"DAMS RAID" - John "Hoppy" Hopgood, heroic "Dambuster"

Eighty years ago this May, Operation Chastise, more commonly known as the "Dams Raid," took its place in military history. Flying at ultra-low-level, at night, a few RAF Lancaster crews successfully breached two major dams, the Möhne and the Eder, in the heart of Germany. The incredible story of the raid, executed by a newly formed RAF squadron flying specially modified Avro Lancaster bombers, is well-known to those with an interest in military aviation, and the extraordinary feat of arms carried out by the "Dambusters" has become legendary. To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the raid, this is the story of just one of those who did not return, with the details related in the words of one of his crew members who miraculously survived.

- CLIVE ROWLEY, MBE RAF (RET.)

The "Dams Raid"

On May 16-17, 1943, the Lancaster crews of 617 Squadron demonstrated unflinching courage in the execution of an ambitious and highly dangerous feat of arms, utilizing a new and operationally untested weapon and establishing a legend that still resonates today. The Dams Raid had an impact totally out of proportion to the small number of aircraft involved and heralded a new era of precision bombing.

Operation Chastise was a success in so far as the Möhne and Eder dams were both breached, although overshadowing that success and the publicity and legendary status awarded to it ever since is the tragedy that 56 of the 133 airmen who set out on the mission did not return. However, the amazing technical ingenuity at the heart of the raid, and the skill and courage of the airmen of 617 Squadron, were not in vain. The cost to the Germans of repairing the damage wrought by the raid was enormous-psychologically, materially, logistically and financially-and it was one that they simply could not afford. One of those killed in action that night was Flight Lieutenant John "Hoppy" Hopgood, DFC and Bar.

Pilot John Hopgood

John Vere Hopgood joined the RAF in August 1940 when he was 18. He qualified as a pilot in February 1941 and was then commissioned. After completing further training, and still only 19 years old, he joined 50 Squadron, flying Handley Page Hampdens on his first tour of operations as a bomber pilot. He was then posted to a training unit as an instructor.

In February 1942 he returned to operational flying with 106 Squadron, which was based at RAF Coningsby, in Lincolnshire, England, flying the unreliable and underpowered twin-engine Avro Manchester. Hopgood flew 11 "ops" on Manchesters before the squadron began to receive new Avro Lancasters, and he became one of the first pilots to convert to the new four-engine aircraft.