Paul Tierney wrote:
>
> >I have read "Enemy Coast Ahead", but many years ago (1981). I seem to
> >remember
> >that Guy Gibson was involved in the "Phony War" during which he flew Hampdens
> >dropping leaflets. However, I suspect that by the time he was decorated
> >he was
> >flying Lancasters or Wellingtons - a brave man.
>
> Off topic, but for those who don't know, Guy Gibson was not a brave man
> just for dropping leaflets. He was Wing Commander of the Dambusters, 617
> Squadron flying from RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire.
>
> Amongst many other uniquely dangerous aspects of this mission, the
> Lancaster bombers had to use spotlights as a rangefinder to determine the
> exact height at which to drop the 'bouncing bomb'. This made them a perfect
> target for the dams' defensive gunfire.
>
> Gibson did not survive the War but his second in command - Leonard Cheshire
> - flew on one of the A-Bomb flights to Japan and went on to found the
> Cheshire Homes charity in UK
......who also won the Victoria Cross.
jh
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