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The last surviving Dambuster has died aged 101.
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Unlike Ged to be rather facetious on an RIP thread, but he's referring to 70s singer Johnny Johnson and the Bandwagon.
Rip to the last of the dambusters, Johnny Johnson, good innings.
Rip to the last of the dambusters, Johnny Johnson, good innings.
Sad news incredible what these brave men did so almost half the nation can strike on the lead up and over Christmas.
Think like most people of similar age who fought in the war he'd be more saddened by how the country he fought so valiantly to defend has been overrun and invaded by people coming over from other continents, successive politicians from all parties have really let these heroes down.
A wry observation - jimnast ...
- and along with - the brave ones who did not make it back.
- and along with - the brave ones who did not make it back.
RIP Johnny. These guys are the legends of this country.
went to "see" his last ever flight in Lancaster over Ladybower Res on 75th anniversary which was unfortunately cancelled due to bad weather .
However he made the journey a few days later.
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went to "see" his last ever flight in Lancaster over Ladybower Res on 75th anniversary which was unfortunately cancelled due to bad weather .
However he made the journey a few days later.
+
When i was working i met quite a few old chaps who flew in WW2, always quiet unassuming fellas, i can recall one chap who flew Lancaster and Hurricane bombers, he told me he and others flew these large bombers the night the RAF flattened Dresden, but he was one of the decoys who led the luftwafa down the coast of France so that the actual bombers could get a clear run through to Dresden, got back in one piece fortunately.
Utmost respect to these guys. I believe the tail gunners life expectancy was 5 sorties, unbelievable bravery.
What was the other big bomber, i've got mixed up?
Ive seen adverts where you can have a go flying the Vulcan Bomber simulator.
Id only really want to have a go if its actually bombing someplace in a realistic fashion rather than just flaying the plane.
Ive wondered if you could possibly pick a country from a selection who you can go and nuke.
Id only really want to have a go if its actually bombing someplace in a realistic fashion rather than just flaying the plane.
Ive wondered if you could possibly pick a country from a selection who you can go and nuke.
Think like most people of similar age who fought in the war he'd be more saddened by how the country he fought so valiantly to defend has been overrun and invaded by people coming over from other continents, successive politicians from all parties have really let these heroes down.
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I suspect he'd be a lot more saddened by the rise of fascism again in his lifetime and by the generation that gained most from his bravery - how short the baby boomer memory is. Like nearly everyone who remembers the war he didn't like to talk about it much - not like the said generation that bangs on about it as if they were there and somehow twist what most of the soldiers wanted with weird C21st right wing rhetoric - see detailed results of the post war election for how many of the service men voted!
3
I suspect he'd be a lot more saddened by the rise of fascism again in his lifetime and by the generation that gained most from his bravery - how short the baby boomer memory is. Like nearly everyone who remembers the war he didn't like to talk about it much - not like the said generation that bangs on about it as if they were there and somehow twist what most of the soldiers wanted with weird C21st right wing rhetoric - see detailed results of the post war election for how many of the service men voted!
I was in a pub in a small village in Germany called Insel,hardly a village even but within walking distance of Reinshalen where we were on exercise in 1978.The chap that owned it was educated at Oxford and spoke perfectly precise English.I knew the pub from previous years and recognised a few of the regulars.The difference was on this occasion was,I was wearing a blue beret,never having worn head dress in the pub previously.
One of the older chaps sitting on a long bench made a comment and the Landlord informed me he was asking my Squadron,I replied 657 and the chap got animated and indicated me to sit down.Between my German (limited then) and his limited English we established he had been a pilot during WW11.He was excited as we shared the same Christian name and then deflated when I explained 657 was AAC and not RAF.
Subsequent visits revealed his admiration for the RAF and in particular for the skills of 617 Sqn,it became obvious why he had got so excited when I mangled my Squadron in German,I say old but he was probably not even 60.He explained too much to type here but we both agreed we hoped there would be no more wars.
Why would there be respect for a hero that gave the world freedom from this generation given 2 decades of abuse by Forumites on here for having served?
RIP my old colleague you have left nothing behind you will miss!!!
One of the older chaps sitting on a long bench made a comment and the Landlord informed me he was asking my Squadron,I replied 657 and the chap got animated and indicated me to sit down.Between my German (limited then) and his limited English we established he had been a pilot during WW11.He was excited as we shared the same Christian name and then deflated when I explained 657 was AAC and not RAF.
Subsequent visits revealed his admiration for the RAF and in particular for the skills of 617 Sqn,it became obvious why he had got so excited when I mangled my Squadron in German,I say old but he was probably not even 60.He explained too much to type here but we both agreed we hoped there would be no more wars.
Why would there be respect for a hero that gave the world freedom from this generation given 2 decades of abuse by Forumites on here for having served?
RIP my old colleague you have left nothing behind you will miss!!!
RIP Johnny.
The Blenheim hasn't been mentioned I think, stewarts.
The Blenheim hasn't been mentioned I think, stewarts.
RIP Johnny (and all those that perished during the raid, or died since).
8 of the 19 aircraft that left England didn't return home, nor did 53 from 133 aircrew. Ironically, one of the aircraft call signs was J Johnny.
As already intimated, incredibly brave men who would turn in their graves knowing what a state the country they fought for is in today.
8 of the 19 aircraft that left England didn't return home, nor did 53 from 133 aircrew. Ironically, one of the aircraft call signs was J Johnny.
As already intimated, incredibly brave men who would turn in their graves knowing what a state the country they fought for is in today.
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