Watch more of our videos on Shots!
and live on Freeview channel 276

A service was held to remember Wakefield’s Dambuster heroes on the 80th anniversary of the daring Second World War raid.

Operation Chastise was an attack on German dams carried out on the night of 16/17 May 1943 by 617 Squadron RAF Bomber Command - more commonly known as the Dambusters’ Raid.

Three pilots from the city played a key role in the operation.

Speeches were made and wreaths laid to honour Operation Chastise airmen, Sergeant Wilfred Ibbotson, Flight Sergeant William Hatton and Pilot Officer Cyril Anderson on Saturday, May 20 at 10.45am at Wakefield War Memorial, beside County Hall.

Commemoration service at the cenotaph for three Wakefield RAF airmen who took part in the Dambuster raids in WW2. Picture Scott Merrylees

Wakefield Council Armed Forces Champion, Coun Steve Vickers, said: “It was wonderful to see so many people honouring the contribution of the three airmen from our

district, who bravely fought for the freedom of our nation in these crucial air raids.

“Eighty years on we owe so much to our armed forces, and it is right that we remembered the part our airmen played in one of the most momentous periods of World War II.”

Sqt Wilfred Ibbotson (Rear Gunner on ED887 AJ-A) was born in Netherton and was lost on the return flight from the Dams Raid, where they attacked the Mohne Dam, he along with the crew now rest in Bergen General Cemetery in Germany.

Flight Sgt William Hatton (Flight Engineer on ED906 AJ-J) born in Wakefield, attacked the Mohne Dam and returned safely, sadly losing his life on September 14 1943.

And Pilot Officer Cyril Anderson (Promoted to Pilot Officer 16 April 43 Gazetted June 43) (Pilot ED924 AJ-Y) born in Wakefield - Primary target Deimel Dam redirected to the Sorpe Dam, flak damage to rear guns making them unserviceable, with fog and mist on route at 3.15 and unable to pinpoint the Sorpe Dam they returned to Scampton with Upkeep still on board.

They returned to RAF Fiskerton and 49 Squadron and continued with operations until September 23 1943 on a raid to Mannheim, where on the return leg they were picked-up by night fighter, Lt Heinz Grimm using Schrager Musik the aircraft EA-D ED702 crashed near Offenbach an Der Queich with the loss of all the crew.

They all now rest in Rheinberg Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery.

Service held to remember Wakefield's World War II Dambuster heroes