Bomber Command
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Aircrew Chronicles
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Aircrew Losses
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Nose Art
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BCATP
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Lancaster
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Media
Bomber Command
|
Aircrew Chronicles
|
Aircrew Losses
|
Nose Art
|
BCATP
|
Lancaster
|
Media
Dambusters Raid
Bomber Command
Dams Raid Story Previous | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Next
Operationally the raid was a resounding success and constitutes one of the great epics in the history of the Royal Air Force and aerial warfare. Two of the three dams had been breached and it is now felt that the Sorpe, although damaged, was invulnerable to the type of weapon being used. Flooding was extensive for forty miles below the Mohne. 25 bridges were swept away below the Eder.
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The flooding required a huge effort to rebuild the dams, rebuild bridges, railways, and roads, dredge new channels for river traffic, and replace and repair factories. 70,000 people were diverted from their regular wartime duties just to repair roads, railways, and bridges. Water and power supplies were significantly disrupted as well.
