Breaking the German Dams: A Minute-By-Minute Account of Operation Chastise, May 1943

On May 16 and 17, 1943, No. 617 Squadron conducted Operation Chastise, attacking German dams on the Eder, Moehne, and Sorpe rivers using special bouncing bombs. This minute-by-minute retelling of the raid is complemented by first-hand accounts from those involved, making it an impressive feat of non-fiction writing about one of the most awe-inspiring operations in British military history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 03 May 2023
Publisher: Greenhill Books

From eight o'clock onwards, the scenes outside the crew rooms of 617 Squadron were truly unforgettable. I watched each Lancaster take flight from the window of my office, but I couldn't resist the temptation to venture outside to witness the boys roaring away into the rapidly approaching twilight. It was an exhilarating experience, as they flew at less than 150 feet from the ground. I stood there, gaping in awe, hardly able to comprehend the significance of what I was seeing.

On the evening of Sunday, 16 May, 1943, the night air around Lincolnshire was filled with the sound of Lancaster bombers as two waves of Allied aircraft took off from RAF Scampton, heading towards the Ruhr Valley. The mission? To attack the German dams on the Eder, Moehne, and Sorpe rivers using special bouncing bombs—a daring operation known as Operation Chastise.

In this remarkable work, Dr. Robert Owen, a renowned expert on No. 617 Squadron, takes us on a microscopic journey through the events of 16 and 17 May 1943, providing a precise and chronological account of the raid. Every action leading up to, during, and following the raid is marked with a precise time stamp, making it an informative, gripping, and easy-to-follow reading experience.

Owen's compilation of first-hand accounts from those involved in the Dambusters Raid complements this minute-by-minute retelling perfectly, adding depth and insight to our understanding and appreciation of this extraordinary military operation.

Breaking the German Dams is a truly impressive feat of non-fiction writing, shedding light on one of the most awe-inspiring operations in British military history. Readers will be left thoroughly versed in the details and emotions of this remarkable story, which will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact.

With a foreword by World War II aviation expert and author James Holland, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in military history, aviation, or the bravery of those who served during World War II.

Weight: 576g
Dimension: 163 x 241 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781784389628