ON the 80th anniversary of one of World War II’s most famous air raids “Operation Chastise” (better known as the Dambusters Raid), the Australian War Memorial is previewing an original Sorpe Dam model that was used to prepare for the raids.

The raids, using “bouncing bombs” damaged three dams in Germany’s Rurhr Valley

“These models are 3D dioramas used by the pilots and aircrew to familiarise themselves with the targets ahead of the operation,” said AWM senior historian Lachlan Grant.

“The Dambusters Raid boosted morale in Britain and the Commonwealth at a time when things were not going well.

“There were 13 Australians in 617 Squadron who flew in the Dambusters Raid, including four pilots.”

He said the squadron made a daring raid using special bombs on German dams supplying the Ruhr industrial works. But the cost was high. Of the 19 Lancasters that took part in the raid, eight were lost, with 53 aircrew killed.

The Bomber Command operation took place on May 16, 1943. The squadron soon became famous as the Dambusters.

“For Australians, Bomber Command was statistically one of the most dangerous places to serve during the Second World War,” Dr Grant said.

“From the 10,000 Australians who served in Bomber Command, the names of the more than 4,100 who died are listed on the Memorial’s Roll of Honour.”

The AWM has models for all three of the main targets – the Eder, Sorpe and Möhne dams – in its collection. The Sorpe Dam model will be displayed for the first time in the new Anzac Hall, due for completion in late 2025.

The model of the Möhne Dam is currently on display in the memorial’s World War II galleries.