During the construction of the Caban Coch dam, a smaller dam was built across a tributary called Nant-y-Gro. This dam was 180' long, 35' high and held back a million gallons of water.
In July 1942 it was used to test Barnes Wallis' bouncing bomb theory. 280lb of explosive was detonated behind the dam producing a hole 60' wide and 25' deep.
The experiment was successful and the 'Upkeep' bouncing bomb went into production. It was used in Operation Chastise on the night of 16/17th May 1943, when 19 Lancaster bombers of 617 Squadron at RAF Scampton bombed the dams of the industrial heartland of the Ruhr Valley.
Eight aircraft were lost and 53 of the 133 crew were killed.
Information and film of the explosion can be found here: http://www.thedambusters.org.uk/nantygro.html
I had my lunchtime picnic here and it was still -10˚C at 12.30pm!
Sorry if you feel a bit chilly!
In July 1942 it was used to test Barnes Wallis' bouncing bomb theory. 280lb of explosive was detonated behind the dam producing a hole 60' wide and 25' deep.
The experiment was successful and the 'Upkeep' bouncing bomb went into production. It was used in Operation Chastise on the night of 16/17th May 1943, when 19 Lancaster bombers of 617 Squadron at RAF Scampton bombed the dams of the industrial heartland of the Ruhr Valley.
Eight aircraft were lost and 53 of the 133 crew were killed.
Information and film of the explosion can be found here: http://www.thedambusters.org.uk/nantygro.html
I had my lunchtime picnic here and it was still -10˚C at 12.30pm!
Sorry if you feel a bit chilly!
