S/L Ken Brown, 617 Dambuster Squadron.

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[updated:LAST EDITED ON 06-01-03 AT 06:23 AM (GMT)]Squadron Leader Ken Brown.

Died late December 2002 in British Columbia aged 82.

Born in Canada and joined the RCAF in 1941.

S/L Brown was awarded the CGM, Conspicuous Gallentry Medal - generally regarded as the second only to the VC- after he captained a Lancaster in the Dambusters raid in 1943. His rank at this time was a Flight Sergeant.

Although not part of the main force to attack the dams he was part of Gibsons reserve force and was not briefed to attack the main targets.
S/L Brown attacked at low level, 150ft, three trains beneath him and was hit by ground fire.

A call from base ordered S/L Brown to attack the subsidiary target, the Sorpe dam.
As this target was covered in mist he had difficulty during the approach to line up on his bombing run. Eight times he circled before he could release his bomb and report back "goner".
Flying back to base he flew over the Moehne and Eder dams and noted two large breaches. He was also hit by flak on the flight home to base.

After the war he returned to Canada and flew with Canada's first jet aerobatic team. In 1949 he bought a surplus Spitfire.
He left the RCAF in 1968 with the rank of Squadron Leader.

Our sympathy to all of S/L Browns family.

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