A historic map related to the famed Dambusters mission of World War Two is due to be auctioned. This event is highly significant and decidedly poignant to Lincolnshire, considering the map was utilised by Lancaster bomber crews in the renowned Operation Chastise of May 1943. For this mission, Barnes Wallis’s groundbreaking bouncing bomb was employed to ravage dams in Germany’s Ruhr valley. Lincolnshire is home to RAF Scampton, the station from which the 617 Squadron, under the leadership of Wing Commander Guy Gibson, embarked on their courageous raid.
Retired aviation engineer and WW2 specialist, David Lilley, previously owned this map. It is one of four Bomber Command maps that Hansons Auctioneers will put up for auction. This event underscores Lincolnshire’s indispensable involvement in RAF and Dambusters history, as the county was an essential training and operation arena for the squadron.
During the war, Bomber Command’s presence in Lincolnshire was substantial, with several airfields in the region, including RAF Scampton, contributing significantly to the air campaigns. The auctioning of this map serves as a powerful reminder of the brave and advanced endeavours of the Lincolnshire-based personnel in the war period.
The map, with an estimated price range of £750 to £1,000, will be sold along with other military memorabilia. Its sale is anticipated to draw significant attention from collectors and history aficionados, particularly those with ties to Lincolnshire’s laudable aviation history.
This report was originally covered by www.bbc.com and has been adapted for The Lincoln Post.
