Breaching the Eder by Simon Smith   Depicts Lancaster AJ-N of pilot officer Les Knight having just dropped the final bomb which actually breached the dam, climbing steeply to avoid the mountain behind the dam. So moved by Simon Smith's reproduction of the event, Flight Lieutenant Edward C Johnson DFC took the unprecedented step of endorsing the painting itself with his signature, as well as the first 400 copies of the print.   Signature: Edward C Johnson - bomb aimer, Ray Grayston - Flight Engineer, Frederick Sutherland - RCAF Rear Gunner. This epic story of the Dam Busters needs little introduction. An elite squadron of hand-picked airmen were put together under the command of Wing commander Guy Gibson. Their mission was to destroy the hydroelectric dams of the Ruhr, causing millions of tons of water to crash into the German munitions factories. The best known of the dams is of course, the heavily defended Mohna which was the first to be breached. Having destroyed this dam, five of the remaining aircraft, only three still carrying Barnes Wallis' famous 'Upkeep' bomb flew onto their second, but no less important target, the Eder Dam. Although defended by flak, the Eder was surrounded on all sides by steep mountains making the approach extremely hazardous. The Dambusters by Simon Smith   Gibson and Martins attack run 16th May 1943.  Signed by five crew, Edward C Johnson - bomb aimer, Ray Grayston - Flight Engineer, Frederick Sutherland - RCAF Rear Gunner, George Chalmers and George Johnson Tonight We Make History by Keith Aspinall  Guy Gibson, Micky Martin and John Hopgood outward bound from Scampton on the evening of 16th May 1943. Dambusters Outward Bound by Simon Smith  Depicts the aircraft setting out over Norfolk prior to their epic mission, available signed by artist only or  also countersigned by two members of the squadron. and artist proofs with two further members of this elite squad.This epic story of the Dam Busters needs little introduction. An elite squadron of hand-picked airmen were put together under the command of Wing commander Guy Gibson. Their mission was to destroy the hydroelectric dams of the Ruhr, causing millions of tons of water to crash into the German munitions factories. The best known of the dams is of course, the heavily defended Mohne which was the first to be breached. Having destroyed this dam, five of the remaining aircraft, only three still carrying Barnes Wallis' famous 'Upkeep' bomb flew onto their second, but no less important target, the Eder Dam. Although defended by flak, the Eder was surrounded on all sides by steep mountains making the approach extremely hazardous.   Target Y "The Eder Dam Raid", The Rhur Valley, 17th May 1942 by David Pentland   At 0154am, Pilot officer Les Knight in Avro Lancaster AJ-N transmitted the codeword "Dinghy", the signal that the Eder Dam had been successfully breached. Although the target was undefended by flak, its location made it extremely difficult to hit. In fact, four of the five aircraft involved in the attack failed in their attempts and Knights' was the last available aircraft carrying the last available bomb! Gibson  by Robert Tomlin  Guy Gibson in  his specially modified Avro Lancaster, makes his first run over the Mohne Dam to create a legend that will live forever.

