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Commemoration of the Dambuster Raid in 1943, Held at the Grangemouth Spitfire Memorial

  • Submitted by: Michelle Thomson, Falkirk East, Scottish National Party.
  • Date lodged: Thursday, 18 May 2023
  • Motion reference: S6M-08969

That the Parliament recognises the 80th anniversary of the infamous Dambuster Raids; congratulates all those involved in the commemoration ceremony, held in Grangemouth; understands that the raids took place on 16 and 17 May 1943, involving an ambitious bombing mission, codenamed Operation Chastise, with the aim of destroying three dams in the Ruhr Valley, the industrial heartland of Germany; recognises that the Dambusters were all members of the 617 squadron of the Royal Air Force, led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson; notes that, while the mission was deemed a success, with two of the dams breached, 53 of the original 130 aircrew were killed in action; commends the Ancre Somme Association (ASA) Scotland Forces Charity for its planning and organisation of the commemoration ceremony in Grangemouth at the Spitfire Memorial on 13 May 2023, at which a narration of the history of both the Spitfire Memorial and the Dambuster Raid was held; notes that the commemoration also coincided with the 10th anniversary of the inauguration of Grangemouth’s Spitfire Memorial, and recognises the ASA for its work to commemorate this historical event, ensuring that what it sees as the efforts and sacrifices of such dedicated servicemen are never forgotten.


Supported by: Jeremy Balfour, Neil Bibby, Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett, Sharon Dowey, Jackie Dunbar, Pam Duncan-Glancy, Annabelle Ewing, Pam Gosal, Jamie Halcro Johnston, Emma Harper, Stephen Kerr, Bill Kidd, Ruth Maguire, Roz McCall, Liz Smith, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance, Sue Webber