Following Leonard Cheshire's arrival on the squadron as commanding officer during November 1943, the 'Dambusters' were very busy with a great number and variety of operations. However during May, the squadron began intensive training for a "different type of special operation."

The following excerpt from the biography, 'Big Joe -The RCAF's American Dambuster', tells of the preparation, training and execution by Joe McCarthy and 617 Squadron of 'Operation Taxable' that was flown during the night prior to D-Day.

'Big Joe' was published by the Bomber Command Museum of Canada and is available at the museum or through our on-line gift shop.