Dambusters Lancasters at Abberton BW version

617 Squadron prepared for Operation Chastise, the attack on the Ruhr dams in May 1943, with a final rehearsal on three reservoirs in England: the Derwent, the Eyebrook, and this one - then newly built, Abberton Reservoir in Essex and referred to in the squadron's records as "Colchester Lake". The specially adapted Type 464 (Provisioning) Lancaster bombers were flown at just 60ft above the water using triangulated spotlights.