On the 4th August 2015, news came through of the death of Squadron Leader Les Munro, the last surviving Dambusters pilot, he was 96. Only two of the crew members from the raid now survive.
The last Dambuster pilot Les Munro. Photo NZME.
Out of the 133 crew who took part in the raids, only 77 returned from the legendary World War Two operation to attack the Ruhr dams. The operation was later made famous in the movie ‘The Dambusters’. The Lancaster bombers used in the operation flew from RAF Scampton, near Lincoln in 1943 and it was their successful use of the “bouncing bombs” designed by Barnes Wallis to damage one dam, and destroy two others that made their mission so well known.
19 bombers left the base on the night of the 16th May, in three waves, setting out towards the Mohne, Eder and Sorpe dams, only 8 aircraft returned. However, the mission was a success and the leader, Wing Commander Guy Gibson, was awarded the Victoria Cross.
Squadron Leader Munro was born on April 5, 1919 in New Zealand, his Scottish father having emigrated in 1903. Following his role in the Dambusters raid, he played a continuing role in the RAF and RNZAF, following his retirement from the forces, he was a pillar of the local community, including a role as Mayor of Tekuiti from 1978 to 1995. He was still flying at the age of 95 and co-piloted an Avro Anson plane in January this year. He was predeceased by his wife Betty, and is survived by 4 of their 5 children.