RIP George 'Johnnie' Johnson

[stephec]

Squadron Leader Johnson MBE DFM, the last original member of 617 Squadron and the dambusters raid passed away yesterday aged 101.

I watched him signing paintings of the raid a few years ago and he still seemed quite lively for someone in their mid nineties.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/...y-johnson-dambuster-death-cause-b2241200.html

 

[biggs682]

They had a piece about him on Jeremy Vine's Radio 2 show.

Sounded like a character for sure rip

 

[wiggydiggy]

I read about the Dambusters Raid in a compilation book called 'Adventure Stories for Boys' many years ago, I thought it was made up. Several years later I found out it was real and I'm not sure if I'm happier or sadder about that

RIP.

 

[steveindenmark]

I have seen the film dozens of times. It a go to film on a cold winters afternoon. I used to park up outside of RAF Scampton where the Dambusters were based and watch the Red Arrows train as they were based there in the early 80s. The Avro Vulcans used to land there. That was a sight. I also visited the dams in Germany when I was stationed in Hannover.

RIP Squadron Leader Johnson. Your duty is over.

 

[PeteXXX]

Some of the practice for the raid was done at Ladybower Reservoir, as it was similar to the Ruhr Dam approach, in The Peak District. Also off Whitstable and Herne Bay.

RIP Squadron Leader Johnson MBE DFM

 

[stephec]

Some of the practice for the raid was done at Ladybower Reservoir, as it was similar to the Ruhr Dam approach, in The Peak District. Also off Whitstable and Herne Bay.

RIP Squadron Leader Johnson MBE DFM

About twenty years ago we walked round the dams, there's a memorial to 617, but considering the significance it was quite small as I remember it.

Parking was murder as well.

 

[PeteXXX]

About twenty years ago we walked round the dams, there's a memorial to 617, but considering the significance it was quite small as I remember it.

Parking was murder as well.

I cycled there, and around it. Unfortunately I was a day late for a flypast by a Lancaster bomber 😔

 

[Petrichorwheels]

About twenty years ago we walked round the dams, there's a memorial to 617, but considering the significance it was quite small as I remember it.

Parking was murder as well.

Can i ask what the memorial said? Put there by brits? I ask as I wondered about the reactions of german locals. Many drowned of course.
I stress that I'm not dissing the air crews. All heroes. And was total war against evil.

 

[cougie uk]

I'm sure I read somewhere that stuff like this would now be a War Crime - but it wasn't then.
101 seems a bloody good innings.

 

[Tail End Charlie]

Hero - a much misused term nowadays, but it applies to him, and the others, without a doubt.
Only 11 of the 19 planes made it back. Before reading "Operation Chastise" (great name for it, very British - like saying Hitler was a really naughty boy!) I had assumed that the bomber crews were the creme de la creme, but for some it was their first mission.

 

[Petrichorwheels]

By the by, can recommend this book.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/826561.Bomber_Boys
If you read it and then see the lancaster in the RAF museum you will shiver I think about the terrible odds the volunteer crews faced.
Ditto the Americans as well.

 

[Profpointy]

Can i ask what the memorial said? Put there by brits? I ask as I wondered about the reactions of german locals. Many drowned of course.
I stress that I'm not dissing the air crews. All heroes. And was total war against evil.

I think the post was referring to a plaque at Ladybower where they did their practice rather than in Germany

 

[PeteXXX]

This is the Derwent memorial. I can't find a photo of the Ladybower one, though.

 

[Cycleops]

A lot of controversy still surrounds these raids. You have to remember it was all out war and we were fighting for our survival against an evil regime bent on world domination.
What's not in doubt is the bravery of these men. May 'Johnnie' rest in the knowledge he did all he could against Nazi Germany.

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