Men of the Dams Tribute installed at the International Bomber Command Centre to Commemorate 80^th Anniversary

The International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC), near Lincoln, has installed a tribute to the Dambusters to mark the 80^th anniversary, on the 16^th/17^th May, of this iconic operation.

The figures of the 53 men who lost their lives have been produced by a collaboration between Standing with Giants artist, Dan Barton, and military artist, Simon Smith.

The central focus is that of the crew of ED887 AJ-A who successfully breached the Möhne Dam.  It was piloted by Sqn Ldr Henry Melvin “Dinghy” Young.  The crew were hit only 200 yards from safety when the last land-based gun battery, at Wijk-aan-Zee, scored a hit.  These figures and those of Wg Cdr Guy Gibson VC, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar and Bouncing Bomb inventor, Barnes Wallis, have been crated from their photographs.

This installation follows the huge success of the Standing with Giants silhouettes for the 40^th anniversary of the Falklands’ War, that were on display at the IBCC from October 22 to March 23.

In line with the new King’s wishes, this was a volunteer led project with 20 volunteers from Standing With Giants and the IBCC working on the installation to get it ready in time for the anniversary.

The installation, which is free to visit, will be in place until mid-August.