Dam Busters. 70 years on, 16-17 May

[jmorgan]

Right, probably fall foul of the pea roast plod of some obscure thread name or its in planes etc and the search not helping or I need glasses. Tomorrow evening (16 May 2013).

http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/wpcwp/the-dambus...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0175nh1

Keep hearing ads for some radio stuff as well.

[y2blade]

Thank you.

[ali_kat]

Mum worked with one of the RAF pilots that tested it in Florida, when he was the GM @ Lucas Batteries (he was the first researcher in the world to demonstrate that all bodies in the universe, whose ages can be measured, appeared to have originated at the same time, some five thousand million years ago. And was one of the pathfinders whose work led towards the establishment of NASA and the birth of the space programme)

They tested it on sharks.

[Mutley]

jmorgan said:

..http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/wpcwp/the-dambusters-70-years-on....

I see the Timewatch show is hosted by James Holland, I've liked his presentation style on shows previously, and reading his book "Fortress Malta" his style of mixing facts in a 1st person format has taken a while to get used to.

Is he now the war historian?

[MK1 GIT]

Shall be watching and will watch the film in the middle.

[KenJ]

Does anyone know whether the Dambusters film will be shown over the weekend?

[ali_kat]

C5

5pm ish Saturday

[daveydave7]

Will they beep out the name of the dog ?

[Mutley]

Yes, they will

Why do people focus on that? While historically accurate, it's a minor part of the film

[ali_kat]

It's C5 so possibly not

Actually, I think the dog is a big part of the film & the plan. The person that killed him on the morning of the raid never came forward, rare for those times, it's thought it was a deliberate act of malice to Gibson in order to stop him flying. It certainly affected the morale of whole team.

[Eric Mc]

And it was also the code word for knocking one of the dams down - so it's central to the story.

However, I agree that too many people get fixated on the word and ruin most discussions on the mission.

[y2blade]

Also radio 2 tomorrow:

On Friday 17 May, BBC Radio 2 marks the Dambusters 70th anniversary with a special day of programming.
Chris Evans to broadcast from the home of the Dambusters – RAF Scampton – and to fly in a Lancaster Bomber
Featuring Dambusters veterans and Barnes Wallis’ daughter
The largest live music event for the anniversary - Friday Night Is Music Night presents The Dambusters 70 Years On from Biggin Hill Airport
The Central Band of the RAF to perform a new composition, plus the Military Wives Choir and the BBC Concert Orchestra
http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2013/d...



Breakfast show tomorrow:
"Live from RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, Chris explores Wing Commander Guy Gibson's base and meets the people who can explain the science and history behind Operation Chastise, more commonly known as the Dambuster raids. Later in the day, on Jeremy Vine's show, you'll be able to hear Chris on his flight from RAF Scampton to Biggin Hill onboard the Lancaster Bomber."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01sd1cc

Then:
"Jeremy is live at ex-RAF airport Biggin Hill in Kent, discussing the legacy of the Dambusters. He'll discuss the mission, the science behind it, the impact it had, and look at the future of the RAF and what it takes to become a pilot. Chris Evans will be due to land in a Lancaster Bomber during the programme, and we'll hear from the last surviving veterans from the original mission."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01sd1ch

Friday night:
"Dermot O'Leary and Jeremy Vine present a special Friday Night is Music Night commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Dambusters Raid.

The iconic story will be re-told with music from the BBC Concert Orchestra and the Central Band of the RAF, live at Biggin Hill Airport. The evening will also feature drama and special messages from veterans and Barnes Wallis' daughter.

Thursday 16 and Friday 17 May 2013 mark the 70th anniversary of the Dambusters Raid - an operation which changed the course of the Second World War. Nineteen Lancaster Bombers, each carrying the 'Bouncing Bomb', took off from Lincolnshire to destroy the dams of the Ruhr Valley at the heart of Germany's war-machine.

The crews came from Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Eight aircraft didn't return. In total, 133 airmen took part in the raid, 53 of them died. In Germany almost 2000 lives were lost as a result of the dams being breached"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01sd1cr

[jmorgan]

y2blade said:

Also radio 2 tomorrow:

excellent stuff

thought I had heard all sorts of radio ads for 4 and 2.


Edit. Just finished John Sweetman's book on the subject. A lot more up to date. And have James Holland on audio book on the race to smash the dams. Both good.

Edited by jmorgan on Thursday 16th May 08:28

[y2blade]

jmorgan said:

y2blade said:

Also radio 2 tomorrow:

excellent stuff

thought I had heard all sorts of radio ads for 4 and 2.

If you find out more than I've posted about please let us know, I'd love to follow as much of it as possible.

[jmorgan]

Mutley said:

I see the Timewatch show is hosted by James Holland, I've liked his presentation style on shows previously, and reading his book "Fortress Malta" his style of mixing facts in a 1st person format has taken a while to get used to.

Is he now the war historian?

I have one of his books on this subject that is very good. Not sure if he is the new historian or just "a" historian but knows about this subject? I do prefer someone who knows the subject and is passionate about it to present something like this, find out this evening.

[Eric Mc]

James Holland is a relative newcomer but is actually a very good writer and TV presenter. So far, he has hosted three TV documentaries - one on the Battle of Britain, one on the Dambuster Raid and one on Malta. His history books are also very good.

He is also a novelist and is currently writing a series based on a character called Sergeant Jack Tanner. It is an attempt to write a Sharpe type series set in World War 2. They are very entertaining and very "Boy's Own" in their style.

Holland has his own website -

http://www.griffonmerlin.com/

[daveydave7]

Eric Mc said:

And it was also the code word for knocking one of the dams down - so it's central to the story.

However, I agree that too many people get fixated on the word and ruin most discussions on the mission.

I posted it because I have seen the film both with it in and edited out there was talk of a remake that seems to have dyed down now and they were even going to rename the dog.
How long will it be before we have fictitious discussions between bomber pilots and crews inserted into films about the morality of what they are about to do so as to satisfy the apologists we are surrounded with

[RicksAlfas]

I may have mentioned before but his novels for youngsters are also excellent.
The series is "Duty Calls" and so far there has been Dunkirk and Battle of Britain. Well recommended if you have a 10+ who is interested in military tales.

[Eric Mc]

daveydave7 said:

I posted it because I have seen the film both with it in and edited out there was talk of a remake that seems to have dyed down now and they were even going to rename the dog.
How long will it be before we have fictitious discussions between bomber pilots and crews inserted into films about the morality of what they are about to do so as to satisfy the apologists we are surrounded with

An example of the way these threads get derailed.

I think the "apologists" are far less vociferous than they were even ten years ago.

[The Don of Croy]

For me, one of the most astonishing parts of this mission is the timescale. What was it, 3 months from Barnes Wallis getting backing to the raid?

That's 3 months to prove a theory on 'bouncing' bombs, adapt aircraft, train crews, adopt new techniques...necessity is the mother of invention I suppose.

Perhaps someone should allow the MoD procurement division to see the film/read the book.