Dambusters2012 - the ride starts 23.15pm Tuesday!

Final countdown begins now - get the bike ready, documents in place, chain lubed ....

Dambusters2012 set off on the charity motorcycle ride this coming week, re-tracing the steps of the Dambusters Raid of 16th/17th May 1943 when Wg Cdr Guy Gibson led 19 Lancasters on what is probably the most famous bombing raid made by the RAF in WW2!

Simon's bike has been lettered up as AJ-J, the Lancaster flown by Sqn Ldr David Maltby DSO on the Dams Raid by the current 617 sqdn team as this is the Lanc' whose Navigation Log has provided the route we will follow. Sqn Ldr Maltby sadly did not survive the war but he was the Lancaster pilot whose aircraft dropped the bouncing bomb that finally achieved the full breach of the Mohne Dam, primary target of the raid.

The ride is not a triumphant statement, but is a commemoration of all who lost their life as a result of the raid on both sides. Losses for 617 Sqdn were very heavy indeed with 8 out of the 19 Lancasters failing to return at a cost of 53 brave young lives. In Germany, the damage caused by the flood created by the Dams Raid was enormous and their was significant loss of life. All these losses will be remembered by the Dambusters2012 team as they watch the waters of the Mohne at the very time 69 years ago that Lancaster AJ-J swept in over the water to deliver its bouncing bomb.

It is vital that the charity ride raises a shedload of cash for Help for Heroes. Again today we have the terrible news of two more deaths of our brave servicemen and women in Afghanistan. What this does not tell you is that there are 10 'seriously wounded' for every death - and it is those wounded that Help for Heroes exists to support! Please, please go to www.bmycharity/dambusters2012 and donate something to show you care and support for what these brave people do day after day. Thank you.