IT’S the early 1930s and brothers David and Alan Horsfall are making their way across town to Holgate Grammar School.
They live at 24, Commercial Street with parents Robinson and Emma Horsfall. Both boys are very bright – passing their 11+ examination when the majority of grammar school places are for fee-paying pupils.
Their route to school is probably the most direct: through the old streets of the Barebones, north along Princess Street, left onto Pitt street, and then past the old Shaw Mills linen factory to school.
Many a time the brothers must have chatted about their hopes and dreams but I’m certain neither would consider that within 10 years, or so, they’d both be dead. Nor would they have guessed for one second that one of them would go down in military history.
At Holgate, the boys would certainly have had to cope with the strictest of school regimes and been given the dreaded task of learning Latin by rote. And it’s probable they were taught French by the Welsh legend, ‘Fiery’ Evans.
On leaving school in 1936, David joins the Royal Air Force as a boy entrant. This is a scheme where clever young men are prepared for various RAF occupations. David chooses to become a member of the ground crew.
Soon afterwards, his younger brother also leaves Holgate to join the same scheme but elects to train as an aviator.
In 1940 disaster strikes when, during a raid on Germany, Alan’s Hampden bomber crashes in Holland with all lives lost.
This dreadful tragedy must have broken the hearts of the Horsfall family and friends.
Two years later, David decides to abandon his RAF career on the ground and retrain as a Flight Engineer on heavy bombers. After only two successful missions, he volunteers to join the 617 Squadron on the top-secret ‘Operation Chastise’. Very little information is available to them but their training suggests it’s something to do with the bombing of dams. But it’s only immediately before the fatal day that they’re told they must burst Germany’s major dams and reduce the enemy’s war production.
In the weeks leading up to May 1943, at least 21 crews – each of seven men – undergo intensive training at RAF Scampton near Lincoln.
They practice flying in the dark, over the Derwent Reservoir in Derbyshire, at the ridiculously low altitude of between 60 and 100 feet. Such a ‘suicidal’ height is necessary to ensure the plane flies under German radar.
Attached to the Lancaster’s underside is a bomb, the shape of an oil drum, ingeniously designed by inventor, Barnes Wallis.
When released in combat, it will skip across the water, like a giant skimming pebble and explode on impact with the dam wall.
On Sunday evening, May 16 at 21.47, David Horsfall’s plane takes off, heading for the Mohne Dam.
As flight engineer, the young man from Barnsley sits in the cockpit for only his third ever flying mission! His job is to manage the aeroplane’s mechanical, hydraulic and electrical systems, particularly engine performance and fuel consumption.
All the aviators are aware they are attempting something completely new and that the risks are huge.
What possible thoughts are going through David’s head as they whiz eastwards just above the trees and roof tops?
David’s plane is the fourth to bomb the Mohne Dam. It makes a direct hit without completely breaching the tough stone structure. However, the next bomber smashes the weakened wall, releasing billions of gallons of water to reduce German arms production for three months and drowning 1600 people.
What relief David must have felt as his plane turns and heads for home. However, as they fly low over the coast of Holland, they’re hit by flack from a German battery.
The plane crashes into the North Sea with all seven lives lost. Of the 19 planes that set off, eight are shot down and 53 aviators die.
Tomorrow is the 83rd anniversary of the Dambusters’ raid and the life of David Horsfall will be honoured with the unveiling of a blue plaque. The ceremony will begin at 11 am at Shaw Lane Sports Club.
Moreover, although his brother Alan sacrificed himself on a less flamboyant mission, I’m certain he will also be remembered.
So congratulations to Holgate Old Boys, Ian Harley and Melvyn Lunn, for raising funds to honour this brave and historic Dambuster from just off Sheffield Road.
War is such a terrible thing.
