RAF Scampton originally referred to as "Squadron X", was formed at Scampton in order to carry out the proposed raid, codenamed Operation Chastise. More commonly referred to as the "Dambusters Raid", the raid would go down as the most famous and widely remembered in the history of the Royal Air Force. On the night of 16–17 May 1943, 617 Sqn despatched 19 Lancasters from Scampton. Led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, the main bulk of the squadron attacked the Sorpe, Eder and Möhne dams with an additional aircraft tasked to perform an attack on the Schwelm Dam. Both the Eder and Möhne
RAF Scampton by 2,500 invited guests, including several veterans of the raid as well as Leonard Cheshire VC and Richard Todd. 2013 Marking the 70th anniversary of the raid in 2013, the BBC again featured a programme from RAF Scampton, hosted by Dan Snow. Attended by Les Munro and ""Johnny"" Johnson, the telecast featured the Lancaster of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight as well as two Tornados of 617 Squadron. In addition there was also a broadcast by BBC Radio 2 of The Chris Evans Breakfast Show in which Evans conducted interviews with various station personnel and current members of 617