Talk
Operation Chastise
May 16, 2023
The race to smash the Ruhr dams
On the night of 16/17 May 1943 the RAF’s recently formed 617 Squadron carried out what was probably the most famous air raid of all time. A combination of the genius of Barnes Wallis and the astonishing courage and skill of the crews saw two major German dams breached and a third damaged, leading to loss and disruption to the Nazi war economy. Normally kept top secret, the aerial reconnaissance photos of the ruptured dams and consequent flooding were transmitted around the world, giving the Allies a major propaganda coup.
How was the technology for the raid developed? Was the raid worth the lives of the 53 aircrew who perished on the night? How accurate was the epic 1955 Dambusters movie?
Join the Brooklands Talks Team on the 80th anniversary of the raid for a fascinating presentation about one of the greatest feats of arms of World War 2.
This event will be in person in the Clubhouse and broadcast on BM.tv Livestream
The Members' Bar will be open from 6pm and hot food will be available.
Plan your visit
Date
Tuesday May 16th, 2023, 7.30pm - 9:00pm (Please note that to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the raid this talk takes place on Tuesday 16 May rather than our normal Thursday)
Tickets
Members £4.00
Volunteers £6.00
Non Members £8.00
Livestream Free
Getting Here
Brooklands Museum, Brooklands Road, Weybridge, KT13 0QN
Brooklands Road Entrance using the above postcode. Do not follow brown signs to the museum. Parking is free.
Accessibility
Stepped access to the Napier-Room
Contact
To book your tickets click the book links in the ticket information block or email [email protected]
Livestream bookings will be sent the web link in advance of the talk.