Dam Busters.

This is coolbert:

ONLY yesterday watching the two hour episode from public broadcast television PBS "Nova" entitled:

"Bombing Hitler's Dams"

"Experts recreate the bold feat of 'dambuster' pilots who used bouncing bombs to destroy two key German dams in WWII."

I recommend this program highly, without qualification. This is a MUST SEE for all devoted readers to the blog no question about it!!

From the program description:

"In 1943 a squadron of Lancaster bombers staged one of the most audacious raids in military history: destroying two gigantic dams in Germany's industrial heartland and cutting the water supply to arms factories. Their secret weapon? A revolutionary bouncing bomb invented by British engineer Barnes Wallis . . . A crack team of experts, including dam engineers, explosives specialists, mechanics, and aircrew, steps into the shoes of the 'dambusters' and attempts to overcome each of the obstacles the original team faced."

Living history [?] in the finest form possible.

During the two hour program many topics are covered which have been previously the subject of blog entries. To include:

* The eccentric but talented Englishman.

* Naval skip shot.

* Military aviation special operations.

* The panacea target. [high value]

* Fighting forest fires. [obliquely so]

* Antiquated military hardware still in operation.

That attack on the Mohne dam now the thing of legends. 617 Squadron, Guy Gibson VC and all that. The skipping bomb of Barnes-Wallis successful, the dams supplying a major portion of the electricity to the German military industrial complex of the Ruhr put out of action, war munitions productions severely cut for a period of months.

Modern scientists and engineers re-creating the actual experiments of Barnes-Wallis, constructing a scale bomb and dam to simulate the actual attack, a Canadian aircrew flying an antiquated but very air worthy WW2 era DC-4 for the low-level bomb run, etc.

Comments:

* Barnes-Wallis indeed was the personification of the dotty but very talented and eccentric Englishman.

* The Canadian air crew flying an antiquated WW2 era but still very potent DC-4 transport plane both were ideally suited for the mission, having gained a lot of experience dropping fire retardant slurry on forest fires from low altitude, and doing so all the time. Fighting a major forest fire is in many respects analogous to warfare!

* Those panacea targets even when mostly destroyed or at least severely damaged, the German able to restore to working order in quick fashion, almost in a manner of casual indifference with self-assured aplomb!

* Naval skip shot from olden times adapted and used by Barnes-Wallis the old ways are the best ways.

Again, if you are able to watch this particular program please do so outstanding in every regard!

coolbert.