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How badly did the Dam Busters damage

• Message 1.Β 

  Posted by Erik Lindsay (U231970) on Tuesday, 9th May 2006

  Germany's war production by breaching those three dams? I understand the
  RAF suffered some pretty serious losses in the raid and I'm curious. Was the effort really worth the time, money, and lives, invested in it?

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Richie (U1238064) on Tuesday, 9th May 2006

  i stand to be corrected on this but the overall damage on the German War Ecomony was minimal, but the pyscologocal effect far reaching. This was also the case with the Tall Boy bombs used in Italy as well.
  
  The RAF's losses were horendous in that era anyway. I just wish I could remember the tour limit. I knew it at one point but my mothers friend's father was an airman in the dambusters sqn and was killed just before the the raid and just one raid away from compulsory "shore-leave".
  
  but my memory today is very very rusty

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Grumpyfred (U2228930) on Tuesday, 9th May 2006

  The damage wasn't as bad as it could have been if the third dam was blown, but dam number 3 was a diferent type,and the bouncing bombs would have never had done the trick, BUT, the knock on effect was terrific. Russia was calling for a second front, and doubting Britains commitment. The raid proved them wrong. Germany had to divert men and guns that would have been better used fighting the Russians to defend their dams. so short term ne, long term yes. Then the was the propegander of those shots of miles of Germany flooded being shown all round the world. These were taken by a photo Rec. unit straight afterwards

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by Grumpyfred (U2228930) on Tuesday, 9th May 2006

  tour limit 25. increased to 30 towards the end of the war.
  Fred

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• Message 5

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by MB (U177470) on Tuesday, 9th May 2006

  [QUOTE]
  Message 2 - posted by Richie**, 5 Minutes Ago
  i stand to be corrected on this but the overall damage on the German War Ecomony was minimal, but the pyscologocal effect far reaching. This was also the case with the Tall Boy bombs used in Italy as well.
  
  The RAF's losses were horendous in that era anyway. I just wish I could remember the tour limit. I knew it at one point but my mothers friend's father was an airman in the dambusters sqn and was killed just before the the raid and just one raid away from compulsory "shore-leave".
  
  but my memory today is very very rusty
  [QUOTE]
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Also a lot of the German war effort was subsequently diverted to defending dams which were never attacked again.
  
  
  (Why can't we easily quote previously messages now?)
  
  MB

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• Message 6

  , in reply to message 5.

  Posted by Richie (U1238064) on Tuesday, 9th May 2006

  Hi JMB
  
  Thanks for tour details
  
  The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ have taken away the quote facility "to make moderation easier"
  
  whatever that means, lol
  
  

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• Message 7

  , in reply to message 6.

  Posted by DaveMBA (U1360771) on Tuesday, 9th May 2006

  It means they can wipe a message without having to check the entire thread for it being quoted again.
  
  The Germans also had to divert civilian efforts to rebuilding the dams and producing the equipment lost in the attack. However, its overriding success was the psychological side and that can win and lose wars.

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• Message 8

  , in reply to message 7.

  Posted by LongWeekend (U3023428) on Tuesday, 9th May 2006

  The Dams concept made sense in terms of disrupting the Ruhr when there was no other mens of atacking Germany. By the time the raid took place - May 43, it was obvious that there would be a US/UK invasion, so less important. It does not distract from the technicl achievement.
  
  From the airpower perspective, the importance was in the acceptance of a precision attack capability, later exended from 617 to 9 and 83 Sqns, which capability he RAf had always wanted, in any case.
  
  Yes, the loss was horrendous. But, being coldblooded, it was to one squadron among hundreds. The morale boost - a vital element of a total war - was intense, according to contemporary sources.
  
  Compare the Lancasters of 617 running in on the three dams with 1 Bn The Hampshire Regiment in the early hours of 6th June 1944, or His Majesty's Ships Exeter and Ajax and His Majesty's New Zealand Ship Achillies
  closing the panzerschiff Graf Spee. The important thing, I suggest, is that democracy prevailed.

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