#lancasterbomber

Operation Chastise

Operation Chastise, the 'Dambusters' raid, was an attack by a squadron of RAF Lancaster bombers on the dams of the Ruhr basin in Germany in May 1943. Led by Squadron Leader Guy Gibson, the bombers breached two dams causing enormous flooding in the valleys below, disrupting industrial targets and killing at least 1,300 civilians.

Lancaster Bomber

The Avro 683 Lancaster bomber was a four-engine heavy bomber flown by the Royal Air Force and allies during the Second World War (1939-45). Lancasters were particularly used in nighttime bombing raids and could carry the heaviest bombs ever dropped in WWII. Lancasters dropped the 'bouncing bombs' on several Ruhr dams in Operation Chastise, the 'Dam Buster' raid of May 1943.

Why history is important.

I live in super insignificant, north Wales. The area I live in was once great, world leading. We produced steel, we had a docks, we had an RAF base, we had an aircraft factory that built the Lancaster bomber.

All we have now is grade 2 listed hangers that can’t be torn down and a factory that builds the wings for the Airbus A380. We have gone from being a hive of ships, trains, plans and production to the only unique thing about us is the Beluga, the world’s largest plane, regularly in our skies, collecting and delivering wings to France. The docks are silted up and the airforce base is in the process of being made into houses and a retail park.

However, today the Lancaster bomber has come home. The Royal Airforces Battle of Britain flight team is staying overnight at the local airfield attached to Airbus.

And in the picture you can see the tiny Lancaster facing the gigantic Beluga. To think the Lancaster effective helped Britain and Europe win the war. And compare it what we have built now to transport wings for commercial planes. That is what 75 years of progress looks like.

That is the history of my area facing its present. Where we were and where we are now. Important not to forget the steps along the way.

Also very surreal to see spitfires flying around today alongside planes coming into Liverpool and Manchester, large enough you can make out their colour schemes. It’s like seeing a scooter next to a transit van. 😂