Historical accuracy The Dam Busters (film)

a bomb aimer prepares drop bouncing bomb using improvised device determine correct distance dam.

the film largely historically accurate, small number of changes made reasons of dramatic licence. errors derive paul brickhill s book, written when detail raid not yet in public domain.

barnes wallis said never encountered opposition bureaucracy. in film, when reluctant official asks can possibly raf persuade them lend vickers wellington bomber flight testing bomb, wallis suggests: well, if told them designed it, think might help? barnes wallis heavily involved design of wellington, used geodesic construction method, not chief designer.
instead of of gibson s tour-expired crew @ 106 squadron volunteering follow him new command, wireless operator, hutchinson, went him 617 squadron.
rather purpose method of raid being wallis sole idea, dams had been identified important target air ministry before war.
gibson did not devise spotlights altimeter after visiting theatre; suggested benjamin lockspeiser of ministry of aircraft production after gibson requested solve problem. proven method used raf coastal command aircraft time.

the theatre scene showing spotlights filmed @ lyric theatre hammersmith. there no reference dancers in films credits. bbc television toppers on loan 1 day filming, under contract bbc.

the wooden coat hanger bomb sight intended enable crews release weapon @ right distance target not wholly successful; crews used it, others came own solutions, such pieces of string in bomb-aimer s position and/or markings on blister.
no bomber flew hillside near target on actual raid. scene, not in original version, included in copy released on north american market (see above). 3 bombers brought down enemy fire , 2 crashed due hitting power lines in valleys.
some of sequences showing testing of upkeep in film of mosquito fighter-bombers dropping naval version of bouncing bomb, code-named highball, intended used against ships. version of weapon never used operationally.
at time film made, aspects of upkeep still held classified, actual test footage censored hide details of test bombs (a black dot superimposed on bomb on each frame), , dummy bombs carried lancasters spherical flat sides rather true cylindrical shape.
the dummy bomb did not show mechanism created spin.
ammunition shown being loaded lancaster .50 caliber m2 browning heavy machine guns, not .303 calibre machine guns found on lancaster in 1943.
the scenes of attack on eder dam show castle resembling schloss waldeck on wrong side of lake , dam. position , angle of lake in relation castle suggest in reality bombing-run have needed downhill approach west of castle.
wallis states idea came nelson s bouncing cannonballs sides of enemy ships. (he states nelson sank 1 ship during battle of nile yorker, cricket term ball bounces under bat, making difficult play.) there no evidence claim. in 1942 paper, wallis mentioned bouncing of cannonballs in 16th , 17th centuries, nelson not mentioned.

in film wallis (redgrave) tells gibson , young technical problem has been solved engineers had correct oil in store. false there mechanical problem release gear solved sgt charles sackville-bryant awarded bem this.