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American Joe McCarthy attacks the Sorpe Dam in his Lancaster as part of the 'Dambusters' Raid 16/17th May 1943

• Overall size 28" x 17" 71cm x 43cm
• Image size 25" x 12" 63cm x 31cm
• Painted in 2008

Often overlooked is the attack on the Sorpe Dam by the Second Wave, led by American pilot Joe McCarthy. McCarthy’s bomb aimer ‘Johnny’ Johnson DFM is one of the last survivors of the raid and helped the artist construct a composition which faithfully portrays his crew’s part in Operation Chastise.
Unlike the other dams, the crews were briefed to attack the Sorpe by flying along the crest and dropping the mine without spinning or bouncing from the lowest altitude possible. After 9 attempts to line up correctly, ‘Johnny’ managed to drop their Upkeep right on target from a height of just 30ft.