Dambusters (AU) - episode 4

Summary

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Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Dambusters (AU) - Episode 4

Date: April 25, 2026

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Episode Overview

This dramatic installment of Dambusters, as presented and narrated by Paul Brickhill (the real-life author of the original Dambusters account and 617 Squadron veteran), reenacts the tense period of preparation immediately preceding the famous WWII "dambusting" air raid. Episode 4 focuses on the aircrews’ intense, secret rehearsals, the strain of secrecy, anticipation, and the final, electrifying briefings where crews at last learn their bold target: the dams of the Ruhr, with hopes of inflicting a major blow to German industry.

The tone is tense but laced with camaraderie, soldier’s gallows humor, and the weight of duty. Authentic dialogue, brisk transitions, and historic narrative details create an atmosphere of suspense and poignancy leading up to the momentous operation.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Squad's Training and Secrecy (01:38–02:57)

• High-Intensity Training: Despite already being elite, the 617 Squadron is pushed further with rigorous drills for a mysterious mission.
• Secrecy: Only Wing Commander Guy Gibson knows the true mission. The rest of the squadron is kept in the dark.
  • Quote – "Security was so tight that in all the squadron, only the commander, Guy Gibson, knew the purpose of it all." – Paul Brickhill (01:38)
• Arrival of Modified Lancasters: The unique bombers, stripped down and modified to carry the top-secret ‘bouncing bombs’, arrive, causing pilots to joke sarcastically about their ungainly appearance.

2. Pressure on Guy Gibson (03:09–04:00)

• Command Stress: Gibson is visibly overworked, physically and mentally.
  • Quote – "You should see the doc about it. Things like that can turn nasty, particularly when you're a little below par." – Mickey Martin (03:20)
• Medical Warning: The squadron’s Medical Officer diagnoses Gibson with a carbuncle, prescribing leave—humorously dismissed as impossible for a whole squadron.

3. Test Flights and Bomb Practice (04:31–05:06)

• Test Run Mishap: Mickey Martin describes a dangerous close call during practice runs at low altitude, pointing out risks of flying just 60 ft above water.
  • Quote – "I had just enough control to get her nose off the water." – Mickey Martin (04:44)
• The importance of bringing up operational hazards at the next meeting is stressed to prevent disaster during the real raid.

4. Reconnaissance and Route Planning (05:38–08:09)

• Recon Photos Reveal Danger: High command reviews recent reconnaissance of the target dams, discovering newly-built flak positions, signaling the enemy has some forewarning.
  • Quote – "The only conclusion seems to be the new gun positions." – Senior Officer (06:08)
• Route Mapping: Expert Picard lays out two possible approaches to avoid flak and night fighters, each with trade-offs. The routing is fraught with risk.

5. Bombs Arrive and Near Disaster (08:35–09:43)

• Bomb Handling Farce: On the ground, armorers and aircrew joke nervously about not understanding how the new bombs work.
  • Quote – "What do they pay the armorers for? Answering silly questions from air crew." – Doc (08:54)
• Close Call: A practice bomb drops off unexpectedly, sending ground crew scrambling, highlighting the dangers before even reaching enemy lines.

6. Growing Tension and Personal Strain (10:06–13:44)

• Briefings and Morale: Gibson shares the planned routes but still withholds the actual target; everyone feels the weight of impending action.
  • Quote – "Any day now. Just a matter of tying everything together." – Guy Gibson (11:26)
• Personal Relationships: David Chenin’s spat with his partner Anne illustrates the emotional strain and uncertainty.
  • Quote – "I'm scared, Anne. I'm scared as I’ve never been scared before." – David Chenin (13:24)

7. Pre-Mission Jitters and Final Briefing (14:34–17:48)

• Squadron Edginess: Fatigue and nerves run high; rumors swirl ("Odds on we're gonna have a crack at the Tirpitz").
• The Big Reveal: At last, the official briefing (16:18) discloses the daring objective – to attack the major Ruhr dams using revolutionary bombs.
  • Quote – "You're going to have a chance to hit the Germans harder than a small force has ever done before. Very soon, we're going to attack the major dams of western Germany." – Paul Brickhill (16:18)
• Strategic Importance: Designer Barnes Wallis explains the bombs and the strategic effect of breaching the dams.
  • Quote – "If these dams can be burst, German heavy industry will be crippled beyond repair... I believe the war will be shortened by at least a year, probably more." – Barnes Wallis (17:59)

