BBC Songs of Praise at RAF Scampton - Tony Cunnane's Life and Times

The programme presenter, Sally Magnussen, was positioned out on the taxiway close to the Air Traffic Control Tower. In the background of the shot looking towards Lincoln city, the aircraft hangar with Lima Tango's tail fin towering above it could be seen clearly. The Red Arrows were supposed to approach from the direction of Lincoln and roar at low level first overhead the hangar and then over Sally's head as she came to the end of her speech at exactly 6.16 and 30 seconds. As the programme went live on air and the Director gave her the cue through a hidden earpiece, she was supposed to start walking towards the camera and make her opening speech:

"Hello and welcome. These last few years have seen many anniversaries of events in the second World War. Some say these glorify war and we must never forget the awful toll of lost human lives. But there were also tales of extraordinary bravery and courage as men gave their lives for the defence of the country and its values, and it was here, 50 years ago to the day, that Lancasters of 617 Dam Busters Squadron took off on one of the most daring and ingenious raids of the second world war. Tonight many hundreds have gathered in the hangar behind me to remember all those who lost their lives on that night. Today, RAF Scampton is the home of the Red Arrows who, together with the Central Band of the RAF, welcome you to Scampton and salute the Dam Busters in their own special way."

Unfortunately, a very rare timing error meant that the Red Arrows were overhead exactly 60 seconds early, and they flew over the hangar and Sally during the opening announcement from the studio in London. I had assured the Producer, Christopher Mann, that the Red Arrows could time their arrival to an accuracy of plus or minus two seconds. He had not been impressed and had pre-recorded the Red Arrows' flypast  and Sally's opening speech at the Dress Rehearsal. He had the tape on a quick start machine ready to roll at exactly the right time.

Most of the 2500 people in the hangar had some connection either with Scampton or RAF Bomber Command during World War 2. All the surviving Dam Busters aircrew were there but, sadly, three had died in the months preceding the anniversary. Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Michael Beetham, President of the Bomber Command Association, was there to represent the whole of Bomber Command. In addition all the children who had flown on Lima Tango earlier in the day were in the congregation. The Red Arrows pilots did manage to enter the hangar on cue so that the cameras could pick them up as they joined the congregation. I think I detected a guilty look on the face of the pilot who had been responsible for the ill-timing of the flypast. The programme included prayers of reconciliation from British and German ministers and Richard Todd read out a letter from the Minister of the church nearest to the Mohne Dam. It was all very moving and tasteful. The live programme was watched by 8 million people in UK and was subsequently repeated on BBC World Service satellite TV enabling millions more in many countries throughout the world to see it.

What a pity the RAF top echelons had so little foresight and were so grudging about a good news story of peace and reconciliation. It has become the fashion to write knocking stories about distinguished people and famous events. With the benefit of hindsight it is possible that the Dam Busters raid might not, or should not, have taken place, who can say? However, I remember listening to the story of the raid on the radio – was it the morning after? – and I can remember everyone around me that day was talking about it, the brave aircrew and their sacrifices and the belief that it would shorten the war. They were my heroes then and I was proud to meet the survivors when they came to Scampton for Songs of Praise. Sadly, two of the aircrew who had been working with me and the Dam Busters' Association, died before the programme went on air.

Basil Feneron was a flight engineer and he flew in Lancaster F for Freddie piloted by Canadian Flight Sergeant Ken Brown. They made eight separate runs against their target, the Sorpe Dam, and after each one the pilot had to slam the four throttles fully open to climb out of the valley. F for Freddie landed back at Scampton at 0533 hrs, unscathed and Basil flew in 12 further raids with 617 Squadron. He died on 18 November 1992.

David Shannon always looked younger than his years, even when he visited Scampton in March 1993, but he was just 20 years old when he piloted his Lancaster in an attack on the Eder Dam after the Mohne had been breached. He had already been awarded the DFC for his actions when flying with 106 Squadron. He was awarded the DSO for his part in the Dams Raid and the medal was pinned on his chest by the King himself on David's 21st birthday. The King remarked, 'How well preserved you look for your age!' Before the war ended Shannon had collected another DSO and another DFC. He died on 8 April 1993.

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