Dam Busters, The

Doc. (Charles Carson) calls upon Dr. Barnes Wallis (Michael Redgrave) at his home. Grange Farm on Deep Mill Lane, Great Missenden in Buckinghamshire. In reality Barnes Wallis lived at White Hill House, Effingham in Surrey and British Film Locations' Geoff Dodd confirms this location due to a family association advising that the well, seen as the car is turning, was a prop. Malcolm Tinnelly adds that in the 70s the farm was the home of then Prime Minister Harold Wilson.

Antony Blair provides a wider view of the scene 68 years later, with greenery and fencing obscuring much of the property.

Attention turns to Parliament Street looking towards Whitehall, London SW1 and the Committee meeting that is to hear of progress, if any, by Barnes Wallis.

Rather more street furniture these days.

The committee grant Barnes two weeks to develop his revised idea and make a visit to see how things are developing, here with Sir David Pye (Stanley Van Beers).

Without a location identified for the screen capture, Antony Blair provides this shot of the monument to Barnes Wallis on Moor Lane at Harmonsworth village, near Heathrow where some of the testing was conducted.

Given permission to use “Experimental Ship Tank at Teddington”, Official (Raymond Huntley- Center) at National Physical Laboratory didn’t expect him to be there after five months. National Physical Laboratory, Teddington.

John Harwood had a confirmation from a person on site that this was the correct place. This is from Rayleigh Avenue looking east over the roundabout to Bullard Road and Admiralty Road. (SJ)

Having found it impossible to obtain ministerial support to take his project further Barnes back to National Physical Laboratory to meet with Captain Joseph (Mutt) Summers, C.B.E. (Patrick Barr) to ask him to use his influence to take the project to “Bomber Harris”. With thanks to Paul Atkinson who advises, with supporting proof, that this was Brooklands Airfield at Byfleet in Surrey. Various aspects of the airfield are seen in 'Death Is a Number', 'A Fire Has Been Arranged', 'Q Planes', 'Death Drives Through', 'The Rake's Progress' and 'Ask a Policeman'.

The Prime Minister instructs the project to proceed and the man chosen to lead the associated squadron is Guy Gibson (Richard Todd) who lands his Lancaster. Not much background to work on but most likely to be RAF Hemswell, Lincolnshire.

Gibson is called to see the AOC, Air Vice-Marshal The Honorable Ralph Cochrane (Ernest Clark) the following day and told to form a new squadron. Geoff tells us that this is Hilfield Castle on Hilfield Lane near Aldenham in Hertfordshire and was also seen in 'Murder at the Gallop', 'Out of the Blue', 'The Door with Seven Locks' 'Five Have a Mystery to Solve' and 'Lolita' as well as episodes of television's 'The Avengers' and 'Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased)'.

He arrives back at base just as his crew are leaving for a time in London. RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire.

Ian Johns sends us this shot of Hemswell Court, Lancaster Green, Hemswell Cliff, Gainsbororough, Lincs, now a Wedding Venue

At RAF Scampton Gibson meets his new squadron.

Paul Hatlee provides us with a shot from ground level that he managed to take during a visit in 2016. The window with the white panel is obscured from view in the screen capture.

Their new Lancaster’s arrive so training can commence. RAF Hemswell.

Low level flying is the first priority. This looks as if it could be off the Lincolnshire coast.

“Fly over every big lake in England and Wales and photograph them”.

“A full size bomb is to be taken to Reculver”…..Gibson is asked to go and watch. Filming however, is believed to be on the Lincolnshire coast, near Skegness, at Gibraltar Point.

The three bombs all explode on impact. Gibraltar Point near Skegness.

A further test run is scheduled at Reculver, Kent at an even lower altitude as Barnes says goodbye to Mutt and leaves for a half hours drive. I am saying that this is RAF Hemswell but the hangar ‘M.T.” may help a certain identification.

Gibson and his crew then test the distance sighting instrument. Flying first over the Howden Dam, Derbyshire.

Kieran provides this comparative shot of Howden Dam, whilst off angle as he did not have a boat with him, he does provide a better view of the dam.

That leads on to the Derwent Dam where it was tested referencing the towers.

Once again limited the the land Kieran a good comparative shot of Derwent Dam.

Group Captain J. N. H. Whitworth (Derek Farr) tells Gibson that if the weather holds the job will be tomorrow night. RAF Scampton.

I am sure, like me, others will find this a very sad and moving shot provided by Mark Alford following a recent visit. Of necessity it was the closest he could get as it is now condemed and completely off limits. Mark also took a photograph of Gibson's restored office above the 'Dam Busters' hangar as well as a comparative shot relevant to the following capture, these can be seen by following the link in the Header Section.

The planes and the bombs are ready. Paul Hatlee tells us that this is definitely RAF Scampton, as his guide on the day, was actually there during the filming in 1954 as a maintenance man apprentice. A later comparative shot (2024) can be seen by following the link in the Header Section for Gibson's restored office abve the 'Dam Busters' hangar.

Paul's shot was again, taken during a visit in 2016.

The following morning the crews assemble for briefing. RAF Scampton.

While Gibson briefs the crews his dog becomes distressed, searches for him, and rushes into the road. Alan Adams 'read somewhere' that this sequence and perhaps other ground scenes were filmed at Bassingbourn Barracks, Bassingbourn, Herts.

Alan provides us with this picture of the Bassingbourn Barracks guardhouse that he took in September 2021 that certainly confirms what he read.

Group Captain J. N. H. Whitworth and Barnes Wallis watch as the planes take off for their mission. RAF Hemswell.

The attack on the Möhne Dam. An Elstree model, one of three of the Ruhr dams, with matte overlays. Included for completeness.

After, in some respects, a successful night, “Gibby” has to “write some letters”. RAF Scampton.

Paul has also provided us with this photograph that he took during his visit of a glass display cabinet containing all the officers mess silver, together with Dambuster Squadron members individual named tankards that were found in a skip and given to the museum...........a lucky find!