617 Squadron was formed at RAF Scampton on 21st March 1943, under the command of of Wg Cgd Guy Gibson specifically to undertake an operation to breach the Ruhr Dams using Barnes Wallis’ Upkeep weapon – the bouncing bomb.
After intensive training the Mohne and Eder dams were breached on the night of 16/17 May 1943, in a spectacular low-level operation resulting in the loss of 8 of the 19 participating aircraft.
Following this success the Squadron was retained as a specialist bombing unit. After a costly low-level attack on the Dortmund Ems Canal in September 1943 Canal command of the Squadron passed to Wg Cdr Leonard Cheshire. Under his leadership, the Squadron mounted highly destructive precision raids on targets in occupied territory, using 12,000lb blast bombs. Using Mosquito aircraft to mark targets, new and even more accurate bombing techniques were pioneered.
On D-Day, the Squadron performed a vital role in deceiving German forces as to the true destination of the invasion fleet. Precision attacks continued with Barnes Wallis’ 12,000lb “Tallboy” deep penetration bomb, targeting a railway tunnel, U-boat pens and large V-weapon sites. After completing his 100th operation Wg Cdr Cheshire relinquished his command to Wg Cdr “Willie” Tait. The autumn of 1944 saw attention turn to the German battleship Tirpitz, which was finally sunk after three operations, one being mounted from Russia. Dams again featured on the target list, and in October the Kembs Barrage was breached by Tallboys dropped from low level.
617 squadron would go on to operate the Avro Lincoln, Canberra, Vulcan and Tornado. Since 2017, the squadron fly the F-35B from RAF Marham in Norfolk.
Today, the association aims to educate and inspire by giving educational presentations to schools, youth organisations and the public; supporting and donating to educational aeronautical projects, and sponsoring the Guy Gibson VC flying scholarship for disadvantaged young people.
Runway25 are delighted to partner with 617 Squadron Association.
To find out more about the 617 Squadron Association, please visit
Photo: © Crown copyright.