The
Derwent and Howden Dams were built between 1901-1916, and for many years
they remained at peace in the Derwent Valley, their waters only
disturbed by the occasional storm, then the peace and tranquility of the
valley was shattered and their waters flurried as the roar of Merlin
engines powered a Lancaster bomber over the dam walls, as 617 Squadron
began their training runs for that amazing attack on the Great Dams of
Western Germany in World War II.
Derwent
Dam (pictured)
was
chosen by the Lancaster bomber pilots as one of the areas for practising
their intensive low level flying and bomb aiming techniques as it was
very similar to the Germany
dams they were going to attack. They
needed to practice as it was a new " bouncing bomb" (invented
by Dr Barnes Wallis) The idea was to drop the spherical bomb onto the
water as one would skim a pebble, sending it bouncing along until it
reached the dam wall, then it would sink to a certain depth and explode,
breaching the dam wall. The practice raid was actually carried by a RAF
Officer called Guy Gibson and he got the Victoria Cross for his efforts
- our highest award for military gallantry. So over the next six weeks
the valley had to endure this kind of disturbance as Lancaster after
Lancaster roared down the valley at low level. It soon became evident
that a southbound flight path over the Derwent Valley proved to present
insufficient challengers for the aircrews, so they used Bamford Church
Tower as a turning point and returned northbound to face a much harder
exit from the valley.
Many
complaints were lodged by locals. Serious vibrations and loss of roof
tiles, while the Lancasters were also blamed for a fall in milk and egg
productions, some people even envied the aircrews, since many thought
the pilots were out joyriding at a time of a serious fuel shortage.
I
remember a time at Derwent when a local farmer was telling Johnnie
Johnson (D.F.C., A.J.N.), that his hens stopped laying when the training
was on, Johnnie just smiled and said "Small price to pay for a few
eggs!' Of course after news broke of the dams raid everyone realised why
the Lancasters had been in the Derwent Valley.
After
those long dark war years the Derwent Valley returned to its peace and
tranquility, until once again it reverberated to the roar of Merlin
engines, this time however only one Lancaster appeared, and although it
was wearing its wartime camouflage flight this time was for remembrance,
and not the perfection of a wartime technique, as it paid tribute to
the, its men who laid down their lives on that ~ famous dams raid
Over
the years, many armchair critics and so-called historians have tried to
make these gallant men hang their heads in shame and forget about the
war. During those dark years, Bomber Command lost some 58,000 British
Commonwealth and Allied aircrew. 8,000 were killed in training, many
raids were the equivalent of a major battle carried out from the first
to the last day of the war, this coupled with the massive losses
incurred by the ground crew; made sure they really did pay for our
freedom. We may never; repay that debt, but we must see that it is never
forgotten.
[back
to top]
ALTHOUGH
the war finished in 1945, this was not the end of the Derwent Valley's
association with The Dambusters.
In
February 1946, Lady Frances Riverdale (a resident of nearby Grindleford)
suggested to the Derwent Valley Water Board that, in memory of Guy Gibson
who had been killed in September 1944, it might be 'possible to name one
of the lakes, embankments or roads by his name as a fitting memorial
gesture to one of the most outstanding exploits of the war...! The Board
did consider the idea sympathetically, but felt unable to identify
anything that could form a suitable memorial to Gibson.
It was the 1954 filming of 'The Dambusters' - starring Richard Todd as Guy
Gibson and featuring the stirring theme tune composed by Eric Coates -
that really brought back memories for local people. After originally
failing to seek permission from the Water Board, the Associated British
Picture Corporation filmed for two weeks in August using one Lancaster and
two Shakleton bombers from R.A.F Waddington in Lincolnshire. Filming took
place in daylight, with the film itself being over-exposed to create the
night-time effect.
By
its producer's admission the film is a simplified and dramatised version
of the story, and sharp-eyed viewers will catch sight of the Ladybower
Reservoir which – although the dam was being completed in 1943 - did not
actually hold much water when 617 Squadron were training. Furthermore, the
tower of Derwent Church was demolished in 1947, so the landmark that was
so well-known to the original crews did not appear in the film. Also at
the end of the film, long after Guy's dog was dead and buried, Richard
Todd is talking to Michael Redgrave (Gibson, Wallis) a black Labrador can
be seen running around the airfield, over Todd's left shoulder. 'The ghost
of Guy's dog lived on!
