Dambuster's Bouncing Bomb Found In Kent

Disposal experts were called to a beach in Kent after a section of a WW2 'Dambuster' bouncing bomb was found.

Lisa Clayton, a local business owner, spotted the bomb in Reculver on Wednesday morning:

"We were really surprised, we've been here 11 years and had never seen a bomb here before. It's only one end of it but it's quite big (...) There have been other little mine-type things on the beach before, but nothing like this"

The 'Dambusters' raid in May 1943 is considered one of the most memorable British victories in history.

Reculver Beach was used as a testing ground in the build up to Operation Chastise, a daring raid against German Ruhr dams.

The dams were heavily fortified and needed the innovative bouncing bomb - which bounced on the water over torpedo nets and sank before detonating. 

Alan Porter, trustee of the Herne Bay seaside museum, said:

"It is the end section of a test Bouncing Bomb which was trailed prior to the Dambusters raid in World War Two. It is an Upkeep, which is a larger type than the complete one we have on display, with plenty of information, at the Seaside Museum." 

The raid was orchestrated by Wing Commander Guy Gibson and the RAF's 617 'Dambuster' Squadron, and Gibson is recognised as one of the war's most revered heroes. 

Picture courtesy of IWM FLM 2343