words may they rest in peace!
Such brave young men rip xxx
Bravest of the brave for ever and a day
Squadron Leader Kenneth Brown and his Brother Keg Brown where members of my family .Both gone 2:48 now.
I am Japanese.
At that time, Britain was an enemy.
But we celebrate the proud British spirit.
Whether they were friends or enemies, I am grateful that I am who I am today thanks to the people of that era.
I'm sorry in poor English.
The UK should never have betrayed its alliance with the Empire of Japan after World War I.
Each one looks like my dad when he married mum in 1939. Stand down all crews.
Great respect to all these men. Warner Ottley was the brother of my stepfather Richard Taylor Ottley who married my mother in 1967. A German divorced woman!!! Wasn't easy for the parents having lost their oldest son over Germany. But, being the lovely people they were, all was good in the end❤
Some very good historic reading.
John Marriot was the last Dambuster to get a photo in the BBC eposter.
So brave
Remarkable, where on earth did you find all these photos? A great tribute, thanks for posting.
1 min 44 frank e appleby is my great great uncle
Hi Mighty Apple, Sorry I missed this. As you may have noticed, I have not been able to ascertain the Date of Death of Frank Appleby. Could you please help me with this information Cheers Geoff
@@geoffswallow9452 appleby died in 1996
My first cousin, Harry Feneron, was flight engineer on Ken Browns AJ-F (third wave).
Related to heroes (my old man was Royal Navy)
Quite an exclusive club!
Have a pint on me lads!
No Squadron Leader Richard Stansfield Derek (Terry) Kearns, D.S.O., D.F.C., D.F.M.?
Hi Claire, sorry I missed this. S/L Kearns was not on the Dams raid. Is that what you mean?
There were other distinguished 'Dambusters' who came to 617 Squadron after the Dams Raid: indeed, many of the "Dams" raiders were lost on the disastrous "Dortmund-Ems Canal" attack by 617 in September '43.
Is it true that Guy Gibson was shot down by ,friendly fire ,??
A couple of pieces of later information that I am unable to alter - The death of the second last living Dambuster, Frederick Sutherland of Canada passed away on 21/01/2019 and Frank Appleby of Les Munro's crew died on the 00/09/1996