8 December 2022
Sq Ldr George ‘Johnny’ Johnson, last survivor of the WWII Dambusters Raid, has died at the age of 101. A statement from his family said he died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday.
Sq Ldr Johnson was a bomb-aimer in 617 Squadron which carried out the raid in 1943, destroying two dams in Germany’s in the Ruhr Valley and damaging a third. The dams released a tidal wave of water into the industrial area, affecting production of war materials.
The raid, codenamed ‘Operation Chastise’, was hugely dangerous with eight of the 19 bombers shot down and 53 crew killed. Sq Ldr Johnson’s Lancaster had the hardest target, the Scorpe Dam, when it was realised the specially developed bomb sight was useless at this location. The special ‘bouncing bombs’ had to released by instinct and judgement alone – and Sq Ldr Johnson made the crew make nine attempts on the target before feeling confident enough to release the bombs, 30ft above the water.
A campaign to recognise his role in the raid finally achieved success in 2017 when he was awarded an MBE.
After 22 years in the TAF, Sq Ldr Johnson became a teacher in Nottinghamshire, later moving to Devon.
Full obituary on BBC
More on the Dambusters Raid from the RAF
Meet Dambuster Johnny Johnson and his new film
Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Sqn Ldr George ‘Johnny’ Johnson DFM MBE. The last Dambuster. He died peacefully in his sleep last night surrounded by his family. The humblest of heroes, a true gentleman and my flying friend. May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/TgnzI1eke6
— Darren Lewington (@DarrenLewington) December 8, 2022
Absolutely gutted to hear of the passing of ‘Johnny’ Johnson who turned 101 just a few weeks ago 😢
I feel incredibly honoured to have spent such time in this great man’s company & to have shared a whiskey or two! Rest in Peace Johnny & blue skies – thoughts with his family 🙏🏻 https://t.co/gucfRMpNza— Jonny Cracknell (@jonnycrackers82) December 7, 2022
