A series of special events will mark 75 years since a brave band of airmen took part in one of the most daring raids of the Second World War.
A flypast by a Lancaster Bomber over Derwent Dam, down the Derwent Valley and into Leicestershire is planned to be a showpiece of the Dambusters celebrations.
The RAF will decide on Wednesday whether it can go ahead.
A thoughtful note will be struck at the Bomber Command Memorial in London’s Green Park where 53 pairs of flying gloves will be laid out to represent the men who died.
A total of 133 aircrew left for the raid on board 19 Lancaster bombers from RAF Scampton, led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, but during the mission 53 men were killed and three were captured.
The 96-year-old, of Bristol, said the anniversary on Wednesday night and Thursday morning emphasises the importance of the raid and acts as a reminder for younger generations.
His crew was one of five selected to target the Sorpe dam, and had to fly along its length at as low an altitude as possible and drop the bomb in the centre.
Asked about the most significant thing he remembers from the night of the raids, he said: “It was an exhilarating feeling, flying low level into the Ruhr Valley in bright moonlight.
“Once we had recovered from the early disappointment of the target – the Sorpe didn’t require us to spin the bomb or use any of our practised techniques – the most significant memory was the sight of the burst Mohne dam as we flew home.”
