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Dambusters & Main Force

Discussion in 'Weapons & Technology in WWII' started by Martin Bull, Dec 1, 2002.

  1. Martin Bull

    Martin Bull Acting Wg. Cdr

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    Trivial this may be but while researching for the 'What Happened Today' thread I came across something I hadn't realised before..

    In December 1944 Bomber Command launched a series of 'Main Force' attacks on the Urft Dam in the Eifel. It's interesting to compare the relative effort : -

    617 Squadron sent 19 aircraft on the Dams Raid in May 1943, losing 8 but destroying two dams.

    In total, 5 & 8 Group despatched 544 sorties (! :eek: ) to the Urft Dam, achieving only 13ft of masonry dislodged from the top of the dam but losing only 2 aircraft.

    A 'blunt instrument' indeed....
     
    Martin Bull, Dec 1, 2002
    #1
  2. Kai-Petri

    Kai-Petri Kenraali

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    Thanx for the Information, Martin! Quite interesting!

    What can you say? Better luck next time...?? :eek: :confused:
     
    Kai-Petri, Dec 1, 2002
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  3. Andreas Seidel

    Andreas Seidel Member

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    "We'll get that damned dam!!" ;)
     
    Andreas Seidel, Dec 1, 2002
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