One of the more interesting exploits of WWII was the development and use of the special 'dam busting' bombs of Barnes Wallace and the raid that resulted in the successful breaching of three of Germany's Ruhr dams. Not only was the bomb special, but so were the aircraft. A squadron of specially modified Lancasters was created just for the purpose of using this weapon. As a result, only the best of RAF bomber command's pilots and crews were selected for what was to be a very special event.

The squadron was based alongside a standard bomber squadron where the squadron's crews were often treated as pariahs of a sort as they were not constantly going out and bombing targets over Germany. The secrecy surrounding 617 squadron meant that these men just had to take it, though there were reports of some altercations in the mess due to this situation. This all, of course, changed after the successful completion of the mission and these men became famous.

Though several other similar missions were planned using this bomb and these planes, nothing really came of it and the unit was tasked instead, to carry out precision and rather low level missions against valued targets such as factories in France and V-1 weapons sites. They pioneered the use of Mosquitos and Mustangs as pathfinder aircraft and were also the squadron that was tasked with missions using the the Tallboy and Grand Slam super heavy bombs. This included the eventual sinking of the battleship Tirpitz in 1944.

Author Alex Bateman does a super job of telling the story of 617 squadron. His research into the missions and the personalities behind those missions helps to make this book a most interesting read. This is further enhanced by an excellent selection of photographs and eight full pages of color profiles of the aircraft flown by 617 squadron during the war. Of course, the unit still exists and is currently flying Tornado GR.4 aircraft.

This is an outstanding book on the subject and is one that I can easily recommend to you.

November 2009

For more on the complete line of Osprey books, visit www.ospreypublishing.com. In the US, it is Osprey Direct at 44-02 23rd St, Suite 219, Long Island City, NY 11101., where you can get a catalogue of available books.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly, please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.