r00fie1
Well-known member
Apologies, this is a few days late: belated happy 100th Birthday to Squadron Leader "Johnny" Johnson:
George 'Johnny' Johnson, at his home in Bristol in 2017 (Picture: PA Images/Alamy).
The last surviving British Dambuster from the daring Second World War raid has celebrated his 100th birthday.
Veteran Squadron Leader George 'Johnny' Johnson was a bomb-aimer during the 1943 attack on German dams.
At just 22, he was responsible for dropping specially-adapted bombs in Germany's Ruhr Valley, the country's industrial heartland.
The raid targeted the valley's dams, releasing huge quantities of water into areas used by Germany for war production.
Tributes have poured in to celebrate the Dambuster's birthday.
Former RAF Tornado navigator John Nichol, who came to the world's attention as a prisoner during the First Gulf War was eager to mention how "humble, delightful" and "generous" Mr Johnson is.
In a tweet, he said: "You could not hope to meet a more humble, delightful, generous man.
"He is of the generation who thought of others before themselves. Heroes all."
In 2017, Mr Johnson was made an MBE following a long-running campaign supported by celebrities including TV presenter Carol Vorderman, the honorary Group Captain Ambassador for the RAF Air Cadets.
In a tweet, she said: "A wonderful man who I met in Bristol (where we both live), we've had many parties and good times over the years. On behalf of Air Cadets we wish you a very Happy Birthday."
The crew of 617 Squadron. aka "Dam-busters"
We wish Johnny all the best
Last surviving British Dambuster celebrates 100th birthday
George 'Johnny' Johnson, at his home in Bristol in 2017 (Picture: PA Images/Alamy).
The last surviving British Dambuster from the daring Second World War raid has celebrated his 100th birthday.
Veteran Squadron Leader George 'Johnny' Johnson was a bomb-aimer during the 1943 attack on German dams.
At just 22, he was responsible for dropping specially-adapted bombs in Germany's Ruhr Valley, the country's industrial heartland.
The raid targeted the valley's dams, releasing huge quantities of water into areas used by Germany for war production.
Tributes have poured in to celebrate the Dambuster's birthday.
Former RAF Tornado navigator John Nichol, who came to the world's attention as a prisoner during the First Gulf War was eager to mention how "humble, delightful" and "generous" Mr Johnson is.
In a tweet, he said: "You could not hope to meet a more humble, delightful, generous man.
"He is of the generation who thought of others before themselves. Heroes all."
Happy 100th birthday Sqn Ldr George "Johnny" Johnson MBE DFM; the last surviving Dambuster @OC617Sqn@RoyalAirForce.
You could not hope to meet a more humble, delightful, generous man.
He is of the generation who thought of others before themselves. Heroes all. pic.twitter.com/aFFK9B2c8f
— John Nichol (@JohnNicholRAF) November 25, 2021
In 2017, Mr Johnson was made an MBE following a long-running campaign supported by celebrities including TV presenter Carol Vorderman, the honorary Group Captain Ambassador for the RAF Air Cadets.
In a tweet, she said: "A wonderful man who I met in Bristol (where we both live), we've had many parties and good times over the years. On behalf of Air Cadets we wish you a very Happy Birthday."
I'm going to print out all your messages to Johnny Johnson for his 100th birthday and take them to him later today.
So please feel free to wish him happy birthday here #HERO...our last surviving DAMBUSTER pic.twitter.com/p0EayEuCYV
— Carol Vorderman (@carolvorders) November 25, 2021
Happy 100th birthday to the senior member of #617Sqn Sqn Ldr George ‘Johnny’ Johnson MBE DFM. A #Dambuster hero and all round legend pic.twitter.com/dgUzEG3atR
— OC 617 Squadron (@OC617Sqn) November 25, 2021
Today, we’d like to wish Squadron Leader Johnny Johnson a very happy 100th birthday!
Johnny is the last surviving original member of Operation Chastise, also known as the Dambusters raid of 1943. pic.twitter.com/vQBL8GiaEF
— RAF Benevolent Fund (@RAFBF) November 25, 2021
Congratulations to the wonderful, generous gentleman and absolute hero, George ‘Johnny’ Johnson MBE DFM! Wishing you a memorable & marvellous th birthday and sending very best wishes to a national treasure! #hero#legend#dambuster#centenarianpic.twitter.com/RTFioQ2bPE
— Jonny Cracknell (@jonnycrackers82) November 25, 2021
Wishing George “Johnny” Johnson a very happy 100th birthday today
#Bristol is grateful for his more than 20 years of service in the RAF
We were all proud to see him deservedly awarded an MBE by Her Majesty the Queen in 2017 https://t.co/L2V5WXwQMn
— Marvin Rees (@MarvinJRees) November 25, 2021
The crew of 617 Squadron. aka "Dam-busters"
We wish Johnny all the best
Last edited: