5612 x 3745 px | 47,5 x 31,7 cm | 18,7 x 12,5 inches | 300dpi
Aufnahmedatum:
26. August 2015
Ort:
Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa, UK
Weitere Informationen:
The hotel building served as a military hospital for injured soldiers during the Great War, but it is as the home of the legendary RAF 617 “Dambusters” Squadron in World War Two that Petwood is best known. Occupied from 1942, it was originally home to officers of the 97 and 619 squadrons, but with nearby Woodhall Airfield chosen as the operational base, 619 squadron moved away and the officers of 617 moved in. Composed of Canadian, New Zealand and Australian as well as British Air Force personnel, 617 Squadron were a top secret group entrusted with the task of crippling three key German Dams. Carried out on May 17th 1943, this crucial attack was called “Operation Chastise” and utilised an ingenious “Bouncing Bomb” designed by engineer Barnes Wallis. The bouncing explosive was a stroke of genius, able to be launched directly at targets before it detonated underwater, creating a “bubble pulse” effect capable of causing huge damage to enemy targets. The Squadrons badge, picturing a breached wall, and motto “Apres moi, le deluge” (“After me, the flood”) pay homage to the deadly effectiveness of the mission. Today, the Squadron Bar hosts a range of memorabilia and tributes to Guy Gibson VC, Leonard Cheshire VC and their Officers. Petwood was a scene of some jubilant celebrations with the breakthroughs made by Squadron 617, as well as tragic losses. We can only imagine the sheer bravery of the Squadron and the huge risks they took in enemy territory, facing death time and again. Guy Gibson alone, the Squadron’s heroic young Wing Commander, carried out over 170 raids by the age of 24. Just two years later he was killed in action.