8. Technical Briefing and Target Defense (19:26–21:34)

• Bomb Mechanics: Wallis details how the bomb must be dropped precisely to succeed and avoid catastrophic misfire.
  • Quote – "If your bomb falls too far back, the shock wave will not be sufficiently strong to break the wall. If you aim too far forward, the bomb will hit the top of the wall and will quite literally blow up in your face." – Wallis/Narrator (19:55)
• Questions on Defenses: Crew inquire about anti-torpedo nets, flak, and barrage balloons; tactical concerns are addressed.

9. Final Orders, Code Words, and Tragedy (22:22–24:27)

• Departure Set: The mission is set for the following night, weather permitting.
• Security Code Chosen: Gibson suggests ‘Nigger’—his dog's name—as the success signal, tying back to squadron tradition and mascot.
  • Quote – "Why not call it Nigger? ... It’s my dog's name, sir. Kind of mascot. I can't take him on the raid, but I'd like to think he was with us in spirit." – Guy Gibson (22:44)
• Mascot Loss: In a bittersweet development, Gibson learns his dog has been killed (24:13), adding a personal note of loss on the eve of the high-stakes raid.

10. Last Night Rituals and Reflection (25:37–27:02)

• Stoic Camaraderie: The pilots try to support each other, sharing drinks, gallows humor and last-minute preparations.
  • Quote – "Sorry about nigger Guy." – Mickey Martin (25:55)
• Sleeping Pills Distributed: As the intensity mounts, sleeping pills are issued to the crews to ensure rest before the operation.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Security was so tight that in all the squadron, only the commander, Guy Gibson, knew the purpose of it all.” – Paul Brickhill (01:38)
• “If you don't watch it, you won't be in any shape to direct an operation.” – Mickey Martin (03:13)
• “I'm scared, Anne. I'm scared as I’ve never been scared before.” – David Chenin (13:24)
• “...We're going to attack the major dams of western Germany.” – Paul Brickhill (16:18)
• “If these dams can be burst, German heavy industry will be crippled beyond repair. ...the war will be shortened by at least a year, probably more.” – Barnes Wallis (17:59)
• “If your bomb falls too far back, the shock wave will not be sufficiently strong to break the wall. If you aim too far forward, the bomb will hit the top of the wall and will quite literally blow up in your face.” – Wallis/Narrator (19:55)
• "Why not call it Nigger?... It’s my dog's name, sir. Kind of mascot." – Guy Gibson (22:44)
• “Even the ruddy dog gets the chop when he doesn't expect it.” – Guy Gibson (26:13)

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Timestamps of Important Segments

• [01:38] – Introduction to squadron training and secrecy
• [02:22] – Arrival of modified bombers, stage set for the real mission
• [03:09] – Gibson’s stress and medical subplot
• [04:31] – Test bombing run close call
• [05:38] – Recon briefing and initial route planning
• [08:35] – Arrival of bombs, bomb-handling mishap
• [10:13] – Gibson and Martin discuss final routes, crew nerves
• [12:03] – Personal costs: David and Anne’s argument
• [14:59] – Crews’ impatience and speculation
• [15:41] – The call to briefing: "This is it, boys."
• [16:18] – Target revealed: the Ruhr dams
• [17:59] – Barnes Wallis explains the bomb’s significance
• [19:26] – Technical briefing: how to use the bombs, crew questions
• [22:22] – Final orders, code word assigned: "Nigger"
• [24:13] – Death of Gibson’s dog and personal moment
• [25:37] – Last camaraderie and preparations
• [26:53] – Sleeping pills distributed: eve before the raid

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Tone & Style

The episode is character-driven, emotionally taut, and peppered with dry humor characteristic of WWII RAF culture. While it leans into the drama and tension of "the night before," it also captures real camaraderie and banter, giving a lived-in feel to the historic events.

