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‘JOHNNY’ JOHNSON

Sqn Ldr George ‘Johnny’ Johnson THE LAST DAMBUSTER

As the last edition of Lincolnshire Pride appeared in shops, we were saddened to hear of the loss of Squadron Leader George Leonard ‘Johnny’ Johnson, whom we had the privilege of meeting on several occasions. The last surviving member of The Dambusters raid often recalled flying the 1943 Operation Chastise sortie which would make heroes of Scampton’s 617 squadron...

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ON A FROSTY MORNING in December, news broke that Britain had lost a hero, one with strong connections with Lincolnshire and a place in history as the final surviving member of the squadron which led 1943’s Dambusters raids to cripple industrial Germany and shorten the second world war. Heartbroken to have lost one of their most beloved colleagues, the Royal Air Force, and particularly those serving at Scampton, paid tribute to George Leonard ‘Johnny’ Johnson following his funeral. At the time of his death, he was the last surviving member of the original Dambusters. Wreaths to remember Johnny and his fellow Dambusters were laid by Air Vice Marshal Simon Edwards, the Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Strategy), at the RAF Bomber Command Memorial in central London, and by the RAF Scampton Station Commander, Wing Commander Neill Atkins, at 617’s World War II hangar at RAF Scampton. The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston said: “We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to Johnny Johnson and all his generation who fought for our freedom in World War II. Their courage, skill and resilience continue to inspire the Royal Air Force to this day. Johnny’s contribution to the war effort, and that of his colleagues, has continued to be recognised by the RAF and the wider public right up to the present day. He remained a much-loved member of the RAF family and a well-known attendee at key World War II memorial events over the years. Many current service personnel had the privilege of meeting him on these occasions and hearing more about his life and service. He also attended the Pride of Britain Awards in 2018, as part of the RAF’s 100th birthday celebrations and was delighted to share in those celebrations.

RAF Scampton Station Commander, Wing Commander Neill Atkins said: “The courageous actions of Johnny, and his comrades on 617 Squadron during Operation Chastise are enshrined in the history of RAF Scampton. While we remember Johnny personally, Station personnel have today taken time to reflect on the brave actions of the many thousands of aircrew who flew in Bomber Command, so many of whom laid down their lives in World War II.”

Following training as a Lancaster bomb aimer and multiple operational sorties over Europe, Johnny Johnson went on to take part in arguably the most famous bombing raid of World War II, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal. In 2017, he was also made a Member of the Order of the British Empire. Wing Commander Stewart Campbell, the current Officer Commanding 617 Squadron said: “As Johnny Johnson is laid to rest, the current members of 617 Squadron pause and reflect on the service of Johnny and the rest of the original Dambusters. The famous raid that gives us our squadron name, was a feat of great daring, but also significant technical innovation.” “The weapons techniques and equipment were at the cutting edge of technology and today, as the first front line squadron in the RAF to fly the fifth generation F-35B Lightning, we are striving to maintain that tradition of technical innovation that our squadron forebears set right from the beginning.” >>

Wing Commander Neill Atkins, RAF Scampton's Station Commander, lays a wreath at the door of Hangar 2, RAF Scampton, in honour of Johnny Johnson.

>> Johnny volunteered to join the RAF in 1940 as aircrew and after training in Florida, became an Air Gunner before being posted to 97 Squadron, that was then based at RAF Woodhall Spa. His first operational raid was to Danzig now known as the city of Gdynia, Poland in 1942. This first sortie however was aborted due to an engine failure. The following night Johnny and the rest of his crew was part of a successful raid on the city of Nuremberg in southern Germany. After training to become a Bomb Aimer at RAF Fulbeck, Johnny returned to 97 Squadron. His first raid as a Bomb Aimer was to the southern German city of Munich. During this raid his Avro Lancaster bomber was forced to make an emergency landing at RAF Bottesford near Grantham, after suffering damage after being attacked by German night fighters. Johnny flew on a further 18 missions with 97 Squadron. In March 1943, aircrew from across Bomber Command were selected to form a new squadron for a special mission. This new squadron became 617 Squadron, and the special mission was Operation Chastise, the daring and innovative attacks on the Eder, Sorpe and Möhne Dams that supplied hydropower and water to the industrial Ruhr region of Germany. Led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, who was awarded a Victoria Cross for the operation, Johnny flew as a member of the crew of Lancaster ‘T-Tommy,’ flown by American Joe McCarthy, who was serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force and who had been Johnny’s pilot for most of his operational sorties with 97 Squadron. Johnny’s Lancaster was detailed to attack the Sorpe Dam which required a different style of attack to that carried out on the Eder and Möhne Dams. For this dam the Lancasters had to fly 60 feet above the dam along its length. For Johnny’s Lancaster it took ten attempts, before he was finally able to release the bomb. The dam was damaged, contributing to thousands of Germans having to withdraw from their Atlantic defences to repair the dams. Over 100 factories and 33 bridges were impacted. The feat earned 617 Squadron the name ‘Dambusters,’ after the complex planning, ingenuity, skill and bravery it took to carry out the raid. Johnny went on a further 19 missions with 617 Squadron, before working as a bombing instructor until the end of the War. He then served as a Commissioned Officer navigator with both 100 and 120 Squadrons. Retiring from the RAF in 1962, he trained as a teacher. Initially teaching in primary schools, before becoming involved in adult education, including teaching psychiatric patients at Rampton Hospital. On his retirement, Johnny and his wife moved to Torquay, where they both became active in local politics, both as a local councillor and chairman of the constituency party. Johnny received an honorary doctorate from the University of Lincoln for his contribution to British Society. He was also an Honorary Life Member of the RAF Club in Piccadilly, London. Johnny had published an autobiography recounting his story, ‘George ‘Johnny’ Johnson, The Last British Dambuster.’ The death of Johnny Johnson also reminds all serving RAF personnel that Johnny, as a Dambuster, was part of an exceptional group of aircrew who conducted the raid and have gone on to inspire subsequent generations. n

Johnny Johnson inspects 70 Sqn’s A400m Atlas aircraft at RAF Brize Norton in 2018. Dr George ‘Johnny’ Johnson MBE DFM RAF (Ret’d) was the Bomb Aimer on Flt Lt John McCarthy’s Lancaster AJ-T tasked to attack the Sorpe Dam on the night of the 16 May 1943. He died on 7th December 2022.

Air Vice Marshal Simon Edwards, at the RAF Bomber Command Memorial in central London, laying a wreath for Johnny Johnson.

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