radiomike7 Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 As advancing French and American forces prepared to cross the Rhine near Mulhouse in Eastern France, it was feared that the Germans would flood the Rhine valley by destroying the Kembs dam (barrage) which formed part of the hydro-electric system that also made the Rhine navigable. Led by Wing Cdr 'Willie' Tait, 617 squadron took part in a daring daylight raid fielding a total of 13 Tallboy armed Lancasters. 7 bombing from 8000ft to distract the AA fire and 6 from below 1000ft to stand the best chance of a hit. 2 Lancs were lost but Tait's bomb fell right next to the dam and 30 minutes later a violent explosion breached the dam, the resulting loss of water leaving boats high and dry as far back as Basle in Switzerland. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlienFTM Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 Am I being dense or was this a pre-emptive strike? "I thought the Germans were going to blow up the barrage so I blew it up first"? Presumably so that it could not be done later when it might have been damaging to our side. Or a meringue? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radiomike7 Posted October 7, 2008 Author Share Posted October 7, 2008 Am I being dense or was this a pre-emptive strike? "I thought the Germans were going to blow up the barrage so I blew it up first"? Presumably so that it could not be done later when it might have been damaging to our side. quote] Correct, I tried to keep it brief to encourage people to read it. I visited the dam with Grp Capt Tait in the early 80s where we were entertained by a director from Electricite de France. After inspecting the re-built structure, Tait apologised for the mess from his previous visit and promised not to do it again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snapper Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 I should think so, what would the shareholders think? Probably explains why the French are buying up all our power companies - revenge... :cool2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antarmike Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 (edited) Having Survived the operation "Chastise" attack with bouncing bomb "upkeep", the Sorpe Dam becomes a target again in Oct 15th 1944. This time it attacked with Tallboy "earthquake" bombs, and dispite direct hits, it defeats the RAF a second time, and holds firm. Unusually 617 squadron was not chosen for this op, but rather Bardney based 9 Squadron flies alone. 9 Squadron had become "partners in crime" with 617 and had flown several missions to the same targets as a second specialist Tallboy sqaudron. Edited October 7, 2008 by antarmike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antarmike Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 (edited) As I understand it the Kembs raid target was actually a set of lock gates in the barrage, and it was the lock gates that were blown apart...The water level above the dam was lowered by 3.5 metres Edited October 7, 2008 by antarmike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 The choice of a pre emptive strike would be valid. During the Great War the Belgiums used flooding to deny the area around Dixmude. Walrechen is another prime example of flooding used to nullify defences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radiomike7 Posted October 7, 2008 Author Share Posted October 7, 2008 As I understand it the Kembs raid target was actually a set of lock gates in the barrage, and it was the lock gates that were blown apart...The water level above the dam was lowered by 3.5 metres Yes Mike, that is how it appeared when we saw it. See: http://www.raf.mod.uk/bombercommand/images/ke0710.jpg for an aerial view of the barrage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antarmike Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1890735/posts Tait's obituary names the target as "lock gates" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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