Operation Chastise

European history

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Last updated

July 20, 2026

Quick Summary

Operation Chastise was a British air raid during World War II, specifically on the night of May 16-17, 1943. The Royal Air Force (RAF) Bomber Command, led by Sir Arthur Harris, targeted two dams in Germany's Ruhr Valley: the Möhne Dam and the Eder Dam. The objective was to breach these dams, causing catastrophic flooding that would cripple German industry and infrastructure in the region.1

The raid employed specially developed bouncing bombs to overcome the dams' defenses. While the operation was successful in breaching both dams, causing significant damage and disruption, it came at a considerable cost to the RAF, with several aircraft lost. This event was part of the broader strategic air offensive against Germany, which aimed to destroy war industries and undermine civilian morale through area bombing.12

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The Dam Busters
…for and the execution of Operation Chastise (May 16–17, 1943), in which a British air squadron used bouncing bombs to destroy hydroelectric dams that were vital to Germany’s production of war matériel.
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…for and the execution of Operation Chastise (May 16–17, 1943), in which a British air squadron used bouncing bombs to destroy hydroelectric dams that were vital to Germany’s production of war matériel.
Read More