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Summary for Listeners

Episode 4 of Dambusters immerses listeners in the nerve-wracking climax before the legendary raid—detailing the hellish anticipation, secrecy, and sudden clarifying moments of the operation’s purpose. Historic anxiety, military process, technological marvel, and personal loss mix with vintage RAF wit and gravity. The crews finally understand what all the secrecy and stress have been building toward: striking the heart of German industry, knowing they may not survive. The episode ends with the weight of history upon their shoulders—and the personal toll of war made starkly, movingly clear.

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Transcript

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[Narrator / Announcer]

Liberty.

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Liberty. Liberty.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

To the men, living and dead who

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

did these things, we dedicate this program the Dam Busters. Presented by the author himself, Paul Brickhill.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

Dramatized by Morris West An Australasian Radio production.

[Morris West (Dramatizer/Narrator)]

Good evening, this is Paul Brickhill speaking. The training of 617 Squadron for the dam busting raid was tough and highly concentrated. And this caused many to wonder because the hand picked air crews were already highly trained and experienced operational fliers. Security was so tight that in all the squadron, only the commander, Guy Gibson, knew the purpose of it all. He knew too, that Wallace's freak bomb was just about ready for use. Naturally, he was anxious and impatient as he awaited the next stage in the evolution of his crack squadron. It came early in May as Gibson and Martin watched the strange looking aircraft fly into Scampton Aerodrome.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Will you look at that crate, Guy? Will you just look at it?

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

Yeah, it's a Lank all right, Mickey. But they stripped off one of the turrets. Some of the armor's gone, the bomb doors too. There's a hell of a lot of junk under the belly.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Yeah, looks as though she'll walk better than she'll fly. Um, just a minute. That wouldn't be the sort of thing we'll be using, would it?

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

Yes, I'm afraid it would, Mickey. This is the first delivery.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Oh, no.

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

Yep. You'll be taking it out for a test run and spot a bombing practice at Reculver tomorrow.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Nice of you to tell me, Guy. Listen, do you always have to play this thing so close to your chest?

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

Look, I'm sorry. I'm not trying to be secretive. I'm got my orders and I'm just trying to carry them out.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Oh, look, Guy, you're tired, you're edgy. If you don't watch it, you won't be in any shape to direct an operation. And besides, about that swelling on your face. Looks like a boil or a carbuncle.

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

I know what it is.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

You should see the doc about it. Things like that can turn nasty, particularly when you're a little below par.

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

Yes, I know.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

I'm worried about a basalt. I can't get my oxygen mask off.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Well, for Pete's sake, go and see the M.O.

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

all right, Mickey, I will. Let's go. Look at this flying junkie. So as I took Mickey's advice and I tootled off to the M.O. he took one look at this thing and said, Mr. Gibson, that's a carbuncle. Do tell. Well, I knew that. And then he cocked an eyebrow at me and said, Mr. Gibson, this sort of thing shows you're overworked.

[Doc (Medical Officer)]

You'll have to take a fortnight's holiday somehow.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

How about a couple of weeks leave

[Doc (Medical Officer)]

for the whole squadron, eh? Buy me a beer and I'll take

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

it up with Air Ministry.

[Doc (Medical Officer)]

Yeah.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Hi.

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

Hey, what the hell happened, Mickey?

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Well, I was out in the bombing run at Recovery.

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

Yes, I know that.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

I came in a bit low on the run, and when the bombs hit, the water spouted up and kicked back in my elevator. Well, we were trying to fly at 60ft, like you told us, and she dipped heavily, and I had just enough control to get her nose off the water.

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

Oh, yes, I'm sorry, Mika. That's pretty dicey. We'll have to watch that. Listen, bring it up at the next training meeting, will you? It could be very important.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

By the way, how do the kites handle?

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Oh, pretty good. A bit heavy on the controls and the performance is down, but, well, I reckon they'll do.

[Doc (Medical Officer)]

Come on.

[David Chenin]

To Gibson, sir.

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

Oh, yes, Bennett, what is it?

[David Chenin]

Message from the signal officer just coming.

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

Oh, thanks.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

Uh.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Oh, what's up, Guy?

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

The AOC Wants to see me first thing in the morning. Looks like things might begin to warm up.

