The Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) is scheduled to fly its Lancaster bomber down the Derwent Valley and over the Eyebrook Reservoir on 16 May 2018 to mark the 75th anniversary of 617 Squadron’s raid on German dams (Operation Chastise).
Operation Chastise was an attack on the major dams of western Germany, carried out during the night of 16-17 May 1943 by Royal Air Force No. 617 Squadron, later called the Dambusters, using a purpose-built "bouncing bomb" developed by Sir Barnes Wallis. The dams of the Derwent Valley and Eyebrook Reservoir were amongst practice sites used in preparation for the raid.
Subject to confirmation, it is proposed that the Lancaster will fly over RAF Scampton (original home of the Dambusters’ Squadron), the Derwent Valley, the Rolls-Royce Factory at Derby (the Lancaster is powered by 4 Rolls-Royce Merlin engines) and Eyebrook Reservoir.
Further details on advice and places to visit can be found on the Peak District National Park website.
