08-12-22, 08:41
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World War Two HERO DAMBUSTER Dies at 101yrs
Dambuster Johnny Johnson Dies Aged 101
The last survivor of the World War Two Dambusters has died at the age of 101.
BBC News 8 DEC 2022.
"Johnny" Johnson was presented with an MBE by The Queen in 2017
Sq Ldr George "Johnny" Johnson, was a bomb-aimer in the 617 Squadron, which destroyed key dams in Germany's industrial heartland during World War Two.
Sgt George Johnson (extreme left) was part of 617 Squadron based at Scampton, Lincolnshire
617 Squadron (Dambusters) At Scampton, Lincolnshire, 22 July 1943, crew of Lancaster ED285/`AJ-T
His family said he died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday.
Celebrating his 100th birthday in November last year, he told the BBC: "I've had a very lucky life in every respect."
Mr Johnson, who was born in Lincolnshire and lived in Bristol, was just 21 when he took part in the 1943 operation, which involved experimental bouncing bombs that were targeted at dams in the Ruhr Valley, releasing huge quantities of water into areas used by Germany for war production.
He added, "It was an exhilarating experience" and felt "honoured to have had the chance to take part".
After the war, Mr Johnson worked as a teacher
Mr Johnson was made an MBE in 2017 after a long-running campaign which was supported by celebrities such as TV presenter Carol Vorderman.
He will leave behind his wife Gwynn Johnson, three children, eight grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.
Posting to Facebook, his granddaughter Jenny Sextone said his family were beside her "beloved Gramps", at the time of his death.
"We would appreciate your respect for our privacy in this family time," she added.
It was his job to target the Sorpe Dam as part of the attack, which was codenamed Operation Chastise and carried out by the RAF's 617 Squadron, based at RAF Scampton.
It was one of the most dangerous air operations of the war, with 53 men killed and three captured.
In 2019, Mr Johnson had a tour of the cab of the Great Western Railway train named after him
In the last few years of his life he took part in many public appearances and charity work
In 2019 Mr Johnson, who now lives in Westbury-on-Trym in north Bristol, had an inter-city train named after him and was also given an honorary doctorate by the University of Lincoln in 2017.
After World War Two he worked as a teacher in Newark in Nottinghamshire.
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