Tornado fighters from the RAF 617 Squadron

Tornado GR4 crews from 617 Squadron, based at Ali Al Salem in northern Kuwait, were taking part in what Wing Commander Dave Robertson, 45, called "an historic mission" on the 60th anniversary of the squadron's formation.

The Dambusters are famed for their World War II mission where they dropped bouncing bombs to breach dams on the Rhur.

In Iraq, crews were using the latest airborne long range cruise missiles called Storm Shadows to penetrate inside the heavily reinforced bases of Saddam Hussein's High Command.

We have never flown with the real thing and had no idea how well it would work Group Captain Simon Dobb

During their mission, two Tornados came under Iraqi missile attack.

One had to ditch its fuel tanks so it could evade a surface to air missile.

When it returned to base, it had virtually run out of fuel.

'Hearts in mouth'

The Storm Shadow missiles, each of which costs around �750,000, were rushed into service early so they would be ready for the conflict.

Their deployment was so secret, they were moved around under the cover of darkness.

Group Captain Simon Dobb, the RAF detachment commander at Ali Al Salem said the missile was not due to enter service until later this year, although the squadron had been running test flights with dummies from their base at RAF Lossiemouth.

But he said: "It was untried in an operational environment, and was a hearts in mouth operation for us because we have never flown with the real thing and had no idea how well it would work."

I knew we were making history Group Captain Simon Dobb

The Tornados of 617 Squadron took off with a full payload of Storm Shadows, which can be released 75 miles (230km) from their target, at the beginning of the aerial bombardment of Baghdad on Friday.

But soon after crossing the border into Iraq, a Tornado flown by pilot Squadron Leader Noddy Knowles and navigator Flight Lieutenant Andy Turk, was locked on to by a surface to air missile and forced to ditch its fuel tanks.

Group Captain Dobb said: "We were flying to targets north of Baghdad. Storm Shadows are heavy at 1,350kg each, and we use more fuel. Noddy and Andy were fuel critical so we let them go in first to fire their missiles and return home.

"Then, as we entered our attack run, we too came under missile attack. We were targeted by what I think was an Iraqi SA2 missile."

Nervous - and excited

He and pilot, Squadron Leader Andy Myers, had to take evasive action before continuing with their mission.

Group Captain Dobb added: "We were operating in a high-threat environment.

"Looking back I can say I was nervous. And I was excited, not in a joyful sense, but because I knew we were making history.

"I believe in what we are doing and I am confident that we are selecting regime targets using weapons that are accurate.

"I am proud of what we have achieved so far."

The Storm Shadow was designed and built to a British military specification by Matra BAe Dynamics (UK) Ltd.

The missile is conventionally armed and guided to specific targets by a navigation system to avoid collateral damage.

Early assessments suggest the missiles hit their intended targets with pinpoint accuracy, said Group Captain Dobb.