title: The Dam Busters: An Operational History of Barnes Wallis' Bombs
author:  Stephen Flower 
description: Stephen Flower is acknowledged as one of the experts on the Dambusters, not only on the raid on the Ruhr dams, but also the operational history of the squadron subsequent to the Dams raid. He tells the story of the many raids against the Tirpitz, sensitive targets in occupied Europe and of the development of the bombs themselves, of which the Grand Slam was the biggest non-nuclear bomb ever made. He lives in Middlesex.
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  [Contents](0671578723_toc.htm)
  
  # **Chapter 27**
  
  The demolition had been well-planned. So much was immediately obvious. Guided
  by Aide, Belisarius and Basil had emplaced the charges in the optimum
  locations to do the job.
  
  Across most of its width, the lower bank of the dam blew sidewise, clearing an
  instant path for the pent-up energy of the Euphrates. The great river, now
  released, literally burst into the new channel opened for it. Raging like a
  bull, the torrent charged down the long-dry Nehar Malka, scouring it deeper
  and wider as it went.
  
  But Belisarius was unable to appreciate the sight. As so often happens in
  life, practice subverted theory. The charges had been perfectly placed, true.
  And then, doubled beyond Aide's instructions; and then, doubled again.
  
  Aide had complained, of course. Had warned, cautioned, chastened, chastised;
  been driven, in fact, into its own crystalline version of a gibbering fit.
  
  To no avail.