
After the Flood
What the Dambusters Did Next
John Nichol(Author)
William Collins (Publisher)
Published on 2. July 2015
Book
Hardback
384 pages
978-0-00-810031-5 (ISBN)
Description
After the famous dams raid, thousands of equally daring missions were flown in WWII by 617 Squadron. Find out about them here, from former RAF Tornado Navigator and Gulf War veteran John Nichol.
The role RAF 617 Squadron in the destruction of the dams at the heart of the industrial Ruhr has been celebrated in book, magazine and film for more than seventy years.
On the 17th May 1943, 133 airmen set out in 19 Lancasters to destroy the Moehne, Eder and Sorpe dams. 56 of them did not return. Despite these catastrophic losses, the raid became an enormous propaganda triumph. The survivors were feted as heroes and became celebrities of their time.
They had been brought together for one specific task - so what happened next? Of the 77 men who made it home from that raid, 32 would lose their lives later in the war and only 45 survived to see the victory for which they fought.
Few are aware of the extent of the Dambuster squadron's operations after the Dams Raid. They became the 'go to' squadron for specialist precision attacks, dropping the largest bombs ever built on battleships, railway bridges, secret weapon establishments, rockets sites and U-boat construction pens. They were involved in attempts on the lives of enemy leaders, both Hitler and Mussolini, created a 'false fleet' on D-day which fooled the Germans, and knocked out a German super gun which would have rained 600 shells an hour on London.
In 'After The Flood', John Nichol retraces the path of 617 Squadron's most dangerous sorties as their reputation called them into action again and again.
The role RAF 617 Squadron in the destruction of the dams at the heart of the industrial Ruhr has been celebrated in book, magazine and film for more than seventy years.
On the 17th May 1943, 133 airmen set out in 19 Lancasters to destroy the Moehne, Eder and Sorpe dams. 56 of them did not return. Despite these catastrophic losses, the raid became an enormous propaganda triumph. The survivors were feted as heroes and became celebrities of their time.
They had been brought together for one specific task - so what happened next? Of the 77 men who made it home from that raid, 32 would lose their lives later in the war and only 45 survived to see the victory for which they fought.
Few are aware of the extent of the Dambuster squadron's operations after the Dams Raid. They became the 'go to' squadron for specialist precision attacks, dropping the largest bombs ever built on battleships, railway bridges, secret weapon establishments, rockets sites and U-boat construction pens. They were involved in attempts on the lives of enemy leaders, both Hitler and Mussolini, created a 'false fleet' on D-day which fooled the Germans, and knocked out a German super gun which would have rained 600 shells an hour on London.
In 'After The Flood', John Nichol retraces the path of 617 Squadron's most dangerous sorties as their reputation called them into action again and again.
Reviews / Votes
'This is not just another tale of heroism in the skies ... This is a tale of victory, in the end, magnificently told in lip-biting detail' Daily Mail'Full of stirring stories that will make you marvel at the aircrews' fortitude ... deeply moving' Mail on Sunday
Praise for John Nichol:
'Full of poignant episodes ... A fitting tribute to the raw courage of these young men' Daily Express
'A truly epic tale of courage and sacrifice - an intensely moving epitaph to the men of Bomber Command' ANDY McNAB
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
HarperCollins Publishers
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 159 mm
Thickness: 34 mm
Weight
660 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-00-810031-5 (9780008100315)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
07/2015
1st Edition
William Collins
€8.99
Available for download
Person
John Nichol is a former RAF flight lieutenant whose Tornado bomber was shot down on a mission over Iraq during the first Gulf War in 1991. He was captured and made a prisoner of war. He is the bestselling co-author of Tornado Down and also The Last Escape, and Tail-end Charlies. He is also a journalist and widely quoted military commentator.