Dambusters collection could sell for £10,000

A large private collection of memorabilia commemorating Wing Cdr Guy Gibson - who led the famous Dambusters raid during World War Two - is to be auctioned.

The collection, which was previously on display at the RAF Scampton Heritage Centre in Lincolnshire, contains 54 lots, including a pair of cloth wings removed from Gibson's uniform.

The auction is taking place at Gildings Auctioneers in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, on 7 January, with the items expected to fetch up to £10,000.

The collection was amassed by Derrick Warren, a Coventry-based press photographer who died in 2022, aged 81.

Other highlights include a facsimile copy of Gibson's logbook, which features an autograph from Arthur 'Bomber' Harris who led RAF Bomber Command during the war.

There is also a childhood letter addressed to "Dear Granny" and a photograph of a Lancaster bomber signed by Barnes Wallis, the engineer who designed the "bouncing bomb".

Mark Gilding, director at Gildings Auctioneers, said: "It's very rare to find items directly owned by Gibson such as the cloth wings, so this is an unmissable opportunity for collectors.

"While Derrick was undoubtedly one of the most dedicated Dambusters aficionados out there, he was far from alone in his fascination.

"As a result, we're expecting a great deal of interest," he added.

Wing Cdr Gibson commanded 617 Squadron, a force of Lancaster bombers specially formed at RAF Scampton to attack dams in Germany's Ruhr Valley.

The raid, known as Operation Chastise, was launched on the nights of 16 and 17 May 1943, using bouncing bombs designed by Barnes Wallis.

Eight of the 19 bombers involved were shot down and 53 airmen were killed.

Two dams, the Mohne and Eder, were destroyed. Many of the people killed were civilians.

A 1955 film secured its place as one of the most famous episodes of World War Two.

Gibson, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his part in the operation, was killed when his plane crashed on its way back from another mission in Germany the following year.

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