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No. 617 Squadron RAF

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Article Genealogy
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No. 617 Squadron RAF
Unit nameNo. 617 Squadron RAF
DatesFormed 21 March 1943
CountryUnited Kingdom
BranchRoyal Air Force
TypeSpecialist bomber squadron
RolePrecision attack
NicknameThe Dambusters
MottoAprès moi le déluge (After me, the flood)
BattlesSecond World War, Cold War, Gulf War, War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
Notable commandersWing Commander Guy Gibson, Wing Commander Leonard Cheshire

No. 617 Squadron RAF. It is a legendary Royal Air Force squadron, most famous for the audacious Operation Chastise in 1943, which breached dams in the Ruhr valley using specially designed bouncing bombs. Formed during the Second World War as a specialist precision bombing unit, the squadron has since evolved through the Cold War and into the modern era, operating advanced aircraft for deep-precision strike missions. Its unique history and enduring "Dambusters" nickname have cemented its place in both military aviation history and popular culture.

History

The squadron was formed on 21 March 1943 at RAF Scampton under the command of Wing Commander Guy Gibson, specifically for a high-risk mission proposed by engineer Barnes Wallis. Following its famous dam raids, it continued as an elite Pathfinder unit within No. 5 Group RAF, undertaking precision attacks on vital targets like V-weapons sites and the Tirpitz battleship. Post-war, it was disbanded but reformed in 1958 to operate the English Electric Canberra and later the Avro Vulcan as part of the V bomber nuclear deterrent force. During the Cold War, it transitioned to the Panavia Tornado GR1, seeing combat in the Gulf War and later over the Balkans. In 2014, it became the first frontline squadron to operate the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning, continuing its precision-strike role from RAF Marham.

Aircraft operated

The squadron's initial operations were conducted with the Avro Lancaster B Mk III (Special), modified to carry the Upkeep bouncing bomb. After the dams raid, it used standard Avro Lancasters and later the improved Avro Lancaster B.I (FE) in the Pacific War. In the jet age, it was equipped with the English Electric Canberra B.6 and the strategic Avro Vulcan B.2. From the 1980s, its primary aircraft was the Panavia Tornado GR1, later upgraded to the Panavia Tornado GR4, which it flew for over three decades. As of the 2020s, it operates the fifth-generation Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning as part of the UK's Carrier Strike Group.

Notable operations

Its defining mission remains Operation Chastise in May 1943, which targeted the Möhne, Eder, and Sorpe Dams using bouncing bombs. Subsequent notable wartime actions included the successful sinking of the German battleship Tirpitz in 1944 using massive Tallboy bombs, and precision raids on V-2 rocket launch sites and the Dortmund-Ems Canal. In the modern era, the squadron participated in extensive operations during the Gulf War, enforcing the no-fly zone over Iraq. It also saw action during the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) and the 2011 NATO intervention in Libya, consistently performing deep-strike and reconnaissance missions.

Badge and motto

The squadron's badge, approved in 1944, features a wall shattered by lightning in the chief, and three bursts of water in base, symbolizing the breached dams. Its Latin motto, "Après moi le déluge" (After me, the flood), is a direct reference to the catastrophic flooding caused by Operation Chastise. The imagery and motto were personally championed by the squadron's first commander, Guy Gibson, and were officially granted by King George VI.

Commanding officers

The inaugural and most famous commanding officer was Wing Commander Guy Gibson, who received the Victoria Cross for his leadership during the dams raid. He was succeeded by other notable leaders including Wing Commander George Holden and the highly decorated Wing Commander Leonard Cheshire, who later founded Cheshire Homes. Post-war commanders have included figures such as Squadron Leader Johnnie Johnson, a top Allied fighter ace, and numerous officers who have led the squadron through its transitions to the Avro Vulcan, Panavia Tornado, and Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning.

The squadron's story was immortalized in the 1955 film The Dam Busters, starring Michael Redgrave as Barnes Wallis and Richard Todd as Guy Gibson. The film's iconic march by composer Eric Coates remains widely recognized. The raid has been featured in numerous documentaries, books, and television series, including episodes of Doctor Who and references in Star Wars. The "Dambusters" name and legacy continue to resonate, inspiring everything from museum exhibits to the names of pubs and sports teams across the United Kingdom.

Category:Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons Category:Military units and formations established in 1943