The Bridge Busters : The First Dambusters and the Race to Save Britain

by Mark Felton

August 1940. Britain faces German invasion. A race is on to wreck Hitler's plans led by RAF Bomber Command's No. 5 Group, commanded by the famous 'Bomber' Harris. Two aqueducts, huge water bridges on the Dortmund-Ems Canal, along which the Germans are bringing invasion barges and supplies to the Channel coast, are identified as crucial to stopping Hitler. Can they be destroyed? A motley collection of daredevil British and Australian airmen are ordered to try, including Guy Gibson of later Dambusters fame. They are in a race against time, for every day that the aqueducts remain standing, the Germans gather to invade. At the same time, the British race to develop a new kind of bomb that can be dropped on the aqueducts, and scientists face almost insurmountable technical and obstacles. By mid-August 1940 eleven aircrews, flying old, slow and poorly armed Hampden bombers, have completed training for the raid. On the night of 12 August they launch from Lincolnshire, split into an attacking and diversionary force. They face desperate odds against a huge concentration of German flak guns, enemy night fighters and searchlights, and must fly suicidally low, slow and level to release the new bombs. In a raid with many similarities in personnel, target and weapon to the much more famous Dambusters Raid of 1943, the plucky band of outnumbered and outgunned airmen press home their assault on the aqueducts. If they fail, the Germans will probably be landing on the coast of southern England within a few weeks, but if they succeed, they may change the course of history and help to save their country from invasion and occupation. This is the untold and completely forgotten story of 'The Bridge Busters', the first Dambusters and their suicide mission just before the Battle of Britain began.

148 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 8, 2019

About the author

British military historian and author. For more information visit www.markfelton.co.uk

Reviews

[Russell Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Fantastic

This story is so well researched and told that we can not help but be there on the flight decks of these amazing crews during some of the most frightful times in England’s history. Being a fan of Mark Felton already, I can’t say just how pleased and surprised I was by this story of brave airmen. This book should be a must-read for all World War Two historical readers. The pages of research cited at the end show just how dedicated Mr. Felton is as a writer and historian. This book is a double whammy of fact and story telling I highly recommend.

[ken knox · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book about an unknown episode and critical time of WWII

Really enjoyed reading this book which gripped me from start to finish
It’s hard to imagine that this was all undertaken by men with an average age of twenty two

[Gary Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellently written!

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in WWII Aviation history. Mark has made this narrative ever as much exciting as his stories on his YouTube channels. I look forward to reading more of his works.

[PETER R STINSON · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story. Mark is able to find these incredible but unknown stories. Very well researched and well written. Couldn't put it down. We don't realise just how unprepared Britain was for the German invasion and cant imagine the bravery of these guys

[Christopher Bowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I loved reading this book. Mark researched his subject well and it shows in the details he has included. A fascinating insight in to just how close Britain came to being defeated.

[Gary Boland · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting little preview to the dambusters raid but I am still unsure of the premise that the wehrmacht could/would have mounted an amphibious assault of Britain in 1940

[Mikey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous boys own adventure style account of Early WWII RAF bombing raids