View Full Version : Last Living British Dambuster
CQ/CC1
Although I have not yet listened to it, I thought I'd draw your attention to this:
BBC World Service - HARDtalk, Last surviving British Dambuster - George 'Johnny' Johnson (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3csvpvr).
Regards
Batco
roving
3rd Jan 2018, 07:48
Thank you for posting this link. I have listened to it. A remarkable gentleman from a remarkable period in our history.
FAR CU
3rd Jan 2018, 09:09
Wanting to find out whether one Ray Rhodes was a pilot on the Dams Raid. If anyone has a lead. I knew Ray in Ulverstone, Tasmania around 2000- 2005. (He is the son of Wilfred Rhodes, the test cricketer. )
He told me several hairy stories about being shot up on the way out or the way back.
When I sent an email, more recently, to the 617 SQN Association enquiring, they replied that they could find no Ray Rhodes in their files.
Heathrow Harry
3rd Jan 2018, 09:28
Not listed at
http://www.dambusters.org.uk/the-dam-raids/the-crews/
AARON O'DICKYDIDO
3rd Jan 2018, 09:29
Google is your friend.
https://www.raf.mod.uk/history/dambusterscrewandcodewords.cfm
Aaron.
Heathrow Harry
3rd Jan 2018, 09:44
He may have flown with them later but if teh Squadron Association don't know of him...
Also Wilfred Rhodes the cricketer apparently didn't have a son - only a daughter...
"In October 1899, Rhodes, aged 22, married Sarah Elizabeth Stancliffe, who lived in Kirkheaton and was two years his senior. They lived in a farmhouse, shared with other people, at Bog Hall near Kirkheaton.[194] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilfred_Rhodes#cite_note-194) On 25 August 1902 his wife gave birth to a daughter, their only child."
Training Risky
5th Jan 2018, 11:36
I had the pleasure of attending a 'Parkinson'-style interview at my local British Legion branch with Sqn Ldr Johnson back in October. It was fascinating to hear his lucid recollection of the Raid in person! His opinion of the sqn boss was interesting and, ahem, salty!
I was pleased to see lots of teenagers in the 100+ audience too...glad they had a chance to connect with our proud history outside of tw@tter/youtubes etc...
glad rag
6th Jan 2018, 07:49
Hmm BBC registration required...
tdracer
6th Jan 2018, 21:45
On a similar topic, there is a video out there "Doolittle's Raiders: A Final Toast". It's currently available on Amazon Prime to those who have access.
I literally had tears in my eyes as I watched it.
Hmm BBC registration required...
gr
Try the 'download' (rather than the 'listen') option.
Regards
Batco
S'land
9th Jan 2018, 11:12
BATCO
Thanks for posting this. Although I scroll through the BBC podcast on a weekly basis, I missed this one.
An erudite and reasoned response to all of the questions, including some of the old chestnuts towards the end.