Lancasters launched bouncing bombs at the German dams
A service and fly-past will be held later to mark the 65th anniversary of the World War II Dambusters mission.
A Lancaster bomber will fly three times over Derwent Reservoir in Derbyshire, which was used by the original pilots to train ahead of their famous raid.
In 1943, the RAF's 617 Squadron set out to destroy three dams in Germany's Ruhr valley. They managed to breach two, giving a boost to Britain's war effort.
The service will remember the eight aircraft and 53 crew who were lost.
It will be held on top of the Derwent dam on Friday morning.
A Spitfire, a Hurricane, two Tornadoes and a Dakota transport plane will join the fly-past.
They are travelling from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire to take part.
Squadron Leader Les Munro, the last surviving pilot from the mission which was codenamed Operation Chastise, will be a guest of honour.
Also present will be Michael Gibson, whose uncle, Wing Commander Guy Gibson, led the Dambusters.
The nephew of Wing Commander Guy Gibson (centre) will attend the service
During the service, 88-year-old Richard Todd, who played Mr Gibson in the 1954 film The Dambusters, will lay poppies on the water of the reservoir.
On 16 May 1943, 19 aircraft set out to destroy the Mohne, Eder and Sorpe dams in Germany's industrial heartland.
They used specially-designed drum-shaped bouncing bombs which skimmed across the water, rolled down the dam wall and exploded at depth.
They were the brainchild of legendary aviation engineer Barnes Wallis who was knighted in 1971.
Am I the only person who feels that the Dam Raids and all the paintings / books on sale and general tabloid exposure is becoming a little too much.
Dont get me wrong; I am the first to acknowledge the bravery & sacrifice of the men of this squadron, however it is fast becoming an industry now, EVERYONE is jumping on the 617 connection, how many books can there be published on this one raid.
I cannot help but feel that if the same effort in relation to books published / painting etc was directed to other Bomber Command squadrons that operated night after night the general public may be in a better position to appreciate the whole Bomber Command picture.
Not after an argument, just giving an opinion.
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No.218 (Gold Coast) Squadron Association Historian
I couldn't agree with you more, yes, it was extraordinary raid by all accounts, however, having read many factual books about many different squadrons and crews, its' probably fair to say that each and everyone of them would have extraordinary stories to tell and deserve equal recognition. John
