The Dam Busters (1955)

Ronald Wilson: Flight Lieutenant D. J. Shannon, D.S.O., D.F.C. (later Squadron Leader)

Photos 

Quotes 

• Gibson : Sir, have a drink to celebrate. We've done the trick!

  Group Capt. Whitworth : What trick?

  Gibson : Flying at 150 feet. No need for altimeters. No need for anything else.

  Group Capt. Whitworth : Well, how's that?

  Gibson : Why, SIMPLE! A couple of spotlamps. One in the nose and the other in the belly. Trained to shine down and meet together at 150 feet below the aircraft.

  Flight Lt. J.V. Hopgood, DFC : All you've got to do is watch through the cockpit blister and keep the two spots plumb together on the ground, or the water, and there you are at 150 feet. Accurate to an inch!

  Group Capt. Whitworth : Yeah, but that would mean carrying lights right into the attack!

  Flight Lt. H.B. Martin, DSO, DFC, AFC : Well, that's better than finishing up in the drink.

  Group Capt. Whitworth : That's wonderful! How did you think of it?

  Gibson : Oh genius, pure genius. We gave the idea to Farnborough and they did the rest.

  Flight Lt. D.J. Shannon, DSO, DFC : Still need a bombsight that'll work at low level.

  Flight Lt. D.J.H. Maltby, DSO, DFC : And when are we going to get the real bombs.

  Gibson : [Takes Whitworth aside]  You know it's getting on these fellows' nerves not knowing a damn thing about anything.

  Group Capt. Whitworth : I know. But the old boy's got new trials on Friday. You ought to go down again. He's pretty sure it'll work this time.

• Gibson : [Gibson calls around to the pilots as the attack starts]  "P for Popsie", are you there?

  Flight Lt. H.B. Martin, DSO, DFC, AFC : OK, Leader.

  Gibson : Hello, "M Mother" are you there?

  Flight Lt. J.V. Hopgood, DFC : I'm here, Leader

  Squadron Leader H.M. Young, DFC : Here, Leader.

  Flight Lt. D.J.H. Maltby, DSO, DFC : Here, Leader.

  Flight Lt. D.J. Shannon, DSO, DFC : Here, Leader

  Squadron Leader H.E. Maudslay, DFC : Here, Leader.

  Flying Officer L.G. Knight, DSO : Here, Leader.

  Gibson : Hello, all Cooler aircraft. I'm going in to attack. Stand by to come in in your order when I tell you.