A group of RAF cyclists are riding to a memorial site in the Netherlands in honour of an aircrew that were killed during the Dambusters raids.
The team from RAF Digby in Lincolnshire are cycling nearly 300 miles from the International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) to Castricum aan Zee on the Dutch coastline.
The charity, dedicated to preserving the memory of Bomber Command, organised the memorial ride with the RAF to mark the Dambusters anniversary.
On May 16, 1943, 19 Lancaster bomber crews from 617 Squadron flew to Germany attacking the industrial heartlands of the Ruhr Valley.
A group of RAF cyclists are riding to a memorial site in Netherlands in honour of an aircrew that were killed during the Dambusters raids
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Despite being the first to successfully breach the Mohne Dam, Sqn Ldr Henry “Dinghy” Young’s crew were shot down just moments from safety.
Leading the cyclists, Wing Cdr Neil Hallet, Station Commander of RAF Digby, said: “We’re going to take a group of novice cyclists all the way, some of them don’t even have their own bikes.
“It’s really important that we keep the story alive. Our heritage is really important to us.”
On the journey, the team are stopping at locations important to the Dambusters story including RAF Scampton and Lincoln cathedral.
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The journey to Castricum aan Zee on the Dutch coastline is around 300 miles
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Before serving in the RAF, Mel represented England at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002.
She said: “I think I'm gonna bring a bit of experience, to look after and coach some of our team through, because they’ve got the massive challenge.
“Some have never ridden a bike with skinny wheels before, but we will get through this like we always do.
“It might rain but we’ll have a good time and get to the destination in northern Holland. It will be quite emotional,” she said.
On the journey, the team are stopping at locations important to the Dambusters story including Lincoln cathedral
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Whilst a successful attack, breaching the Mohne and Eder Dams, plus damaging the Sorpe, of the 133 men who took part, 53 sacrificed their lives.
A set of metal silhouettes of Dinghy's crew are being taken with the team to the beach where the aircrew’s bodies washed ashore.
A memorial service including family members of the Dambusters men is taking place on 16th May marking the 81st anniversary.
Chief Executive of the IBCC, Nicky van der Drift, said: “It’ll be a very emotional service.”
The ride will honour the Dambusters Air Crew for their sacrifice
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“They paid the ultimate sacrifice. They were only 200 yards from safety when they were shot down. It’s a terribly sad story.”
Dinghy earned his nickname after surviving two plane crashes at sea before the Dambuster raids.
Dinghy Young’s nephew Geoffrey Sturr, said: “This is such a fitting way to remember my uncle and his flight crew, who served with extraordinary courage, determination, and strength on the arduous mission in which their lives were lost.”
Upon returning, the silhouettes will be auctioned to raise funds for a new learning centre at the IBCC.
