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 Humber Estuary in the north, down to Grantham in the south. Along the top of the Edge a series of airfields were developed, including RAF Waddington, RAF Cranwell and RAF Scampton. Upon opening IX(B) Squadron (9 Sqn) and 214 Squadron (214 Sqn) were the first residents of the station, arriving in October 1936, operating the Handley Page Heyford and Vickers Virginia. IX(B) Sqn stayed at Scampton until March 1938, 214 Sqn having departed for RAF Feltwell in April 1937. Another squadron which was stationed at the base was 148 Squadron (148 Sqn) formed from C Flt of IX(B) Sqn operating