Dambusters, Forging of a Legend - Special Signed Edition

Dambusters - The Forging of a Legend: 617 Squadron in World War Two by Chris Ward (author) Special signed 1st Edition Hardback, 2009 Although several books have previously been written on this epic adventure, this is a new look at their first raid and then the long and envious history of 617 until the end of the war. This new version of the Dams raid within the book, pays particular attention to timings, as it is easy to overlook the fact, that this was a complex three-phase operation, spanning 8 hours and 47 minutes, with action occurring simultaneously at widely dispersed locations. It also attempts to settle finally the circumstances of the losses, by examining the testimony of eyewitnesses on both sides, and presenting arguments to help readers decide for themselves what actually happened where previous accounts are contradictory or at variance. In the later war years 617 suffered greatly during an attack on the Dortmund-Ems Canal but recovered and their list of priority special targets then included the German missile research plant at Peenemunde, Hamburg, the U boat pens at La Pallice and the sinking of the battleship Tirpitz. The legendary Leonard Cheshire VC led the Squadron for much of that period. This newly researched account of 617's wartime record contains many first-hand accounts from squadron members and also German and Dutch witnesses who were present at some of the most spectacular raids and have explained many of the mysterious losses of the Squadron s aircraft. Lengthy appendices contain a Roll of Honour, Commanders, Airfields and aircraft, Operational statistics and Aircraft Histories. The book contains a Special Limited Edition bookplate (see image below) numbered out of 20, which has been personally signed by the following distinguished RAF 617 Squadron Dambuster aircew veterans who flew on Operation Chastise, May 1943; Squadron Leader John "Les" Munro CNZM, DSO, QSO, DFC (A pilot from New Zealand, he flew Lancasters with 97 and 617 "Dambusters" Squadrons and was involved in the famous raid of May 1943. He flew in formation two, of five aircraft on Operation Chastise, flying Lancaster ED921 "AJ-W" and scheduled to attack the Sorpe Dam. His aircraft was badly damaged by flak over the Netherlands and he had to return back to base.) Squadron Leader George "Johnny" Johnson MBE, DFM (Navigator & Gunner with 97, 617, 100 & 120 Squadrons. He was a Dambuster Raid veteran, flying as a bomb aimer with Joe McCarthy's crew in Lancaster "AJ-T" against the Sorpe Dam) Edition Size: 20

---

• Shipping: 

---