The High Peak Dambuster: Sergeant Jack Marriott DFM

Sergeant Jack Marriott was a flight engineer on Lancaster ED937 during the Dambusters Raid. His Lancaster, Z-Zebra, reached the Moehne Dam but was shot down on the Dutch border. Marriott's story continued after the raid, particularly during the filming of the 1955 epic Dam Busters.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 28 February 2022
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

Operation Chastise, the daring attack on the Ruhr Valley dams, stands as one of the most renowned airborne operations in history. On the night of 16/17 May 1943, a remarkable team of 133 men, known as the Dambusters, embarked on a mission to target six dams located deep within Germany. Among these daring aviators were eighteen Lancasters, each specially modified for the task at hand. Tragically, eight of the bombers and 56 aircrew members did not return home. Among the aircrew who took part in this historic operation were three individuals hailing from the picturesque High Peak region of Derbyshire. Flight Lieutenant Bill Astell, the pilot of ED864, hailed from Coombs near Chapel-en-le-Frith. Unfortunately, his journey ended when he flew into electricity pylons on his way to the dams, resulting in his tragic death. Sergeant John Nugent, the navigator of ED924, managed to survive the Dambusters Raid but tragically lost his life later in the war. The focus of this biography lies on the third High Peak Dambuster, Sergeant Jack Marriott, a lesser-known figure who played a crucial role in the attack. Marriott served as the flight engineer on Lancaster ED937 during Operation Chastise. His Lancaster, Z-Zebra, successfully reached the Moehne Dam, only to discover that it had already been breached, with five bouncing bombs having already been released. The crew, led by Squadron Leader Henry Maudslay DFC, proceeded to the Eder Dam, where their bouncing bomb exploded beneath the Lancaster after striking the parapet of the structure. Despite the damaged Lancaster's struggle to return home, it was shot down on the Dutch border, claiming the lives of Jack and his crew. However, Jack's story did not end there. In this biography, Frank Pleszak delves into the life of this remarkable individual, exploring his RAF service prior to joining 617 Squadron and the events leading up to and during Operation Chastise itself. But for Jack, one of the immortal Dambusters, his tale continued beyond that historic night. Particularly noteworthy is his involvement in the filming of the 1955 epic Dam Busters, in which his aircraft featured prominently. Through this lens, we gain a deeper understanding of Jack's legacy and the enduring impact he left on the world of aviation and cinema.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399097468