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Dambusters Raid
Bomber Command

Dams Raid Story    Previous | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Next

THE GLORY, THE CELEBRATION, AND LATER LOSSES

A high proportion of those who participated in the raid were decorated, 33 medals being presented in all. W/C Gibson was awarded the Victoria Cross for his inspired leadership and for his gallantry in drawing the anti-aircraft fire as his pilots attacked the Mohne Dam. Five pilots were awarded the Distinguished Service Order and two others the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal. Fourteen DFC's (including four bars) and twelve DFM's (including one bar) were also awarded.

Following the Dams Raid Guy Gibson toured Canada and the United States and wrote the book, "Enemy Coast Ahead." But he always begged to return to operational flying. He was doing just that on September 19, 1944 when his Mosquito aircraft crashed killing Gibson and his navigator. Four of those that had been aboard his aircraft for the Dams Raid had been killed together on September 15, 1943.