Dam Busters

Official, Ministry of Aircraft Production:
You say you need a Wellington Bomber for test drops. They're worth their weight in gold. Do you really think the authorities will lend you one? What possible argument could I put forward to get you a Wellington?

Barnes Wallace:
Well, if you told them I designed it, do you think that might help?

Farmer:
Every time one of these Lancasters fly over, my chickens lay premature eggs.

Barnes Wallace:
Why don't you turn in, Gibbo?

Gibson:
I've got some letters to write.

Gibson:
How many guns do you think there are, Trevor?

Trevor-Roper:
I'd say there are about ten guns - some in the field, and some in the tower.

Barnes Wallace:
Do you know how much water it takes the Germans to make a ton of steel?

Doctor:
I haven't the least idea.

Barnes Wallace:
One hundred tons. Now just look at this.

Barnes Wallace:
The whole of this great arsenal of war factories in the Ruhr depends for its water on three enormous dams. The Moehne. The Eder. And, the Sorpe. They control the level of the canals and supply a lot of hydroelectric power as well. When those are full they hold four hundred *million* tons of water. Just think of the chaos if we could break those walls down.

Bomber Harris:
Cochrane.

Bomber Harris:
Don't go for a minute. What do you think of Wallis' idea for bursting the Ruhr Dams?

Air Vice-Marshal Cochrane:
It sounds a bit far-fetched. But, personally, I think it could be done.

Bomber Harris:
I hope you're right. Anyway, I've given it my support, and I've had orders to get ready. I want you to take it on.

Air Vice-Marshal Cochrane:
Right, sir. I'd like to. It'll mean taking a squadron out of the line for special training.

Bomber Harris:
No. We must form a special squadron for this. And man it with experienced crews who have just finished their present thirty trips. Some of those keen youngsters won't mind doing an extra one.

Air Vice-Marshal Cochrane:
Do you have anyone in mind to command the squadron?

Bomber Harris:
Yes. Gibson.

Squadron Leader H.E. Maudslay, DFC:
Enemy coast ahead.

Barnes Wallace:
How are you getting on with the low flying?

Gibson:
Ah, it's awfully hard to get accuracy. I mean to within a few feet. Especially at night, over water. Still, we'll find some way of doing it.

Barnes Wallace:
Yes, yes, it must be very difficult.

Flight Lt. R.C. Hay, DFC:
Bomb-aiming is another headache, sir. The ordinary bombsight isn't accurate enough at such a low level. And you want the aircraft to drop their bombs dead on the same spot, one after another?

Barnes Wallace:
Yes, yes, within a few feet.

Gibson:
Well, we'll look after our headaches and leave you to look after yours.

Barnes Wallace:
I'm afraid that's all we can do at present. Oh, I shall get it right within a few days. You must try and come down again.

Gibson:
I'd like to, sir.

Air Vice-Marshal Cochrane:
Good morning, Gibson.

Gibson:
Morning, sir.

Air Vice-Marshal Cochrane:
First of all, congratulations on the bar to your DSO.

Gibson:
Thank you, sir.

Air Vice-Marshal Cochrane:
You finished your third tour last night?

Gibson:
Yes sir.

Air Vice-Marshal Cochrane:
Would you be prepared to take on one more trip?

Gibson:
What kind of trip, sir?

Air Vice-Marshal Cochrane:
I can't tell you much about it, for the present. But, it'll be a special one and you'll command the operation. I'm afraid it'll mean putting off your leave. How do you feel about it?

Gibson:
Alright sir.

Air Vice-Marshal Cochrane:
Good. It's going to need careful training, the commander-in-chief wants a special squadron formed. it'll be best if you formed it yourself. I'm telling all the squadrons they'll have to be prepared to give up some of their most experienced crews. They're not going to like it.

Capt. Joseph Summers, CBE:
How'd you get on?

Barnes Wallace:
It's hopeless.

Capt. Joseph Summers, CBE:
What happened?

Barnes Wallace:
Nothing. I walked up and down Whitehall. In and out of offices. Up and down stairs. Sat outside rooms. I felt like a peddlar trying to sell clockwork toys.

Capt. Joseph Summers, CBE:
I wish there was something I could do.

Barnes Wallace:
There is, Mutt.

Capt. Joseph Summers, CBE:
What?

Barnes Wallace:
Let's take the whole thing straight to Bomber Command.

Capt. Joseph Summers, CBE:
Harris?

Barnes Wallace:
Yes! You're one of the few men that really know him. If he sees the films and gets interested... Well, it'll only need one word from him.

Barnes Wallace:
Why not?

Capt. Joseph Summers, CBE:
Well, there's a bit of a snag there. See, he gets so innundated with fantastic inventions...

Barnes Wallace:
Oh, that's ridiculous! Everything he's using had to have been invented. Look, if you tell him that it's worthwhile he'll listen to you, won't he?

Capt. Joseph Summers, CBE:
I'll do what I can... But don't blame me if he throws us both out of the window.

Air Vice-Marshal Cochrane:
Are you in touch with the reserve formation?

Group Signals Officer:
All except Burpee, sir. He hasn't answered for some time.