The last surviving Dambuster, George Leonard âJohnnyâ Johnson, has died at the age of 101.
The war hero took part in RAF 617 Squadronâs historic âDambustersâ raid in 1943, destroying two major German dams using cutting-edge 'bouncing bombs'.
It was seen as a turning point in the war and was a triumph for British air forces.
Mr Johnson later said: âThe dam raids in the first place proved to Hitler that what he thought was impregnable was not.
âIt stopped the ammunition production, not for as long as we would have liked but enough to affect their position.
"They also had to move aircraft out of other key areas in the country."
He said that it had a massive impact on the morale of British people, adding to the belief that the war could soon be over.
Mr Johnson was awarded an MBE in the Queen's birthday honours in 2017.
It is understood he died peacefully at a care home in Westbury on Trym, Bristol, last night with his family at his side.
On the night of May 16 and 17, 1943, Wing Commander Guy Gibson led Mr Johnson and his fellow crew on an audacious bombing raid to destroy three dams in the Ruhr valley, the industrial heartland of Germany.
The dams were fiercely protected, with torpedo nets in the water to stop underwater attacks and anti-aircraft guns to defend them from aerial assaults.
But the 617 Squadron had a secret weapon - the âbouncing bombâ, which had been specifically developed with the mission in mind.
Mr Johnson was a bomb aimer during Operation Chastise, which was tasked with attacking German dams during the Second World War.
Around a third - 53 - of the RAF Bomber Command crew did not survive the raid, which saw the Mohne and Edersee dams breached.
It was later estimated that around 1,600 civilians died as a result of the attack.
Mr Johnson said after he retired: âHitler asked for it, he took enough of our men.â
After 22 years' service in the air force, Mr Johnson worked as a teacher, including at Rampton Secure Hospital, and later at another hospital for people with mental health problems.
He and his wife later moved to Devon, where he became a Conservative councillor.
Following the death of his wartime colleague Fred Sutherland in January 2019, Johnson became the last survivor of the original flying members of 617 Squadron.
TV presenter Carol Vorderman - who campaigned for Mr Johnson to be given a knighthood - said: "Our beloved Squadron Leader "Johnny" Johnson, our last surviving Dambuster, has died peacefully in his sleep.
"I feel honoured to have known you and called you a friend. You gave us all hope in humanity.
"My thoughts are with his family who loved him so much. Per ardua ad astra."
RAF veteran John Nichol, who also campaigned for Mr Johnson to be knighted, wrote: "Very sad to learn that the "Last Dambuster", Sqn Ldr Johnny Johnson, has died aged 101.
"His WW2 generation sacrificed so much, yet asked nothing in return.
"I was privileged to share many a bottle of his much-loved red wine.
"The nation has lost a true hero. Blue skies Sir."
