Last Surviving Dambuster Johnny Johnson Dies

TV presenter Carol Vorderman has led tributes to the last survivor of the World War Two Dambusters who has died aged 101.

Sq Ldr George “Johnny” Johnson, was a bomb-aimer in the 617 Squadron, which destroyed key dams in Germany during the war.

His family said he died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday.

In 2017, Ms Vorderman led a campaign for Mr Johnson to receive a knighthood for his bravery during the operation.

Ms Vorderman described him as “one of the finest.”

Celebrating his 100th birthday in November last year, Mr Johnson told the BBC: “I’ve had a very lucky life in every respect.”

He was born in Lincolnshire and lived in Bristol, and was just 21 when he took part in the 1943 operation, which involved experimental bouncing bombs that were targeted at dams in the Ruhr Valley, releasing huge quantities of water into areas used by Germany for war production.

“It was an exhilarating experience,” he said of the raids, adding he felt “honoured to have had the chance to take part”.

Mr Johnson was made an MBE in 2017 after a long-running campaign supported by celebrities such as Ms Vorderman.