The unsung Dambusters heroes from a small Durham mining village

ON Sunday May16, 1943, 19 of the RAF’s elite aircrews set off to destroy the dams essential to the water supply for Nazi-Germany’s armaments industry.

Although planned for some time, the operation, codenamed “Chastise” was put together very quickly. Most of the airmen and many of the support team were hand-picked by the CO, Wing Commander Guy Gibson; this included the squadron’s armaments officer Pilot Officer Henry Watson.

Born in the mining Durham village of Fishburn, Henry ‘Doc’ Watson known as Harry did not want to join his brother down the pit. In 1930 he entered the RAF’s Technical Training School Halton, as an armament fitter; his first posting was to Catterick. Following spells in Iraq and Malta, prior the outbreak of war he returned to the UK; firstly to Thornaby then to 83 Squadron RAF Scampton.

Twice Mentioned in Dispatches, plus a steady rise through the ranks, he received an MBE in June 1942. The citation read: "This Warrant Officer has been in charge of the Armament Section since February 1941. It has been due to his untiring efforts that operations have never been delayed despite short notice of bombing up or last minute changes of bomb load.

“During recent weeks when the squadron has been re-equipping from Hampdens and Manchester, in spite of bad weather conditions and grave shortage of equipment he has always managed to have the aircraft ready in time for take-off. He has at all times set an outstanding example of keenness and efficiency.

“On a recent occasion when an aircraft crashed on the aerodrome, he was immediately on the spot and rendered great assistance to the Station Armament Officer by rendering the bombs safe without regard to his personal safety.”

Typically, a modest man, Harry told his family he got the award for playing football. Commissioned in early 1943, Pilot Officer Watson already had a rock-solid reputation within Bomber Command and was posted to the newly-formed 617 Squadron, also based at Scampton. This was a ‘hush-hush’ unit with all but the very top brass being kept in the dark on their exact role, however Harry soon discovered the daunting nature of the task being undertaken.

A scientist named Barnes Wallis had proposed attacking several dams in the Ruhr Valley but needed a brand-new weapon to successfully breach their solid concrete structures. A ‘bouncing bomb’, was being tested under very strict security and Harry was dispatched to RAF Manston in Kent to assist at the trials. Whilst there he was given full details of the weapon and the dams.

On his return Wing Commander Guy Gibson, one of the few privy to details of the operation summoned him into his office. Perturbed by what he heard, the CO was rather unjustly tore him off a strip, urging the utmost secrecy. In a handwritten memo Gibson wrote: “P/O Watson, an armament officer in this squadron, thus knows more about this operation than either of my Flight Commanders and at the time, more than I did myself.”

On Lancaster squadrons, armourers saw bomb releases worked correctly; tested the gun turrets, cleaned the machine guns, ensured bombs were correctly housed and fused, and checked safety devices were in position. The NCO in charge would inspect the aircraft, confirming readiness to fly, reporting to the Squadron Armourer-Harry Watson.

At 617 Squadron, the armourers had specific duties relating to the Upkeep mines; the bouncing bombs official name. Each contained 6,600 lbs of the specialist underwater explosive Torpex and weighed-in at 4 tons. As each mine was delivered to Scampton, it was taken to a separate bomb store, away from inquisitive airmen.

With the raid scheduled for Sunday May 16, the 19 specially-adapted Lancasters, were loaded with bombs. On one aircraft the bomb’s release catch was accidentally knocked and it thumped down onto the tarmac. The shocked pilot FL Martin hurriedly brought Harry who calmly inspected the scene and declared the mine safe. Martin reached the Mohne Dam successfully exploding his bomb on target; although it took four strikes to break the dam. The second wave of Lancasters also breached the Eder Dam.

Heralded as a major success, the operation provided a much-needed boost to the war-weary public at a time when its outcome was still very much in doubt. It did however come at a cost: out of 133 men who set out, 53 were killed and 3 taken prisoner; 1294 civilians also drowned, many were forced workers and prisoners of war.

After the raid, Harry Watson took part in the official celebrations; during the royal visit to Scampton on May 27 1943 along with the other technical officers he was presented to the King. He remained with 617 Squadron until December 1943, but was then posted to India, as a Flight Lieutenant.

Leaving the RAF after the war Harry returned to Teesside where the village of Fishburn had set up a “Welcome Home Fund”, giving every returning serviceman, £5. Obtaining employment with Ashmore Benson & Pease of Stockton-on-Tees as a fitter and turner, the shopfloor would have been quite a contrast from life in the officers’ mess. Within 10 years he became manager.

In 1955 when the Dambusters film came to Stockton, Harry took his family and friends to the Odeon having paid for seats in the circle. Shortly before the lights went down he was approached by the manager and was asked to move to accommodate some air cadets. Diplomatically, his view was there were some inaccuracies in the script but felt he was still covered by the Official Secrets Act, so didn’t want to say too much.

The family left Teesside in 1965 for Ipswich with Harry becoming the MD of a larger company and established an apprentice training school. The family still has one of the ‘keys’ which were used before the raid to stop the Upkeep mines being prematurely detonated; Harry retained one as a souvenir. It is believed there are only two others in existence.

Henry Watson died on February 22, 1995.