Eye of the Storm - The Dambusters by Philip West  Wing Commander Gibsons aircraft in the foreground and Flt. Lt. Martins in the distance, both draw flak away from Sqn. Ldr. Youngs Lancaster after it has dropped its Bouncing Bomb and makes its escape over the Mohne Dam. Lead by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, 19 Lancasters departed their home base in three waves, each aircraft armed with a single bouncing bomb developed by Barnes Wallis. The targets were German dams in the heart of the industrial Ruhr. The resulting attacks breached the Mohne and Eder Dams with attempts also on the Sorpe and Schwelme Dams. For his leadership and courage, Gibson was awarded the Victoria Cross. 34 other men also received decorations. Operation Chastise - The Dambuster Raid by Barry Price  617 Squadron took off from RAF Scampton led by Wg Cdr G P Gibson. Specially adapted Lancasters were used. The fourth aircraft to attack, AJ@A (ED877) piloted by Sqn Ldr H M Young was the aircraft which breached the Mohne Dam. The attack was carried out under the a full moon for maximum nighttime visibility. The mine was released at an altitude of 60ft at 220mph. Codename for the cylindrical mine was 'Upkeep'. Diameter 50", length 60". Of the 19 who set out only 8 failed to return. Moonlight Run (Dambusters) by Ivan Berryman  In one of the finest portrayals of the Avro Lancaster, "Moonlight Run" depicts the aircraft of Fl. Lt. "Mickey" Martin (ED909 AJ-P) at the moment of release of the Wallace Bomb during the Dams raid on the Ruhr in 1943. With only the gentlest of moonlight rippling over the dark water of the Mohne, this dramatic picture plays homage to the impossible low altitudes and high speeds that were necessary to complete successfully their heroic mission. A stark and refreshing treatment of a subject at the hearts of all aviation historians. Homeward Bound by Nicolas Trudgian.    No single raid during World War Two has attracted more discussion, analysis, features, books, interviews, or been the subject of more films, documentaries, and TV programmes than the famous attack mounted by the RAF's 617 Squadron upon the mighty hydroelectric dams in Westphalia, on the night of 16/17 May, 1943.  led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, nineteen specially adapted Lancaster bombers, manned by 133 aircrew, culminated months of secret training when they made one of the most audacious raids of the war.  Flying at tree top height in darkness, and doing their best to avoid electricity pylons and other obstructions, they navigated their way deep into occupied territory.  Their targets were the huge Mohne, Sorpe, Ennepe, and Eder Dams that powered Germany's huge industrial factories in the heartland of the Ruhr.  Each bomber had to avoid enemy flak and fighters en route, locate their target, descend to precisely 60 feet above the water then, in the face of a barrage of anti-aircraft fire, release their single unique 10,000lb hydrostatic bomb at exactly the right moment.  There was no margin for error, and there was no place for faint hearts.  Eight of the crews that left RAF Scampton that night were never to return.  Of the fifty-six aircrew on boar only two survived.  Though nearly half the skilled  crews that made up 617 squadron were lost, they recorded one of the most successful and daring air raids of the war - a costly endeavour, but one that has become legend in the annals of aerial warfare.

The Dambusters. Breaching The Mohne by Gerald Coulson  On the night of 16th/17th May 1943 Wing Commander Guy Gibson led a small force of 19 Lancaster's of  617 Squadron on what was to become one of the most daring and ingenious raids in history.  Flying from RAF Scampton their mission - code named Operation Chastise - was to breach the mighty hydroelectric dams of the Ruhr, Mohne, Eder and Sorpe, a task which Arthur Harris had earlier described as impossible. Months of preparation had preceded the attack with the Squadron practicing the use of their unique bouncing bombs - code named Upkeep - the brain child of the brilliant Barnes Wallis.  The actual targets were only revealed to the crew's a short time before their departure however this elite unit were under no illusions as to the dangers of their mission.  Flying at altitudes as low as fifty feet and observing strict radio silence they would face heavy flak and ground fire crossing Holland to Germany.  On the run in to the target, using their height finding spotlights they would have to fly in complete darkness at precisely 60 feet before their lethal cargo could be released. Gerald Coulson has used his undeniable skills to recreate the attack on the Mohne Dam as Mick Martin's aircraft pulls away from the target. His 9,250lb bomb explodes behind him and although not actually breaching the dam wall, sends a huge plume of water into the air leaving a fine mist hanging in the atmosphere.  Guy Gibson having already made his run flies to Martin's right, lights on full drawing gun fire from the towers. Below them the power station hit by John Hopgood's bomb on the previous run is still engulfed in flames. The Dambusters Raid was probably the most brilliant air attack of the Second World War but the success was not without its cost.  Of the 19 aircraft that took part in the mission eight failed to return, in fact only 6 returned unscathed, with the loss of 53 aircrew.  The destruction of the Mohne and Eder Dams released over 150 million gallons of water into the Ruhr valley and caused widespread flooding and severe interruption to industry, communications and various utilities.  One of the most important consequences was that over 20,000 men had to be redeployed by the enemy to repair the damage.  Following the raid no fewer than 33 aircrew received decorations for gallantry, including Gibson's award of the Victoria Cross.