617 SQN & ATTACK ON THE TIRPITZ SIGNING EVENT - 16th December
We're delighted to announce a rare opportunity to meet veterans who served with the famous 617 Sqn and those who took part in raids against the mighty German battleship Tirpitz.
THE EVENT IS NOW FULL
After an overwhelming response from our friends and collectors, all places have now been filled and unfortunately, for health and safety reasons, we are unable to allow entry to anyone without a ticket.
If you haven’t reserved a place but would like to come along then we can add you to the waiting list – contact us for details.
If you have reserved a ticket but are now unable to attend then please let us know so that we can release your space for a fellow collector.
Thanks for your cooperation.
One of the most elite precision-bombing units of World War II, 617 Squadron was formed to carry out the famous ‘bouncing-bomb’ Dambuster Raids of May 1943. They later carried both the Tallboy and Grand Slam bombs on many special missions including the Saumur Tunnel, Uft Dam, Bielefeld Viaduct, Ems Canal, Arnsberg Viaduct, V-Weapons sights, Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest at Berchtesgaden and against the mighty German battleship Tirpitz.
The 'Pride of the Kriegsmarine', the 45,900 ton Tirpitz was the largest battleship in Hitler's Navy and one of the most powerful warships in the world. It was sleek, fast and heavily-armoured with a vast arsenal that included eight 15-inch guns - no wonder Churchill often called her 'The Beast'. Both the RAF and Fleet Air Arm regularly carried out attacks and on 12 November 1944 Lancasters of 617 and 9 Squadrons finally succeeded.
We regret to inform that Wing Commander JOHN BELL MBE DFC Ld’H is under the weather and will not be able to attend tomorrow's event.
We will be joined by the following veterans:
Squadron Leader GEORGE ‘JOHNNY’ JOHNSON MBE DFM - previously with 97 Sqn, he joined 617 Sqn as Bomb Aimer on Lancaster AJ-T ‘Tommy’ which attacked the Sorpe Dam as part of the famous Dambusters Raid, scoring a direct hit. It is of great historical significance that 'Johnny' is now the last surviving British Dambuster to take part in the raids.
Squadron Leader BENNY GOODMAN Ld’H - flew Lancasters with 617 Sqn where he completed a full tour of 30 Ops’ including missions over Germany, Holland and France as well as taking part in all of the raids against the German Battleship Tirpitz.
Flight Lieutenant SYDNEY GRIMES - completed a full tour as a Wireless Operator on Lancasters with 106 Sqn before joining 617 Sqn for a second tour. His first mission was attacking the German battleship Tirpitz, before returning a month later on the mission that sank it. He finished the war having completed a total of 43 Ops’.
Lieutenant KEITH QUILTER DSC RN - helping form 1842 Sqn in 1944, he served on board HMS Formidable equipped with Corsairs and attacked the Tirpitz three times; twice on strafing missions and a third dive-bomb attack. Sailing to the Far East with the British Pacific Fleet to support US Navy operations, he flew at Okinawa and was involved in sweeps and ground attacks on Japanese airfields on neighbouring islands. Whilst in the Pacific he was shot down attacking a Destroyer but rescued by a US submarine.
SPECIAL GUEST- Dr ROBERT OWEN - the recent book THE DAMBUSTERS was painstakingly researched with the direct assistance of Robert, Official Historian of 617 Squadron Association and a Trustee of the Barnes Wallis Foundation.
Entry to our Gallery events is FREE but for safety reasons it is important to RESERVE YOUR TICKET IN ADVANCE. Unfortunately, on event days, we can't allow entry to anyone who hasn't reserved a place. Even if you're not 100% sure that you can make it, please book your place in advance and if your plans change, just let us know.
Bookings are now being taken so please contact us to reserve your place!
