Posts: 3541
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 12-08-2022 04:02 PM            

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Those of us who regularly attended the Autographica events in England will be saddened at the passing of Squadron Leader George 'Johnny' Johnson DFC, MBE, who died on Wednesday December 7 at the age of 101.

'Johnny' Johnson was the last surviving "Dambuster" of the legendary RAF 617 Squadron which attacked the great dams of the Ruhr region, the industrial heartland of Hitler's war machine using the ingenious "bouncing bombs" developed by Barnes Wallis.

Of the 133 airmen who took off in Lancaster bombers on the night of 16/17 May 1943, 53 never returned.

'Johnny' Johnson attended, I believe, four Autographica events and was an enormously popular guest. I remember one dinner when the guests were name-checked and each of the Apollo astronaut guests received loud applause. When Johnny's name was called and he rose to his feet, the thunderous applause probably shook the rafters of the hotel.

What I remember most about Johnny was how modest and unassuming he was. He was proud of his squadron's contribution to the war-effort (on the raid on the dams and many other missions) but said that he was one of many who just did the job they had signed up for. He clearly enjoyed talking to the Apollo astronauts and, when called upon, proved to be a fine speaker who held the audience in the palm of his hand. The attached photograph was taken in 2013. Two years later when I showed it to Johnny he was delighted to sign it, inevitably adding "Cheers!" Even well into his 90s he enjoyed the company, the food and several glasses of red wine.

The expression "we shall not see his like again" is over-used, but in 'Johnny' Johnson's case it certainly applies. We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to those of his generation who fought for the better future that we enjoy.

Per Ardua ad Astra.

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