[Senior Officer / Briefing Officer]

Take a look at these, Gibson. They're photographs of the dam.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

The mana.

[Senior Officer / Briefing Officer]

Yes, that's right, the dam. Photographic reconnaissance Mosquitoes. Been bringing them in for three days now. Ann. Gibson, the things we're most interested in are these shadows here. See along the top of the dam here?

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

Oh, yes.

[Senior Officer / Briefing Officer]

1, 2, 3, 4, 5. See?

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

I see. What do the experts say about these?

[Picard (Flak Position Expert)]

A stunt?

[Senior Officer / Briefing Officer]

Oh, they've enlarged them, blown the photos up as light as they can. They've measured the shadows and they're still, well, just shadows. The only conclusion seems to be the new gun positions.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

Yes, I was afraid that's what it might have been. That means we'll get a hotter reception than we want.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Quite.

[Senior Officer / Briefing Officer]

But it means more than that, Gibson. It means there's a security leak somewhere.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

Well, we'll get the security Boys, Checking and double checking. That's the best I can do, sir. You know how these things are. There's nothing you can actually, you know, put your finger on.

[Senior Officer / Briefing Officer]

Yes, I know only too well how things are. And by the way, tomorrow your bombs will arrive. Now, see that you have a cordon of guards ready for the unloading. And keep them there until the bombs are loaded onto the aircraft.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

It's getting closer.

[Senior Officer / Briefing Officer]

It's closer than you think, Gibson. Well, now, let's stroll down and talk to Sadly. By the way, did you bring Picard with you?

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

Oh, yes, sir.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

He's waiting outside.

[Senior Officer / Briefing Officer]

Oh, fine. Bring him in then. He's a very good man on flak positions. We'll need him to plot the course.

[Picard (Flak Position Expert)]

These red blotches represent known flack. We've got to plot a course that'll give us as little flak as possible. And also keep us as far away as possible from the night fighter airfields. You see? Now, let's work on two separate routes. The first one cuts across Holland between Valkern and Scowen.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

Oh, I see.

[Morris West (Dramatizer/Narrator)]

There. You see?

[Picard (Flak Position Expert)]

And that takes you between the night fighter airfield here and here. And brings you out near Ham, where you cut south to the mourner.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

Damn it. Yes, it's about the best we can do, I suppose.

[Picard (Flak Position Expert)]

Let's take a look at the second zone. Here we cut north over Wieland and across the Zeider Zee. There's no flak there. Then you hit a point slightly nor west of Vesel and join Route 1 for the run down to the Mobile.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

Just here.

[Picard (Flak Position Expert)]

Just there.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

I see.

[Picard (Flak Position Expert)]

Now, on the homeward run.

[Doc (Medical Officer)]

Careful with that thing, boys. Might go off in your faces. How's the letting going, Doc? Oh, fair enough, Mickey. It's a bit messy, though. None of the release fittings are standard. The bomb's an outsized job.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Just exactly how do these bombs work, Doc?

[Doc (Medical Officer)]

I know as much as you do, Mickey. Sweet Fanny Adams.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Well, what do they pay the armorers for?

[Doc (Medical Officer)]

Answering silly questions from air crew. Pull your head in, Doc.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

I'm going up inside to take a river

[Narrator / Announcer]

pleases.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

What's that?

[Doc (Medical Officer)]

The running bomb's fallen off. Get out of here. Might have fused itself to go off in less than a minute. Hop on the trolley, Martin. Get the hell out of here.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Phew.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

Well, nothing's happened so far. The release W must have been faulty. She was going off. She'd have blown long ago.

[Doc (Medical Officer)]

All right, you can come out now.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

The flaps over.

[Doc (Medical Officer)]

Now.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

What do they pay the armorers for, Doc?

[Doc (Medical Officer)]

Ah, sadly, the necks are no goods like you. I never saw a hero scoot so fast in all my life.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Can I come in?

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

Yes, come in.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

You wanted to see me, Guy?

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

Yes. Sit down. No cigarette in here. Thanks.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Well, what did you want to see me about?

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

Well, it's getting close. I've got the roots plotted now. Want you to have a look at them. The roots? Number one, number two.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Yeah, but what about the targets?

