Celebrate the 80th anniversary of the iconic raid by RAF 617 Squadron thereafter known as the 'Dambusters' with this stunning £5 coin.
These are the first ever official RAF issue coins to feature the portrait of King Charles III. They are licensed with the RAF and bear the official RAF logo making them a perfect collectors item.
The Dambusters raid was a highly daring and innovative bombing operation conducted by the Royal Air Force (RAF) during World War II. The raid was carried out on the night of May 16-17, 1943, and targeted three major dams in the Ruhr Valley in Germany: the Möhne, Eder, and Sorpe Dams.
The goal of the raid was to breach the dams using a new type of bomb designed by engineer Barnes Wallis. The bomb was designed to skip along the surface of the water before hitting the dam wall and sinking to a predetermined depth before exploding, thus maximizing the damage caused by the blast.
The raid was carried out by the newly formed No. 617 Squadron, which became known as the Dambusters. The squadron was made up of highly skilled pilots and aircrew who trained extensively for the mission, flying low-level sorties over the English countryside to prepare for the attack.
On the night of the raid, 19 Lancaster bombers, each carrying a single bouncing bomb, set out for the Ruhr Valley. The operation was highly dangerous, with the aircraft flying at low altitude in the face of heavy enemy fire.
Despite the risks, the operation was a success. The Möhne and Eder Dams were breached, causing extensive flooding and damage to the surrounding areas. The Sorpe Dam was damaged but not breached.
The success of the Dambusters raid was a significant blow to German morale and demonstrated the ingenuity and courage of the British military. However, the raid came at a high cost: 8 of the 19 aircraft involved in the raid were lost, and 53 of the 133 men who participated were killed.
The Dambusters raid remains one of the most iconic operations of World War II and continues to be celebrated for the bravery and skill of the pilots and aircrew who participated.
Housed in its own presentation card and blister pack, your coin will be ready to display or add to your collection.
