FEATURES


Germans mounted their last significant offensive on the Eastern Front. The raid also had political consequences. Prime Minister Winston Churchill was visiting America at the time he was able to make considerable capital from the attack and specifically referred to it in an address to the American Congress. American and British newspapers also made much of the attack.


aircraft still had to make their way home across hundreds of miles of hostile territory. On the return trip two more aircraft were shot down. In all eight aircraft from the raid were lost resulting in the deaths of 53 men, three more became PoWs.


The flooding from the breached dams affected a wide area, inundating many factories and damaging or destroying power stations, road and rail bridges, and other facilities. The loss of power and water for the Ruhr, crucial to many manufacturing processes, was also significant and a large number of towns were


temporarily deprived of water. The Germans had to draft in tens of thousands of workers to repair the damaged dams and other facilities, including at least 7000 workers removed from building the Atlantic Wall defences against Allied invasion with direct positive results a year later during the D-Day invasion. The Germans also constructed elaborate defences at all the dams in the Ruhr and elsewhere, diverting considerable military and construction resources in the process.


Both ammunition and coal production fell after the attack, just at the point that the


Although the human cost of the raid was high, and unsustainable on a regular basis, it should be remembered that it represented less than a 1000th of Bomber Command’s total losses, and the results of the attack, politically, economically and militarily undoubtedly made it worthwhile.


Air crew decorated after the raid were: Victoria Cross – 1; Distinguished Service Order – 5; Distinguished Flying Cross – 10; Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross – 4; Conspicuous Gallantry Medal – 2; Distinguished Flying Medal 11; Bar to Distinguished Flying Medal – 1.


[Synopsis taken from article written by Sebastian Cox, Head of the Air Historical Branch. To read the full account visit www.raf-ff.org.uk] 


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Shoulder to shoulder with all who Serve Registered Charity No. 219279 Ad 2 (131x186mm).indd 1 24 Envoy Spring 2013


14/08/2012 11:08:43 www.raf-ff.org.uk


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