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

Sorry, Mickey, not yet. Oh, but that's how we get in and that's how we get out, see?

[Morris West (Dramatizer/Narrator)]

Yeah.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

Can I do the factory?

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Factory in trouble here, right.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

Yes, I know that one.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Uh, fighter base.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

Well, we might get factory there a

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

bit more trouble here. Well, a really lot of flak about, isn't there?

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

Well, there's nothing much more we could do about it. As you can see, there are very few alternatives and, well, all of them have some drawbacks. Like night fighters, you know, out of range or something like that, all that.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

When's it to be, Guy?

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

Any day now. Just a matter of tying everything together.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

The boys are getting jumpy.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

I don't blame them. I'm getting jumpy myself. Any trouble?

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Not really. Some of them are heating the hops a bit too high.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

Have a talk to them and get them to lay off. Anything else?

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Oh, well, Dave shown's had a row

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

with his girl man.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Yeah, he'd understand it.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

Of course.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

He's been shooting a pretty heavy line there. And just when he needs a shoulder to cry on, poor Daisy can't open his mouth,

[David Chenin]

Huh?

[Anne (David's Partner)]

Aren't you going to say something, David? 1 Don't you think you've sulked long enough?

[David Chenin]

I'm not sulking. I'm waiting for you to explain why you stood me up last night.

[Anne (David's Partner)]

I stood you up because you were bad tempered and bad mannered. And I don't have to take that, David.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

All right, darling.

[David Chenin]

I was bad tempered and bad mannered. I'm sorry. Look, darling, it's no fun for either of us fighting like this. Can't we just be ourselves? We were having a good time. We were getting a kick out of love.

[Anne (David's Partner)]

I know that. And then what happened? All of a sudden we were at each other's throats.

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

Well, it's not my fault.

[Anne (David's Partner)]

It's not mine either. David, is something worrying you?

[David Chenin]

No, no, no. The usual.

[Anne (David's Partner)]

What do you mean, the usual?

[David Chenin]

What do you think's the usual around these parts? Waiting for the balloon to go up. Waiting for the briefing call and the tannoy. Wondering how you'll make up when the first flak hits Wondering whether you'll get the chop this time or the next time or the one after. That's the usual.

[Anne (David's Partner)]

Well, David, I'm sorry. I should have known. You're waiting for something, aren't you? I can feel it. All of 617 is waiting for it.

[David Chenin]

Yes, that's right, darling.

[Anne (David's Partner)]

Something big.

[Morris West (Dramatizer/Narrator)]

Yes.

[Anne (David's Partner)]

Can you tell me about it?

[David Chenin]

I want to tell you, but I can't. But I can tell you this. And I wouldn't tell it to another living soul. I'm scared, Anne. I'm scared as I've never been scared before.

[Anne (David's Partner)]

Everybody else is scared, too.

[David Chenin]

Doesn't help much, sweetheart. Like saying everybody else has got to die. When you're waiting for the chopper to come down on your own neck.

[Anne (David's Partner)]

Don't, David. Please.

[David Chenin]

I'm sorry, Anne, darling. Really, I'm sorry.

[Anne (David's Partner)]

Look, David, there's somebody coming home. He's been out tonight and he's nearly home. You'll come home like that.

[Morris West (Dramatizer/Narrator)]

Do you, em?

[Anne (David's Partner)]

Yes, David. To me,

[Morris West (Dramatizer/Narrator)]

It was understandable that David Chenin should become nervy. Despite his operational experience, he was still very young to face up to the strain of waiting for something big and dangerous to happen and having no inkling of what it was. In this, he was only like the rest of his squadron. The strain was telling on all of them, although they reacted in different ways.

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

Why don't they tell us something? Sick of sitting around on me backside waiting for something to happen.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Take it easy, son. Take it easy. We're the lost squadron, didn't you know? Nobody tells us anything until it's all over.

[Picard (Flak Position Expert)]

That's all right for you, Mickey. You've been in this thing up to the neck. The rest of us have been stooging around in the dark like bats.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Then you better rub the sleep out of your eyes. You're gonna need them wide open.

