The Ruhr Dam Raids

WEATHER: Niteowl
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On the night of 16-17 May, 1943, the
most famous night bombing mission of
World War Two was carried out by 617
Squadron/No.5 Bomber Group, RAF.
Nineteen specially lightened Lancas-
ter bombers piloted by some of
Bomber Command's most experienced
crews made daring low-level attacks
on several dams in the area surroun-
ding the Ruhr. All aircraft carried 
the special Wallis Drum Bomb - a
4,000-lb explosive device which
could be skipped across the surface
of a reservoir and into the face of
a dam. There was only one problem -
the bomb HAD to be dropped at an al-
titude of 60 ft.(!) To make sure
that the attack was carried out at
the correct altitude,two lights
were mounted in the Lanc's bomb bay,
and set at an angle so that their
beams would form a single circle
on the water below at exactly 60
feet. Despite the courage and extra-
ordinary flying exhibited by the
crews, the mission results were mixed;
the Sorpe Dam was undamaged, the Eder
and Mohne Dams were repaired in a few
short months, and 617 Sqn lost 8 of
19 aircraft dispatched on the raid.
ORDERS:
Attack the Mohne Dam and breach it
using your special bombs. Make your
attack at LEAST as low as 100 ft.


