Les Munro

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Les Munro

King George VI speaking to Flight Lieutenant Les Munro
Allegiance Flag of the United Kingdom United Kingdom
Service/branch Flag of the Royal Air Force Royal Air Force
Rank Squadron Leader
Battles/wars World War II
Awards DSO DFC

Squadron Leader Les Munro, CNZM, DSO, QSO, DFC, JP, is the last surviving pilot of the Dambusters Raid of May 1943[1]. Munro was posted from 97 squadron to 617 squadron which was specially created to attack the dams of the Ruhr in an effort to wreck the industrial capacity of Germany during the war. Of the nineteen Lancasters that flew on that full-moon night, only eleven came back. Munro, as pilot of W-Willie, was scheduled to bomb the Sorpe dam. His bomber was damaged by flak over Holland[2] which knocked out the radio, and after a vote among the crew it turned back to land back home in Lincolnshire. During the war he won the DSO and DFC and later attained the rank of Squadron Leader[3]. He participated in the operations to deceive the Germans about the destination of the D Day landings by dropping aluminium strips of window every four and half seconds throughout long patrols over the English Channel [4].

Les is a proud New Zealander, still living in Tauranga. Following his career in the military, Munro retired to a life in local politics and farming.

Munro attended the 60th Anniversary commemoration of the Dambusters raid, along with the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh in May 2003 at RAF Lossiemouth [5].

He was also present, along with Richard Todd, the actor who played Wing Commander Guy Gibson in The Dam Busters movie, for the 65th anniversary commemoration held at Derwent Water on 16th May 2008.

He has a street named in his honour in his native New Zealand. [6]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Palmer, Rebecca; Watson, Mike (2006-9-02). Dambuster has faith in Jackson. The Dominion Post. Retrieved on 2007-09-28.
  2. ^ The Associated Press (September 1, 2006). Oscar-winning director Peter Jackson must get it right with WWII bombing remake: pilot. International Herald Tribune (Asia-Pacific). Retrieved on 2007-09-28.
  3. ^ Lindy Andrews (May 16, 2006). FEATURE: Day of the damned. Hawkes Bay Today. Retrieved on 2007-09-28.
  4. ^ http://www.ambafrance-nz.org/article.php3?id_article=829
  5. ^ BBC NEWS | UK | Scotland | Queen attends Dambusters tribute
  6. ^ Street map of LES MUNRO PLACE TE KUITI WAITOMO DISTRICT, New Zealand - Yellow Maps
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