Dambusters: Flypast Marks Raid Anniversary

The 70th anniversary of the Dambusters raid has been marked with a flypast featuring a Lancaster bomber, two Spitfires and two Tornado fast jets.

The famous aircraft flew over the dam on Derwent Reservoir in Derbyshire and then over nearby Chatsworth House where the public gathered to watch.

A sunset service at the former home of 617 Squadron, RAF Scampton, has also been held with two of the three surviving aircrew as guests of honour.

In 1943, led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, the crews in the 19 aircraft of 617 Squadron, made up of a coalition of the willing from Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and one American, practised dropping the untested bouncing bomb from 60ft over the dam in the Peak District before flying on the actual mission on the evening of May 16.

Their target was to destroy three dams in the Ruhr Valley to deliver a punch against Nazi Germany's industrial war machine.

They succeeded in breaching the Mohne and Eder dams and damaged the Sorpe but lost eight aircraft and 53 men doing so. Three were captured, becoming prisoners of war.

The daughter of Barnes Wallis, the inventor of the Bouncing Bomb, was also at the sunset ceremony at RAF Scrampton, which saw another flypast and the Lancaster touch down at the base.

Speaking at the ceremony, Air Vice Marshal Stuart Atha said: "Exactly 70 years ago tonight, airmen drawn from across the Commonwealth launched in 19 Lancasters to deliver the most daring operation of all time.

"Under a full moon armed with only self belief and carrying bouncing bombs they flew at tree-top level deep into hostile territory to deliver an attack that marked a turning point in the war."

Throughout the day the RAF has been tweeting the Morse Code signals as they happened , using their Twitter feed @RoyalAirForceUK. They are also posting tweets when significant moments happened during the raid.

Wing Commander David Arthuton who leads the modern day 617 Squadron and is involved in the commemorations told Sky News: "I took command of 617 Squadron in October 2012 and it is a privilege and an honour to lead one of the best-known Royal Air Force Squadrons in this anniversary year.

"The dams raid epitomised ingenuity, immense bravery, superb flying skills and the will to overcome adversity.

"Wing Commander Guy Gibson VC led his team with great focus and utter determination and the qualities and values they displayed then are those that form the foundation of the RAF today."

The destruction of the three dams was a mighty blow to Nazi Germany. It has been suggested by some that the mission was largely a PR exercise but in truth it took Germany completely by surprised.

The Dambusters demonstrated for the first time that a single bomb could destroy vital infrastructure. It was the first example of precision bombing.

The blanket raids that characterised the blitz were the only tactic. And Germany had to rebuild these edifices at a time when they could ill afford to redeploy resources from elsewhere.

Wing Commander Guy Gibson was awarded the Victoria Cross for his leadership and bravery on the night. Thirty-three others were decorated. Their average age was in the early twenties. Gibson himself was just 24.