Dambusters memorial is 'defaced'

Lancaster bombers were used in the Dambusters raids

A memorial to the Dambusters squadron has been pelted with flour and eggs in a vandalism attack in the days leading up to Remembrance Sunday.

Residents in Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire say they are "disgusted" by vandals who defaced the memorial to 617 Squadron.

Some villagers want to have extra lighting and CCTV installed to deter further attacks.

Stuart Adams, community beat officer, said the attack on the war memorial was "a despicable act".

Dams bombed

He said that obscene images were also drawn on the village cricket pitch with white paint.

The memorial was also the target of vandals who tipped rubbish bins over it at the weekend.

Parish council chairwoman Audrey Pestell said: "I was very unhappy when I saw the damage - it is a memorial to the young men and women who sacrificed their lives."

She said better lighting will be installed and some shrubs will be cut down to open up the Royal Square.

The Dambusters squadron was formed with the aim of breaching dams in the Ruhr area of Germany that provided vital power to key German industrial centres.

The daring operation on the night of 16 May 1943 successfully targeted the Moehne and Eder dams but two other attacks on the Sorpe and Schwelme failed.

Eight aircraft and 53 crew were lost during the night raid.