Film Collection Online: Flying with a Dambuster

The Australian War Memorial has been screening a selection of Second World War films as part of its Summer Film Series. On Sunday 2 February the classic film ‘The Dam Busters’ was screened.

To support the introduction last Sunday this brief showreel was put together by the Film and Sound section drawing upon items in the collection which relate to the Dambuster raid and lancaster bombers in general.

Included in the showreel are extracts from an oral history interview given by Squadron Leader Tony Burcher, a rear gunner on the Dambuster raid, providing insight into the lead up to and his experience of the action. The footage included from the collection shows lancaster bombers before and during missions as well as the servicemen who maintained and flew in them and finishes with scenes of King George visiting 617 squadron after the raid.

We hope you enjoy the showreel and encourage you to come and see the remaining three films in this year’s Summer Series;

Das Boot – Sunday 9 February

Saving Private Ryan – Sunday 16 February                                                                                                                 

Life is Beautiful – Sunday 23 February

Please enjoy exploring, researching and, most importantly, viewing our collection.

Links to collection items used in the show reel --

S01656, F01598, F01575, F02613, F02547, F01372, F04790, F02243, F02562, F02602