Dambusters Raid (Cassell Military Paperbacks) [Paperback]

John Sweetman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2005 | Series: Cassell Military Paperbacks

Operation Chastise - the Dambusters Raid, as it became known - undertaken by 19 Lancasters of 617 Squadron on the night of 16 May 1943, was the most audacious bombing raid of the Second World War. For the loss of 11 aircraft, the Mohne and Eder dams in Germany's industrial heartland were breached, and a famous if controversial victory won. John Sweetman's book is the most comprehensive account of this legendary mission, from the development of Barnes Wallis' 'bouncing bomb' (in reality a revolving depth-charge) to every moment of the raid itself, under the charismatic command of Guy Gibson, VC. It recalls a time of commitment, perseverance and sheer dogged determination in the face of dangerous and improbable odds.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr John Sweetman is Hon. Research Fellow at Keele University and former Head of Defence & International Affairs at Sandhurst. He has written many other books, incl. TANNENBURG 1914, also published by Cassell.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Cassell (August 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0304351733
• ISBN-13: 978-0304351732
• Product Dimensions: 0.8 x 5 x 7.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,226,050 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Straight Skinny on the Dambusters Raid!, November 24, 2008

By 

Michael OConnor "Wordsmith" (Wausau, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dambusters Raid (Cassell Military Paperbacks) (Paperback)

The May 1943 attack on German dams by 617 Squadron is arguably the second most-famous bomber op in history.* Unfortunately early books and films on the raid (ENEMY COAST AHEAD, Paul Brickhill's DAM BUSTERS) were less than accurate, perpetuating several myths in the public's mind. To my knowledge, John Sweetman's THE DAMBUSTERS RAID is the first, accurate history to have appeared describing this epic undertaking.

Along with describing 617 Squadron's attacks on the Sorpe, Eder and other German dams, Sweetman provides much background information, material that exposes several of the myths connected with the raid. For instance, the dam attacks weren't the brainchild of Barnes Wallis, a gifted civilian engineer. Rather RAF brass had extensively discussed such attacks in the years immediately preceding war's outbreak. Likewise various weapons including ones similar to Wallis' 'Upkeep' revolving depth charge had already been proposed and investigated. In short, many agencies and individuals contributed to the effort. Likewise 617 Squadron crews who flew the mission weren't all highly experienced combat vets. Another point: the inspiration for the spotlights that aided the Lanc crews in maintaining their height over the water was not the result of Guy Gibson watching theater spotlights focus on a row of chorus girls! Then too the operation was not well-planned and executed. Navigational errors accounted for most of the eight aircraft lost. One Lanc even attacked the wrong dam and so on!

Sweetman's throughly-researched book provides a comprehensive account of the entire Dams story. Readers may be put off by Sweetman's detailing of the countless meetings and briefings that preceded the development of Upkeep, establishment of 617 Squadorn and the actual attacks but all that IS part of the Dambusters story.

Sweetman also examines and refutes the claims of revisionists that the raid and its effects were hyped and the actual results minimal. In point of fact, the Dambuster raid made a great impact on many levels.

Well-illustrated and well-written, THE DAMBUSTERS RAID is a warts-and-all account of an epic mission. Unless something better comes along, it will probably be THE definitive book on the subject. Highly recommended.

*******
*The atomic bombing of Hiroshima probably ranks as the #1 bomber raid of all time.