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Reel Histories - Dam Busters

Did the RAF’s finest hour shorten the Second World War? War historians continue to disagree. With Gerry Northam. From 2003.

The most famous bombing mission in history was an operational success.

But did the bouncing bomb do anything to shorten the duration of the Second World War?

Decades on from 617 Squadron's raid on the Ruhr dams, historians still disagree over the real effects of one of the RAF's finest hours.

Journalist Gerry Northam explores the history behind celluloid images of our past.

Producer: John Byrne

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2003.

30 minutes

Last on

Mon 15 Aug 202203:30
BBC Radio 4 Extra

Broadcasts

  • Wed 16 May 201806:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Wed 16 May 201813:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Wed 16 May 201820:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Thu 17 May 201801:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Thu 11 Aug 202214:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Fri 12 Aug 202202:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sun 14 Aug 202215:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Mon 15 Aug 202203:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra