American Dambuster By Nicolas Trudgian

New Yorker, Joe McCarthy, was the only American to take part in the momentous 617 Squadron Dambuster raid, which took place on the night of 16th/17th May 1943. Piloting Lancaster AJ-T, he attacked the earth-built Sorpe Dam. Despite the bravest and most remarkable flying, for which McCarthy was awarded the DSO and his Bombardier, George ‘Johnny’ Johnson the DFM, the Sorpe dam remained intact.

Earlier that night, Guy Gibson had led the force which successfully attacked the Mohne Dam, the largest of the Dambusters’ targets and hearing that the Mohne had been breached, McCarthy flew over the scene to evaluate the damage inflicted.

Completing their observations, McCarthy headed the Lancaster home at very low altitude in order to avoid interception by enemy fighter aircraft. However, they still attracted unwanted attention from anti-aircraft batteries and ‘AJ-T’ landed back at Scampton riddled with shell holes.

Standard edition limited to 180 worldwide
Signed by George L Johnson DFM bomber Aimer on AJ-T