Guy Gibson
First CO of the Royal Air Force's 617 Squadron (1918-1944) · United Kingdom · On the map · Writers · Died at 26
Wing Commander Guy Penrose Gibson, was a distinguished bomber pilot in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. He was the first Commanding Officer of No. 617 Squadron, which he led in the "Dam Busters" raid in 1943, resulting in the breaching of two large dams in the Ruhr area of Germany.
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Photos 11
"Upkeep" bouncing bomb used for dam busting bomb mounted under Lancaster B III (Special). The chain was driven by a hydraulic motor and gave the bomb its backspin.
Gibson (on the ladder) and his crew board their plane for Operation Chastise
Air Vice Marshal Ralph Cochrane, Wing Commander Guy Gibson, King George VI and Group Captain John Whitworth discuss the Dambuster Raid during the King's visit to RAF Scampton on 27 May 1943.
Wing Commander Guy Gibson (Right) and S/Ldr David Maltby (left) at RAF Scampton, on 22 July 1943 after the raid.
Graves of Gibson and Warwick in Steenbergen, Netherlands
Dam Busters memorial park, Steenbergen, Netherlands
New Grave surround for Wg Cdr Gibson and Sqn Ldr WarwickAwards
About this person
He was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces, in the aftermath of the raid in May 1943 and became the most highly decorated British serviceman at that time. He completed over 170 war operations before being killed in action at the age of 26.
