L for Leather over the Eder Dam black and white version
by Gary Eason
Title
L for Leather over the Eder Dam black and white version
Artist
Gary Eason
Medium
Digital Art - Photographic
Description
0130 on 17 May 1943: Cooler 6 begins attack. Flt Lt Dave Shannon (RAAF) flying Lancaster Type 464 ED929/G, AJ-L (nicknamed "L for Leather"), makes the first run at the undefended Eder Dam during 617 Squadron's Operation Chastise, watched by mission leader Wing Cdr Guy Gibson in AJ-G. The downward-pointing Aldis lamps, offset to the right, were to gauge the 60ft approach height. The valley contours make it extremely difficult to attain the tight release parameters so bomb aimer Flt Sgt Len Sumpter does not yet drop the Upkeep revolving depth charge ("bouncing bomb").
Dam reconstructed from a photo by Stephen Thomas and aircraft are extensive reworkings of photos by Ronnie Macdonald and Tony Hisgett (all with permission).
Monochrome version. Colour also available.
Uploaded
July 20th, 2012
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