The daring and iconic Dambuster raid (Operation Chastise) on 16th/17th May 1943 caught the public’s imagination at the time and thanks to the book and film has held it ever since. It matters not that its success in smashing the three dams was only partial - it was a triumph of scientific innovation combined with flying skill and courage. In this fascinating book award-winning writer Nigel McCrery examines the events of that fateful unforgettable night raid from a new angle. Taking each Lancaster bomber in turn, he identifies every member of the crew and describes their lives, roles and fate - a horrific 53 of the 133-aircrew involved were killed during the raid. Those lost included 13 RCAF and two RAAF airmen. Many survivors were killed later in the War: Wing Commander Guy Gibson VC being one. In addition, we learn how each of the 19 Lancasters fared. Only 11 returned and we learn what happened to these during the rest of the War. Thanks to extensive research this is a moving and revealing expose of the most famous bomber raid of the Second World War - or any war. AUTHOR: Born in 1953, Nigel McCrery travelled extensively during his childhood as his father was in the RAF. They settled in Nottingham. He served in the Nottinghamshire Constabulary between 1978 and 1987. He then read History at Trinity College, Cambridge and joined the BBC graduate entry course. He has written or been responsible for a number of highly successful BBC series and films including Silent Witness, New Tricks and All The King’s Men. He has written over a dozen novels. Into Touch - Rugby Players Killed in The Great War, Final Wicket - Cricketers Killed in The Great War , The Coming Storm - Test and First Class Cricketers Killed in World War Two, The Extinguished Flame - Olympians Killed in the Great War and Olympians Who Perished in the Second World War are in print with Pen and Sword Military. Nigel lives in Nottingham. Richard Black was educated at Trinity School, Croydon and University College, London joining their Air Squadron. A keen collector of medals and aviation related artefacts, he formed Chelsea Military Antiques in 1997 before setting up The London Medal Company, the UK’s biggest medal dealership in 2010. He has long been interested in The Dams Raid, having handled many of their medals and artefacts such as log books. He lives close to Biggin Hill with his wife and four children.
200 b/w illustrations