The Dambusters and the Nanaimo Connection

 At our November 18, 2021 Nanaimo Historical Society meeting, Brian McFadden , long time volunteer and  Vice President of the Nanaimo Military Museum, gave a thoroughly researched and fascinating account of ‘The Dambusters and the Nanaimo Connection’. The Nanaimo connection was John Fraser, one of 133 members of the special #617 Squadron whose May 1943 mission was to blow up 3 hydroelectric dams in Germany’s Ruhr valley by flying at very low altitudes. The death toll was high (53 dead and 3 missing) and the downed crew, including John Fraser, were captured and spent the remaining war years in POW camps. This endeavour was featured in the 1955 British film, The Dambusters.

watch the YouTube video of Brian’s presentation here: