The Dambusters

[@Trayusstudent1]

I saw the unedited film for the first time the other night and absolutely loved it. I can see why the end scene of Barnes Wallace and Gibson is highly regarded. I had a tear in my eye at the end. A beautiful film and really shows how brilliant Britain was in those times. 10/10

[@Sheena1234ization]

wow 11 years ago!

[@bodieofci5418]

One of the best British films ever. No remakes please.

[@charitybeau]

So glad to find this. When I was in the band in high school, our director had us play this for a concert. I loved it then, and now knowing what the amazing story is about, I love it even more.

[@citrus737]

Joe McCarthy was born on Long Island, New York in 1919 and grew up in New York City. Fascinated by aircraft and flying, he worked as a lifeguard at Coney Island and many other beaches in the New York area and at other odd jobs to pay for flying lessons. On three occasions he attempted to join the Army Air Corps. Each time he was told that he would hear back from them but he never did.

[@jatlarge6354]

Great music this, always have to sit on my hands every time I hear it, otherwise I want to play air conductor!

[@AJNorth]

Director Michael Anderson, 1920 - 2018. RIP.

[@vanmorg]

TO THE GLORIOUS MEMORY OF HENRY ERIC MAUDSLAY DFC, SQUADRON LEADER RAFVR KILLED IN THE ATTACK ON THE MOHNE DAM 16TH - 17TH MAY 1943 AGED 21 YEARS. My great grandad. Thanks for giving us our freedom.

[@Bruce-1956]

I visited the graves of all the Dambusters who are buried in the Netherlands and Germany. Les Knight who died saving a Dutch village, Den Ham, from disaster after the raid. Brave, brave men.

[@romanyman]

Amazingly brave men and a great tribute to them .This version of the theme music is easilly the finest of all versions been hunting for it but it dont seem to be avaliable other than on the film . Stirring stuff !

[@southlondon63]

my mrs thinks im mad but this makes the hairs on my back stand up, let us remember those very brave men.

[@markharrison2544]

They were terrorists.

[@LouisL1963]

@@markharrison2544 No, not terrorists - brave men who had to take the fight back to the Nazis. Easy to condemn the crews of both the RAF & the USAAF post WW2.. Let's not forget it was the Luftwaffe Kondor Legion that began "area bombing" in the Spanish Civil War on Guernica where they managed to kill loads of civilians too. War is a dirty business, but I'm grateful that the Free World emerged victorious and hope that we never have to endure another world conflict.

[@jamiepash2489]

Never Forget RIP

[@MrLinwood68]

Goosebumps - Long live the memory of Wing Commander Guy Gibson VC DSO DFC & Sir Barnes Wallis CBE!

[@saberoflondon]

R.I.P. Richard Todd.

[@jack015136]

R.I.P. Wing Commander Guy Gibson, Died 19 September 1944, age 26. Also his navigator, Squadron Leader Jim Warwick, Died alongside Gibson, 19 September 1944. And this has got to be the best music ever.

[@Bruce-1956]

Buried in Steenbergen. Visited by many. The spot where his plane crashed has been commemorated. Brave men

[@Krzyszczynski]

Still get the goosebumps when I hear the opening chords and see those swirling clouds in the sky .... Forget the dog's name for the moment: I'm wondering what MUSIC Peter J will be using for the remake. I just can't think of any other movie where the subject matter and the theme tune are so indissolubly linked. You could conceive of even Star Wars with another soundtrack, but The Dambusters? Never in this world.

[@stracepipe]

@orcstr8d The film is a historical document and reflects that attitudes, customs and vocabulary of its day. You can't just rewrite history. It would set a precedent that would enable people to demand the editing out anything that they deemed 'offensive'. I know people who would happily rewrite the 2nd world war with us as the aggressors. The BBC for example are very keen to criticise the Allied bombing campaign. Re your last point. is Tintin racist for calling his dog Snowy?

[@angelofoz46]

Amazing this all happened without today's technology. Thanks for the input..

[@tiresias101]

@vanmorg You have every right to be very proud of your great grandfather. The attack on the Dams really had an effect on German industry at the turning point of the war. It is cited specifically by historian Adam Tooze in his brilliant study of the German war economy (chapter 18).