[Doc (Medical Officer)]

Well, the boss has been scooting back and forth to headquarters for the last couple of days. You can hardly get a civil word out of him. There's a flap on, all right. And we must be getting pretty close

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

to zero odds on we're gonna have a crack at the Tirpitz. Oh, no.

[Picard (Flak Position Expert)]

In that case, I'd better make a new will. My girl turned me down flat the other day.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

What's the matter with you boys? Getting cold feet or something?

[Senior Officer / Briefing Officer]

Attention all air crew. All pilots, navigators and bomb aimers of 617, report to briefing room immediately. All pilots, navigators and bomb aimers of 617, report to briefing room immediately.

[Narrator / Announcer]

This is it, boys.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

This Is it?

[Doc (Medical Officer)]

Come on, get cracking. Yeah, right.

[Senior Officer / Briefing Officer]

Well, go ahead, Jason, tell them.

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

All right, chaps, this is the news you've been waiting for. You're going to have a chance to hit the Germans harder than a small force has ever done before. Very soon, we're going to attack the major dams of western Germany.

[Doc (Medical Officer)]

At least you listen to Flippin Turpich.

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

Right. Now, here are your targets. There's the Murna Dam. There's the Edda, and there's the Sauper. As you see, they're all just east of the Ruhr. We'll go in in two waves with a third wave in reserve. The first wave will attack the murder. The second wave will attack the saper. Now, those of the first wave who have not bombed will then attack the aider. That's about all for the moment. You'll get detailed instructions later. Now, I want to introduce to you Mr. Barnes Wallace. Who first thought up the idea and who designed the bombs which you're going to carry. Mr. Wallace. Gentlemen.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Gentlemen. I should like to tell you first the. The object of these raids, the three dams which Wing Commander Gibson has pointed out to you.

[Doc (Medical Officer)]

And we can't hear you at the back.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Oh, yes, yes, I. I'm so sorry. The three dams which Wing Commander Gibson has pointed out to you supply most of the power for the heavy industries in the Ruhr. If these dams can be burst, German heavy industry will be crippled beyond repair. The surrounding countryside will be flooded so that food production will be drastically reduced. There'll be no electric light. Military roads and bridges will be washed away. If you succeed in your task, I believe the war will be shortened by at least a year, probably more.

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[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Now.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Now, you've all been trained in the manner of aiming and dropping the bombs, and I. I should like to tell you something more about them. They're queer looking things, I know, but they were designed to do this job and no other. Now, if you look at the blackboard, you'll see how when the bomb enters the water, it plunges downward to meet the base of the retaining wall of the dam. It explodes on impact and a shock wave is built up in the water sufficiently strong to crack the wall of the dam and burst it open. That's why your aiming must be dead accurate. If your bomb falls too far back, the shock wave will not be sufficiently strong to break the wall. If you aim too far forward, the bomb will hit the top of the wall and will quite literally blow up in your face. You'll be flying at 60ft, remember. Well, that's all I have to tell you, gentlemen.

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

Any questions, chaps?

[Doc (Medical Officer)]

Oh, yes.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Our route takes us pretty close to a synthetic rubber factory at Hools. It's a hotspot. I nearly bought it there three months ago.

[Doc (Medical Officer)]

You're always nearly buying it there.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Well, if we. If we go in lower, I think it might upset things.

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

Yes, yes, I see what you mean. Well now, if you think it's a bit too close to hulls, we'll bring the course down a bit, say to about here. You'd all better be very, very careful here. The gap isn't too wide. New navigators will have to watch it.

[Doc (Medical Officer)]

What sort of defenses are there on the dams themselves?

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

We're a bit worried about them. We've had a lot of photos taken, but they haven't told us much. So far as we know, the defenses are confined to light flak. Any balloons, sir? Well, up to yesterday, the nearest ones are around a small factory 12 miles away. We don't expect any.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Are there any nets on the lake?

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

Yes, standard torpedo booms. Oh.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Will they be effective against the bombs?

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

Not a bit.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Not a bit.

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

Something.

[Doc (Medical Officer)]

Now, over here.

