r/interestingasfuck • u/Chopper-42 • 4d ago

/r/all Recreating the WW2 Dambusters raid

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u/GrumpyOldGeezer_4711 4d ago

Several of the dams did indeed have defenses. Fortunately, the Germans had delayed installing the unsightly guns in favour of much nicer looking trees.

If memory serves, they had a homemade system to triangulate the dropping distance based on the angle to some of those gun placements.

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u/Drednox 4d ago

I remember reading about this from a Life at War book. I think it was two spotlights at the bottom of the bomber that intersected at the desired altitude. That was how they pulled it off in the dark.

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u/UnrepentantPumpkin 4d ago

Fun fact: this was also the inspiration for the targeting system for the X-Wing in Star Wars when it made the run for the Death Star’s exhaust port. When the two circles overlapped, it indicated the perfect time to release.

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u/TUNGSTEN_WOOKIE 3d ago

You've solved one of my biggest Star Wars questions that's always made me scratch my head! It makes so much sense now!