The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)

Marker removed at grave of famed RAF dog

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The headstone of a grave to the Dam Busters’ dog – whose name is a racial slur – has been altered.

The 617 Squadron, based at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshi­re, undertook a low-level night attack on German dams in 1943, probably the most famous raid in the history of the force.

Wing Commander Guy Gibson used his dog’s name as a code word to say the dam has been breached, with the Labrador Retriever dying that night.

The headstone at Scampton with the dog’s name, N ***** , has been removed, while film versions of The Dam Busters have edited out

“A tricky matter to which there are no simple or easy solutions”

the name or called him Trigger instead.

A source at the RAF said the gravestone will be stored in a safe location while the Air Historical Branch considers its next steps.

It is understood that the RAF’s review of its historical assets is continuing and further changes may be made as work progresses.

Former Tory minister Sir Edward Leigh, whose constituen­cy includes Scampton, wrote to the RAF station commander saying: “It is perfectly understand­able that this is a tricky matter to which there are no simple or easy solutions.

“I am, however, very fearful of our ability today to erase or rewrite history.

“The past needs to be explained, taught about, and learned from – not rewritten.”

A spokesman for the RAF said: “The new gravestone tells the story of Guy Gibson’s dog, but its name has been removed.”

It is understood the decision was in order not to give prominence to a term that goes against the modern RAF’s ethos.

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