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Last Surviving Pilot Of Dambusters Raid Dies

The last surviving pilot who took part in the Dambusters raid during World War II has died.

Squadron Leader Les Munro died in hospital in Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty in New Zealand, his friend Ron Mayhill revealed

He had been unwell for around a week but his death was still a shock, the 91-year-old president of the New Zealand Bomber Command Association said.

"This is a surprise and a real disappointment," Mr Mahill said.

"He was a fine man, not just because he was famous as part of the Dambusters but as a man and as a person he was a very fine person.

"He got decorations in civil as well as military life. He was a justice of the peace, he was a local councillor, he was a mayor.

"His life was all about service."

Sqn Ldr Munro was part of the famous RAF 617 Squadron which carried out the "bouncing bomb" raid to destroy dams in Germany during World War II.

It gained its name after dropping drum-shaped bombs which bounced over water and exploded at the base of dam walls in the Ruhr valley.

The bouncing bombs had been specially designed for the raid, officially known as Operation Chastise, by engineer Sir Barnes Wallis.

While RAF pilots usually flew at least 250ft above ground, the Dambusters flew at only 60ft, at night.

The daring raids - carried out on the night of 16-17 May, 1943 - were considered a huge success.

Two dams, the Moehne and Eder, were destroyed, leading to major flooding in the Ruhr valley and the destruction of hydroelectric plants, mines and factories considered key to the Nazi war effort.

Mr Munro was in the news earlier this year, when he gave his medals to Tory peer Lord Ashcroft, in exchange for a donation that would protect the Bomber Command Memorial in London.

A deal was done that meant Mr Munro's medals were given to the Museum of Transport and Technology in Mr Munro's native New Zealand.

Speaking at the time he said: "I am content that I have achieved my goal of doing all I can to ensure that the men of Bomber Command who lost their lives during the Second World War will be remembered with pride for generations to come."

He added that he had been "touched" by the interest generated from the sale.

The veteran pilot returned to Britain in 2008 to attend a flypast over the Peak District by a Lancaster bomber, similar to the one used by the RAF's 617 Squadron, to mark the squadron's 65th anniversary.

Speaking about the event, he said: "In a way it's very emotional. I'm not one to get emotional about things but it's very nice to be back here. I'm very pleased to have had the opportunity to attend.

"It does surprise me that people of subsequent generations take part in things like this, but it's up to the individual how they react."