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

Want you to come around. Gather around here. Models of the three dams. I want you to look at these until your eyes stick out and you've got every detail photographed in your mind. Then go away and draw them from memory. Then come back and check your drawings, correct them, then go away and do them again until they're absolutely perfect. All right, chaps, you've got enough here to keep you busy till 1500 hours. I'll see you all then.

[Senior Officer / Briefing Officer]

Well, Gibson?

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

The boys are working over their first briefing, sir. When do we go?

[Senior Officer / Briefing Officer]

If the weather's right, you go tomorrow night.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

I see.

[Senior Officer / Briefing Officer]

Not a word of this to anybody else. We can't afford a security risk at this stage.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

No, sir.

[Senior Officer / Briefing Officer]

I want to fix on a code word which will signal the success of the attack.

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

Why not call it Nigger?

[Senior Officer / Briefing Officer]

Nigger? Well, it's as good as any. What's the reason why?

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

It's my dog's name, sir. Kind of mascot. I can't take him on the raid, but I'd like to think he was with us in spirit.

[Senior Officer / Briefing Officer]

All right, Gibson. Nigger it is. No need to tell you. We'll all be on tenterhooks waiting for it in the ops room.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

Yes. You want anything else, sir?

[Senior Officer / Briefing Officer]

No, just radio the one word.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Nigger.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

How you going?

[Doc (Medical Officer)]

So what do you reckon is the best way in over the dam, skipper?

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

Well, the first thing is to get the final line of attack

[Narrator / Announcer]

just here.

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

Yeah, that's the spot. Make a wide low circuit coming over the spit. Then we're right. Anything else? No, no, that's all right. Now buzz off and eat. But lay off the grog and keep your mouth shut. Not a whisper to your own crews.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

When do we go, skipper?

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

Tomorrow night. Now, I say it again, chaps, keep your mouths shut. If there's one slip and the Germans get to hear of it, you won't be coming back tomorrow night. That's all,

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Skipper.

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

Oh, yes, Mickey was in.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

I hate to tell you the skipper, but Nigger's just been run over by a car outside the camp. He was killed instantly.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

I see.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Care for a beer?

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

No, no, thanks. I'd better go and see about having him buried.

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

Hey there, Mickey.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Hi, Toby. Come on, Mickey, give.

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

There's a flap on, isn't there?

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Ah, just a small one.

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

Well, what is it they never tell us? Gunners and wireless ops, nothing more.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Training, that's all. You'll hear about it tomorrow.

[Doc (Medical Officer)]

Training. Oh, I don't believe it.

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

It can't be.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

That's true.

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

Will you swear it?

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

I swear it.

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

Oh, I need a drink. What are you having?

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

A shandy for me.

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

Shandy and wear. Any training tomorrow, Martin? You're the biggest ruddy liar on this station. Come in.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

I thought you might like a drink, Guy. I brought one up.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

Oh, thanks, Mickey. Yeah, thanks.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Happy landings.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

Happy landings.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Sorry about nigger Guy.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

It's one of those things. He wouldn't have felt anything. Must have died immediately. You know, whoever ran him down didn't even bother to stop.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Don't take it too hard. You know the boys are depending on you. Tomorrow, sort of.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

I'll be all right when the flaps on. Makes you think, though, doesn't it? Even the ruddy dog gets the chop when he doesn't expect it.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Forget it, Guy. You've got a lucky number. When this is over, you can give the game away. We all can. Yeah.

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

I'm due for a spot of leave anyway.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Where are you going to take it?

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

Oh, Wales, I think.

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

Around the mountains.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

Should be some good fishing.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Never was much of a fisherman myself. Still, for them that likes it.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

Mm.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

There's a lot of chatter in the mess, but the boys are keeping their mouths shut.

[Senior Officer / Briefing Officer]

Oh, good.

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Oh, I'd like another drink.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

No, no, no, thanks.

[Paul Brickhill (Author/Narrator)]

You run along, Mickey.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

I'll turn in shortly.

[Morris West (Dramatizer/Narrator)]

Here, take these.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

What's this?

[Mickey Martin (Pilot)]

Doctor's orders. Sleeping pills for all air crews. We won't get much sleep tomorrow night.

[Wing Commander Guy Gibson]

No. No, I suppose not. Well, good night.

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