[@jarviss64]

It wasn't an "Allied" raid at all. It was the RAF and 617 Squadron was made up of men from almost all the commonwealth nations. Joe McCarthy was there as a Canadian, not as part of the US Army Air Force.

[@mctavish199]

Well if it was made up of commonwealth nations, it was an allied operation. Do you have a problem understanding "allies"?

[@rhampshire]

lol at fratton park we sung this to jens lehman(german goalkeeper) classic!

[@kevinastraw]

I seem to remember there is a small hiccup in the script - at the beginning Wallis accepts that he invented the bouncing bomb, later he says that the idea came from Nelson's tactic of firing into the sea so that the cannon balls would bounce into the enemy's ships.

[@charlesstuart7290]

The US was stupid to turn down a lot of British innovations that seemed daft but worked in WWII

[@charlesstuart7290]

@James Henderson The line that it didn't affect German industrial production was a bit of a myth. Sure they did repairs but by diverting these resources they hurt their war production, and they largely did what they were supposed to do when all other ordinance failed.

[@Krzyszczynski]

The weapons at about 6 tons were too heavy to be able to plough through under the water to the dam wall, so they had to skip over the surface instead. When they reached the wall, the backspin put on them prior to dropping ensured they remained in contact with it for the explosion.

[@stevenredd]

Peter Jackson is set to direct the remake, and Stephen Fry purportedly has written a script. This is one of the great marches. Coates was a brilliant composer....amazing.

[@Bruce-1956]

14 years later and still no remake. Had something to do with the dog's name.

[@dave41184]

Strange that only two aircraft went down in the attacks , arguably the most dangerous part of the mission as a whole.Brave men every one of them!

[@citrus737]

Joe McCarthy, born Long Island New York 1919. Pilot on the raid. Just for you guys who believe there was not an American on the raid. You are wrong.

[@alpearson9158]

he was not with any American military group but fought as a Canadian in the RCAF . Birth nationality irrelevant

[@thegeneralmitch]

This was not so much a strategic victory so much as a moral one. we were retreating on all fronts, the threat of invasion was still a posibility. The dam buster raid raised the moral of the ordinary person and made them believe that Britain was not out of the fight.

[@____________5402]

my all time favourite war movie

[@MakCw]

Best Pilots ever!! RAF rules.. God Bless. Best regards, Semper Fi

[@shathriel]

actually the distance from the damn wall they needed to drop the bombs and the speed they were doing would have meant trying to climb whilst losing speed in front of the flak towers , easier to fly through them and pull away after clearing the dams.

[@dave41184]

@vanmorg Maudslay was brought down by Flak in Holland on the return journey after dropping his bomb at the Eder dam

[@Myles0Harcourt]

Although in the book and the film, to dramatise them, they made it a hit and run.

[@dave41184]

There was one American aircraft captain , Joe McCarthy - and he was flying under the Canadian Air force banner as he volunteered to fly for them. Other aircraft in the wave designated to attack the Sorpe were shot down , hit high tension wires , or returned early with damage before reaching the dam.

[@Myles0Harcourt]

Best of British.

[@PhotogsHangar]

Well said!!!

[@oldleamingtonian]

@vanmorg Your great grandad was born in Leamington Spa on 21 July 1921. Do you happen to have a photograph of him? I am a member of the Leamington History group and would like to write a piece about him and his service with 633 Squadron. Thanks a lot.

[@peace-now]

Hi. I think you mean 617 Squadron.

[@fodsaks]

Hear hear!

[@oldedwardian1778]

As a Brit who has lived in the US for 50 years it still ERKS me when anyone refer to SIX SEVENTEEN SQUADRON. I always correct them, IT’S 617 Squadron.

[@theakamark]

@stracepipe Good point but didn't you read or see 1984?

[@Myles0Harcourt]

@davidsmith2304 I agree Much as I like peter Jackson, I can't help dreading the remake. I can't see how it can be better than this, except for the historical accuracy. However many people would have said the same for LOTR, and he made that well.

[@jack015136]

It was not given to the U.S. Joe McCarthy flew under the Canadian banner and commanded a crew of two Australians and three Englishmen

[@avianskipdiver]

Wallis. His name was WALLIS. He wasn't some Grommet sidekick. (See what I did there?)

