On 26 February 1943, the Royal Air Force’s most daring operation of the Second World War, ‘Operation Chastise’ was given final approval by the Air Ministry. This later became known as the legendary ‘Dam Busters Raid’.

On 17 May 2018 ‘The Dam Busters with Dan Snow’. will commemorate the iconic raid itself – 75 years to the day. Dan Snow will reflect on the work of the mastermind behind the operation, Sir Barnes Wallis, whose ‘bouncing bomb’ was carried by 19 Lancasters for the attack on the dams of Germany’s Ruhr valley. The event will also pay tribute to Wing Commander Guy Gibson and his comrades of 617 Squadron.

The first half of the evening will be simulcast to cinemas nationwide between 7.15pm and 8.15pm, before a screening of the The Dam Busters starring Sir Michael Redgrave and Richard Todd in stunning 4K.

The first half of the evening will see families of crew members, including those of Guy Gibson, remember the raid’s legacy while a large screen will show never before seen images of the Dam Busters and unreleased memoirs from the film’s director, Michael Anderson. An on-stage ‘bouncing bomb’ experiment will show how Sir Barnes Wallis realised his invention and music from the Glenn Miller Orchestra will transport audiences back in time while honouring those who perished on both sides of the war.

At the Royal Albert Hall, the film will be shown on a huge 40ft screen.Find tickets

The event supports the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, the RAF’s leading welfare charity.