Synopsis
In probably one of the best known and most widely told stories of the Second World War, nineteen Lancaster bombers of 617 Squadron, led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, raided the great hydroelectric dams of western Germany in May 1943. Each Lancaster was equipped with the revolutionary bouncing bomb designed by the inventor Barnes Wallis, creator of the Wellington bomber. Designed to skip over the surface of the water, the bombs rotated at 500 rpm. They had to be dropped at a speed of 240 miles an hour and were set to explode while sinking to the base of the dam's retaining wall. It took five attempts to breach the Moehne Dam. Gibson then led the three remaining Lancasters to attack the Eder Dam. The unleashed floodwaters inundated the Ruhr valley below, killing thousands and causing German industry to grind to a halt. Eight of the nineteen aircraft involved in the raid failed to return to base. Wing Commander Gibson, only twenty-four at the time of the mission, was awarded the Victoria Cross. He was killed in action sixteen months later. In later years the strategic impact of the raid was deemed to be less than was thought at the time, but the fillip it gave to civilian and Service morale in wartime Britain was incalculable. In 1954 the raid was immortalized in The Dambusters, starring Michael Redgrave and Richard Todd, who contributes a foreword to the book. A box office success, the film has become a classic, the music score being one of the best known of all time.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Jonathan Falconer is the author of more than 20 books on aspects of aviation history, including the best-selling Filming The Dam Busters and RAF Bomber Airfields of World War Two. Jonathan is a senior commissioning editor with Haynes.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Search results for The Dam Busters: Breaking the Great Dams of Western...
Stock Image
The Dam Busters
Seller: AwesomeBooks, Wallingford, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. The Dam Busters This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. . Seller Inventory # 7719-9780750929745
Buy Used
US$ 6.54
US$ 5.55 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Dam Busters: Breaking the Great Dams of Western Germany 16-17 May 1943
Published by
History Press (SC) April 2003, 2003
ISBN 10: 075092974X
ISBN 13: 9780750929745
Used
Hardcover
Seller: R Bookmark, Youngtown, AZ, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Used - Acceptable. Dust Jacket Condition: Fair. Dust jacket has shelf wear. Seller Inventory # 312022
Stock Image
The Dam Busters : Breaking the Great Dams of Western Germany 16-17 May 1943
Published by
History Press Limited, The, 1996
ISBN 10: 075092974X
ISBN 13: 9780750929745
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Better World Books Ltd, Dunfermline, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Former library copy. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Includes library markings. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good. Seller Inventory # 50341138-20
Buy Used
US$ 7.40
US$ 6.74 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Dam Busters : Breaking the Great Dams of Western Germany 16-17 May 1943
Published by
History Press Limited, The, 1996
ISBN 10: 075092974X
ISBN 13: 9780750929745
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Better World Books Ltd, Dunfermline, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good. Seller Inventory # 54224656-75
Buy Used
US$ 7.40
US$ 6.74 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Dam Busters
Published by
The History Press 28/03/1996, 1996
ISBN 10: 075092974X
ISBN 13: 9780750929745
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Bahamut Media, Reading, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Shipped within 24 hours from our UK warehouse. Clean, undamaged book with no damage to pages and minimal wear to the cover. Spine still tight, in very good condition. Remember if you are not happy, you are covered by our 100% money back guarantee. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780750929745
Buy Used
US$ 6.54
US$ 9.41 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Dam Busters
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardback. Condition: Good. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine. Seller Inventory # GOR002135080
Buy Used
US$ 13.88
US$ 7.55 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Dam Busters: Breaking the Great Dams of Western Germany 16-17 May 1943
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR001628745
Buy Used
US$ 13.88
US$ 7.55 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 5 available
Stock Image
The Dam Busters: Breaking the Great Dams of Western Germany 16-17 May 1943
Seller: Books From California, Simi Valley, CA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Seller Inventory # mon0003705002
Seller Image
The Dam Busters: breaking the great dams of Western Germany 16-17 May 1943
Published by
Sutton Publishing, Stroud, 2003
ISBN 10: 075092974X
ISBN 13: 9780750929745
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Cotswold Internet Books, Cheltenham, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
1st edition, 2003, signed by author on title page. A tidy copy in firm binding. B&W & colour illustrations Used - Very Good. SIGNED copy VG hardback in VG dustjacket. Seller Inventory # BOOKS302080I
Buy Used
US$ 5.55
US$ 18.87 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Dam Busters: Breaking the Great Dams of Western Germany 16-17 May 1943
Published by
Sutton Publishing, 2003
ISBN 10: 075092974X
ISBN 13: 9780750929745
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: W. Lamm, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hard Cover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. First Edition; Third Printing. Tight, clean and crisp. A faint hint of storage rubbing to dustjacket, otherwise As New. No inscriptions. No remainder mark. Not price clipped. Not ex-library. An excellent copy now protected in a new Mylar cover. ; 11.73 X 8.35 X 0.94 inches; 288 pages. Seller Inventory # 18374