[@citrus737]

Joseph Charles "Joe" McCarthy DSO DFC and BAR - The RCAF's American Dambuster

[@dave41184]

There's a Dambusters group on facebook and a guy who is currently working on the film has left a few bits and pieces of info on whats happening re: the remake :)

[@centurionfox3827]

Good luck to you all

[@dave41184]

The tallboy weighed 6 tons , the grand slam was just under ten...

[@codeseagle]

that were peaceful civilians and not soldiers !

[@wyb80]

Absolutely love this film, Fantastic! Very well made, well acted...everything. Some very atmospheric scenes in it as well. Shame they can't make films like this any more...too busy with computerised effects and ego boosting the pathetic celebs!! ....sorry, rant over :)

[@avianskipdiver]

Difficult dam to break yes, but the easiest to bomb and totally undefended, I expect that's why they gave it to the American. Anyway he was having to be Canadian because the Americans were too scared to get involved.

[@mctavish199]

Totally undefended? I suppose the flak towers were just shooting off fireworks?

[@alpearson9158]

@@mctavish199 at Sorpe no

[@Krzyszczynski]

The dams were simply too massive to be damaged by conventional bombs, even of 10 tons (which Lancasters were incapable of carrying anyway in 1943). And the Upkeep weapon had to explode (1) in direct contact with the dam wall so that the shock wave thus generated would be big enough to burst the concrete, and (2) in the water so that the wave would be contained sufficiently to be effective on the concrete. (Continued)

[@Joe90ridesahonda]

nothing untrue was said,we will not forget,even if the germans seem keen to do so.

[@bodieofci5418]

Arise for the national anthem :)

[@backnumber1662]

not true, the war had turned in 42 this took place in May 43. We were winning by then

[@alpearson9158]

actually the war turned Sept 1940 at the battle of Britain but would have taken much longer without the US

[@dave41184]

The Mohne was the primary target, that part of the raid being commanded by Gibson as leader of the force. How Could McCarthy command the Sorpe part of the raid if he arrived there on his own (as a result of leaving late in the spare aircraft) , bombed on his own , and left for home on his own? Someone set this guy straight for goodness sake!

[@grandpathong]

ignore him. some americans still have trouble understanding that winning the war was a multi-national effort. fortunately i never had that problem. my grandfather is an american who served in burma and to this day he still believes general slim was the best allied general in the entire pacific theater.

[@jack015136]

I know he was from US but he was flying voluntarily under Canadian Flag. US were not involved ever at all.

[@dave41184]

53 were killed or missing , 3 more survived to become prisoners of war

[@jessesands4099]

The 9 dislikes are Germans of course!🤨🇩🇪

[@jarviss64]

It was an English operation, the bomb was designed in England, it was conceived by Englishmen, and flown by the Royal Air Force. There were lots of Australians because at the time Australia, New Zealand and Canada were dominions of England. At the the time, dominions were bound by British foreign policy, so they when Britain declared war the dominions were automatically involved. Your knowledge of history is quite poor.

[@observe45]

I think the USSR had a bit to do with Berlin falling, and the death of a certain Mr Hitler, I don't recall the USSR having many American generals. Didn't the Americans drown their own tank crews at Normandy, whilst refusing to adopt the British modifications? Why, I do believe they did.

[@codeseagle]

in call of duty 1 you have to eleminate the flak guns on that dam

[@grandpathong]

i'll say this as an american: not every goddamn victory in the war can be attributed to us, but (like every other major allied player) more than a few screw ups can. by attributing the success of operation chastise to the involvement of a single american, you are really doing a grave disservice to the other personnel who took part, especially to the 53 who were killed in the raid and the 3 who became prisoners.

[@vanmorg]

Apologies! AJ-Z "Zebra" was shot down over Emmerich, Holland!

[@angelofoz46]

Yes, brave and if presented today who knows if it would have gone ahead? It just seemed so far fetched.

[@Tankysyd]

Great Film, Great Music, Now If only I could find a Black labradore and call him nigar, and drive around in a 1930's MG roadster. But I wonder if I would be allowed in this PC world. Their finest hour.

