While the Lancaster saw the vast majority of its service as a high altitude night bomber, attacking strategic targets deep within Germany, notably its involvement in the battles of the Ruhr, Hamburg and Berlin, it was a daring low level raid that gave the Lancaster arguably its finest hour. The Dambusters raid, as it has since become known, was one of the most famous opertions of the war. Led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, the nineteen specially modified Lancaster bombers attacked the Mohne, Eder, Sorpe, and Ennepe dams, with the Mohne and Eder dams being breached.

This caused widespread drestruction to both the German war effort and food production. The dams were breached using a special type of bomb, the Upkeep mine, or 'bouncing bomb'. This was rotated before being dropped so that is skipped along the surface before impacting against the dam, sinking and exploding, thus rupturing the dam. This avoided the need for high altitude raid and avoided torpedo nets. the attack was a partial success, but greatly improved the morale of the Allies and the British public.

Operation Chastise was the official name for the attacks on the German dams, which occured on 17th May 1943 during the Second World War. The attack was carried out buy 617 Squadron RAF, specially formed for this unique and highly dangerous mission. The squadron subsequently became known as the legendary Dambusters.

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Aircraft flown by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, Commanding Officer (Royal Canadian Air Force) No.617 Squadron, "Operation Chastise" Royal Air Force Scampton, England 16 / 17 May 1943.

Afmetingen van de Lancaster B.III Special;