Wg Cdr Guy Gibson VC .....

The following is a copy of the entry into the London Gazette on the 28th May 1943 which registered Wg Cdr Gibson's Victoria Cross, the highest medal for gallentry in the face of the enemy:

Starts:

Acting Wing Commander Guy Penrose GIBSON, DSO, DFC Reserve of Air Force Officers, No 617 Squadron.

This officer served as a night bomber pilot at the beginning of the war and quickly established a reputation as an outstanding operational pilot. In addition to taking the fullest possible share in all normal operations he made single handed attacks during his 'rest' nights on such highly defended objectives as the German battleship TIRPITZ then completing in Wilhelmshaven.

When his tour of operational duty was concluded, he asked for a further operational posting and went to a night-fighter unit instead of being posted for instructional duties. In the course of his second tour, he destroyed at least three enemy bombers and contributed much to the raising and development of new night-fighter formations.

After a short period in a training unit he again volunteered for operational duties and returned to night bombers. Both as an operationsl pilot and as a leader of his squadron, he achieved outsandingly successful results and his personal courage knew no bounds. BERLIN, COLOGNE, DANZIG, GYDNIA, GENOA, LE CREUSOT, MILAN, NUREMBURG and SUTTGART were among the targets he attacked by day and by night.

On conclusion of his third operational tour, Wing Commander GIBSON pressed strongly to be allowed to remain on operations and he was selected to command a squadron then forming for special tasks. Under his inspiring leadership, this squadron has now executed one of the most devastating attacks of the war - the breaching of the MOHNE and EDER dams.

The task was fraught with danger and difficulty. Wing Commander GIBSON personally made the initial attack on the MOHNE dam. Descending to within a few feet of the water and taking the full brunt of the anti-aircraft defences he delivered his attack with great accuracy. Afterwards he circled very low for thirty minutes drawing the enemy fire on himself in order to leave as free a run as possible for the following aircraft which were attacking the dam in turn.

Wing Commander GIBSON then led the remainder of his force to the EDER dam where, with complete disregard for his own safety he repeated his tactics, and once more drew on himslef the enemy fire so that the attack would be successfully developed.

Wing Commander GIBSON has completed 170 sorties involving more than 600 hours operational flying. Throughout his operational career, prolonged exceptionally at his own request, he has shown leadership, determination and valour of the highest order.

Ends

Gibson and his crew about to set off for the Dams on the evening of 16th May 1943:

.... and with his fellow aircrew in London to be decorated following the successful attacks on the dams:

 

Dambusters2013 is commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Dams Raid in May 1943 by riding to the Mohne Dam from RAF Scampton, home of 617 Sqdn in 1943. For full details visit www.dambusters2013.org.uk and register to ride with us and raise cash for Help for Heroes and Motorcycle Outreach! It promises to be one of the iconic motorcycle events of 2013!!!