May 16th/17th 2023 marks the 80th anniversary of one of the most daring, ambitious and audacious missions of the second world war.

Operation Chastise (better known as The Dambusters raid) was the Brain child of Barnes Wallis where 19 Lancasters took off from RAF Scampton in 3 waves to attack specially selected dams in the Ruhr valley, the heartland of German industrial machine.

The Mission was hailed as a success with 2 of the 4 dams breached, causing a biblical flood and destroying farmland, factories and taking vital resources away from other areas for the repairs.

But it came at a high price, 8 of the 19 Lancasters didn't return and of the 133 men who took part, 53 were killed and 3 were taken prisoner.

One of those killed was Squadron Leader Henry Maudslay, pilot of AJ-Z, who was born in my home town of Royal Leamington Spa, he was just 21 years old!

So to honour him, and all the other Dambusters myself and some friends are taking on an epic cycle challenge which will take us from Henry's house in Royal Leamington Spa all the way to the Mohne Dam, the first dam to be breached. Over the next 4 days and 400 miles we will take in some important places related to the Dambusters including The Petwood Hotel, The Dambusters Inn, RAF Scampton, crash site of AJ-Z, Reichswald Forest war cemetry and of course the Mohne Dam.

I know times are tough, but please give anything you can spare for a fantastic cause, the RAF Benevolent Fund, who for more than 100 years has been supporting members of the RAF Family through thick and thin providing practical, emotional, and financial support whenever they need them.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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