No
filming of ground level action was needed in the Derwent Valley, but
Richard Todd - who, along with other cast members, closely resembled the
airmen they were portraying - has visited the area on a number of
occasions.
[back to top]
50th
ANNIVERSARY
AFTER
THE 45th, we knew we must do something at Derwent to mark the 50th,
unfortunately, so did everyone else. Invitations to the 617 Association
and Squadron poured in. Each one was looked at and a programme of events
drawn up. Derwent's was to be held on 19 May. Because most of the events
were in Lincolnshire, the members were based in Woodhall Spa which meant
a long bus trip over in time for the luncheon at 12 noon in Bamford. All
the worlds media, even a Japanese film crew were present at the Dam, and
Central TV chose to do a live broadcast which was great, but when that
happens all your times have to fit in with the TV schedule and not when
you want them, but with all that said, the Central team were so
professional and great people to work with, and luckily we met all their
times without a hitch. With so many people wanting to attend the event,
for security reasons a Park and Ride system had to be put in place, the
main problem was the Derwent Valley has only one road in and out and it
was always going to be a no win task. A massive grandstand was built to
seat the VIP's, and the area in front of Derwent Dam was made into an
arena, with displays, stalls and exhibitions.
A small airshow was
arranged with the main flypasts coming later in the day. After the
Memorial Service, the arrival of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
Lancaster brought the usual lump to the throat and tears to the eyes.
The original
members
were stood on the west wall walkway doing their TV interviews when the
Lancaster came into view; the look on their faces is something I will
never forget. Les Munro, told me he remembered turning over a golf
course in Bamford, before making his return run up the Valley. Joe
McCarthy was feeling a little tired and anything I asked of him was
always met with the t1How far do I have to walk?". After
the interviews the guests and visitors settled down to watch what can
only be described as the finest Red Arrows display ever seen in the UK,
breathtaking, but surely there cannot be a better setting for it.
The
following day was to have been one to enjoy, plus a chance for all the
helpers and their families to look round the static displays, but rain
soon spread into the valley and really put paid to that idea. A grand
fireworks display and reception was a tremendous success in the evening.
The centre piece of the display was a fire drawing of a Lancaster with a
50 foot wing span set up on the east bank at Derwent, the whole display
was brilliant and all credit to 'Theatre of Fir& who produced it.
After the last glittering firework had long since fallen back to earth,
now it was my turn, the valley was hung in a damp mist, the visitors had
gone home and the only sounds now were the voices of the wet and tired
workers who had performed miracles over the two days of the event and were
now going home for a welcome break.
Memorial Plaque
[back to top]
After
locking the gate at Derwent, I stood on the giant purpose built
grandstand, overlooking the valley, the emergency floodlights were sending
beams of light skyward resembling the search lights which hunted out the
Lancasters during the war, and it was hard not to let your mind run wild
as you recall not only the event days, but the months before when there
seemed to be more flak about than on the raid, and most seemed to be aimed
at yours truly The problems on the main day seemed to be with the toilets
and the very long delays with the Park and Ride which was always going to
be at risk, when you are holding something like the Cup Final in a small
valley with one main road in and out. So many people wanted to attend
85,000 was the estimate, on the plus side it had been a great reunion for
the members and guests. The TV programme passed without a hitch, Richard
Todd had to be flown in and leave straight after the live broadcast to get
back down south to appear on stage that same evening.
Total
credit for this must go to Brian Jones, Peak Park Ranger. Brian loaded
Richard into his Land Rover and managed to get through the crowds to the
helicopter waiting to whisk Mr. Todd away Within two days the valley had
returned to normal, with no lasting damage, and although many had a long
wait to get home, I know not one person would have missed the occasion.
Those who were there witnessed history being made at first hand. 50
years earlier, a group of very brave men flew out of Scampton airfield
to breach Dams and became legends, now all those years later, The
Dambusters had returned to the Derwent Valley.....
SO
BE IT
