Guy Gibson

Guy Gibson, fully; Wing Commander Guy Penrose Gibson VC DFC with bar DSO with bar (12 August 1918-19 September 1944), was the first CO of the RAF's 617 "Dambuster" Squadron, which he led in the Dam Busters raid (Operation Chastise), in 1943, resulting in the destruction of two large dams in the Ruhr area. He was killed later in the war. Gibson was born in Simla in the Empire of India, the son of Alexander James Gibson and Norah Gibson. He moved with his family to to Porthleven, Cornwall, England in 1921 aged three. He was educated at St. Edward's School, Oxford. Gibson's dog Nigger was killed just prior to the raid. Gibson won the Victoria Cross for this mission:

''Wing Commander Gibson, whose personal courage knew no bounds, was quickly recognised to be an outstanding operational pilot and leader. He served with conspicuously successful results as a night bomber pilot and also as a night fighter pilot, on operational tours. In addition, on his "rest" nights he made single-handed attacks on highly defended objectives such as the German battleship Tirpitz. Wing Commander Gibson was then selected to command a squadron formed for special tasks. Under his inspiring leadership this squadron executed one of the most devastating attacks of the war - the breaching of the Moehne and Eder dams. Wing Commander Gibson personally made the initial attack on the Moehne dam. Descending to within a few feet of the water, he delivered his attack with great accuracy. He then circled very low for thirty minutes, drawing the enemy fire and permitting as free a run as possible to the following aircraft. He repeated these tactics in the attack on the Eder dam. Throughout his operational career, prolonged exceptionally at his own request, he has shown leadership, determination and valour of the highest order.

He was sent on a lecture tour of the United States, and wrote an account of the raids, Enemy Coast Ahead; the Air Ministry did not want their heroes getting killed. The tour was at a time "when the first American airmen were coming home `tour expired' after 25 operations. During questions one young lady asked `Wing commander Gibson, how many operations have you been on over Germany?' `One hundred and seventy-four.' There was a stunned silience." [From Sir Robert Thompson's autobiography Make for the Hills]. Gibson returned to operational duties in 1944 after pestering to continue flying, and was killed when his de Havilland Mosquito was shot down during a bombing raid on Rheydt. He survived his wife, Eve Mary Gibson of Westminster. Gibson was played by Richard Todd in the film The Dam Busters.

External Reference

\n* Guy Gibson biography from UK educational site Gibson, Guy