Last surviving Dambuster Johnny Johnson - who was onboard Lancaster bomber when it flew over Derbyshire - dies aged 101

Squadron Leader George 'Johnny' Johnson MBE - the last surviving member of the Dambusters raids – has died aged 101.
By Julia Rodgerson
Published 8th Dec 2022, 11:56 BST
Updated 8th Dec 2022, 12:47 BST
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Just weeks after celebrating his 101st birthday, his family said he died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday.

He was the last surviving original member of the Dambusters, members of the RAF's 617 Squadron who were assembled to bomb three dams in Germany's Ruhr Valley on the night of 16-17 May 1943 – also known as Operation Chastise.

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Johnny was also on board the Second World War bomber as it soared over the Derwent dam in the Peak District in 2018 to mark the 75th anniversary of the famous raids.

Sqn Leader Johnny Johnson - the last of the Dambusters. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at the age of 101. George Leonard “Johnny” Johnson was born on the 25th of November 1921 and joined the Royal Air Force in 1940. In 1943 he was selected to be part of 617 Squadron at RAF Scampton and to take part in Operation Chastise, more commonly known as the Dambuster Raids.Sqn Leader Johnny Johnson - the last of the Dambusters. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at the age of 101. George Leonard “Johnny” Johnson was born on the 25th of November 1921 and joined the Royal Air Force in 1940. In 1943 he was selected to be part of 617 Squadron at RAF Scampton and to take part in Operation Chastise, more commonly known as the Dambuster Raids.
Sqn Leader Johnny Johnson - the last of the Dambusters. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at the age of 101. George Leonard “Johnny” Johnson was born on the 25th of November 1921 and joined the Royal Air Force in 1940. In 1943 he was selected to be part of 617 Squadron at RAF Scampton and to take part in Operation Chastise, more commonly known as the Dambuster Raids.

He said at the time: "Over the Derwent Dam, the time was gone - just like that. I was back there, thinking about the times that we went there."

Next year marks 80 years since the raid, in which the revolutionary bouncing bomb, the brainchild of engineer Barnes Wallis, was dropped at low level on Germany’s industrial heartland in the Ruhr Valley.

A statement by the 617617 Squadron Association said: “It is with great sadness we share that George Leonard ('Johnny') Johnson passed away yesterday, 7 December 2022, at the age of 101. Johnny was the last surviving original member of 617 Squadron and of Operation Chastise, the "Dambusters" raid of 1943. He was the bomb aimer in the seven man crew of a Lancaster aircraft, piloted by Flt Lt Joe McCarthy.

“From all of us at 617 Squadron Association, we extend our deepest condolences to Johnny's family and friends.”

Related topics:LancasterDambusterDerbyshireMBEBarnes Wallis