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Dambusters Raid
Bomber Command

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At 9:30 pm on May 16, 1943 W/C Gibson took off to lead No. 617 Squadron to the Dams. The primary tactic that was used to reach the targets was low flying. The North Sea was crossed at the lowest possible altitude to avoid enemy radar. Once the enemy coast was reached, extremely low altitude was maintained in order to escape attack by enemy fighters.

The navigation, once the enemy coast had been crossed, was largely in the hands of the bomb aimer who, lying on his chest at the front of the aircraft, used a special roller to identify important features such as railway lines and canals and to avoid high-tension lines.



W/C Gibson at door; P/O Taerum (right).






Bomber Command Museum of Canada