[@wyb80]

If they do a re-make and change the name of Guys dog, then really, why not just change the aircraft to bright pink, blue , orange boeng 737s ...have Guy Gibson drive a Porsche, have an I-Phone..... . They could omit the spotlights under the Planes as they could use G.P.S..............might as well get Disney to do the Re-make!!...could then include some 'Cute' characters in the film as it would make great merchandising money! ......surley nobody will notice?,,,,,,,

[@Reggyrail]

with that level of argument you really aren't worth the effort.

[@EasyCompanyAirborne]

As mentioned, the Sorpe dam was the most difficult, almost impossible to breach. It was given to the Americans - as you said, Joe McCarthy, the commander of this raid, to do it. The English always took the easy ones for themselves. Leave the hard stuff to the American flyboys.

[@alpearson9158]

complete fffing idiot alert

[@GeneralMaxwell3]

@EasyCompany Airborne What do you mean a America adventure? 1. There was only one American, 2. This wasn't a adventure..God I hate Americans who think they are the cause of the win of WWII, yeah they had a big part in it, but USSR, France, Britain and all other allies were just as big as a part, maybe even bigger. So get your facts straight.

[@EasyCompanyAirborne]

Huh? What has this to do with the Dambusters. Stay on topic please. Also Normandy? What? The Dambusters raid was in Germany, not France. Again, when you needed a job done, the America flyboys like Joe McCarthy were there.

[@thegeneralmitch]

whoops, got my dates mixed up again

[@swanningaround]

aviation. Come on! I don't think that this action made much difference one way or the other. The battles of Moscow (land), Midway (sea) and Britain (air) were all much more important battles determining the outcome of WW2.

[@citrus737]

You're wrong pal. There was indeed one American pilot in the raid. Check your history before spouting off.

[@alpearson9158]

serving as a Canadian having taken the oath to the King and Canada so maybe stop the crap

[@EasyCompanyAirborne]

Don't ever forget that the Americans are at the heart of every allied successful operation. This was an allied operation and not an English one. There were Americans there, plus Scots, Rhodesians, Australians, Indians, New Zealanders and Canadians.

[@alpearson9158]

the one American borne pilot was a member of the RCAF thus representing Canada as was one other RCAF pilot that was lost on the way in

[@EasyCompanyAirborne]

A great American adventure. The most difficult dam was tasked to the Amercans.

[@mctavish199]

Shove it, EAC.

[@alpearson9158]

no USAF involvement as usual the ignorant spew pure bull shyte

[@sunnymarky]

hope peter jackson does the remake

[@citrus737]

The US were involved. Heard of Lend/Lease? Fuel and food? US entered the war in 43.

[@mctavish199]

Try December 1941.

[@alpearson9158]

@@mctavish199 actually much like ww1 not the day the war began

[@jack015136]

Why do the yanks think they defeated the Nazis, yeah you defeated Japan, but they didn't determine the outcome of the war.

[@EasyCompanyAirborne]

Rubbish. I attended an Anzac day parade in Melbourne in the mid 1980s. The parade had over 100 men in uniform from the 617 Squadron. Don't EVER say that it was English. That is a complete lie. Don't ever call Australia a "dominion" either. Australia is a Commonwealth.

[@mctavish199]

Easy there, Bruce.

[@alpearson9158]

Australia was a Dominion at thatn time and there is no such think as Commonwealth description. Yes Australia is a nation within the commonwealth of nations by choice

[@southlondon63]

It bores the fuck out of the mrs but this film is the bollocks

[@EasyCompanyAirborne]

Rubbish. How come there were so many Australians there then. 617 Squadron was full of Australians. They were allies, weren't they. It wasn't just English. In fact., the English lead part of the mission. Of course, the English took the credit. Don't they always?

[@mctavish199]

Jesus, you really have a hard on for the English. I was going to ask you to stop posting this kind of hsit, but I see that you continue. You're started to sound like Clint Eastwood: Get off my lawn.

[@alpearson9158]

your histrionics are irrelevant as much as your poor education demonstrates. 617 was an RAF squadron that contained numerous commonwealth nationalities . All were volunteers and all accepted the RAF leadership for this squadron. As real allies they all worked together for a common purpose; something lacking in some peoples level of comprehension