Britain's last Dambuster blasts clasp issued instead of medal as 'insult'
BRITAIN’S last Dambuster has slammed the Government’s Bomber Command clasp as an “insult” to the crews who died.
George “Johnny” Johnson holding the Bomber Command clasp
Squadron Leader George “Johnny” Johnson, 94, vowed not to wear the bronze brooch which was granted by David Cameron instead of a campaign medal.
He also hit out at “two-faced” politicians who failed to fund the cost of a national memorial. Sqn Ldr Johnson, from Bristol, was the bomb-aimer on Lancaster AJ-T “Tommy” for the historic 1943 bouncing-bombs raid on German dams.
Mr Johnson says the clasp is an 'insult'
Today, at a fundraiser for a £9million International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln, he said: “There is still a strong resistance to the creation of a Bomber Command medal. “There has been a clasp issued, a coppery sort of thing, which has to be attached to one of the existing medals, the 1939-45 Star.
So much for politicians and their respect for my lost comrades
“To me that is an insult. I have one but I have yet to wear it. “It is still in its box. So much for politicians and their respect for my lost comrades.”
Bomber Command lost 55,573 of 150,000 volunteers, the heaviest losses of any British-led unit.
But following controversy over civilian casualties in raids such as Dresden, the crews did not get a national memorial until 2012.
The 94-year-old will not wear the clasp
The Government waived £1million in VAT but veterans raised £10million for the memorial in London’s Green Park.
Daily Express readers donated more than £1million and owner Richard Desmond gave £500,000. Sqn Ldr Johnson said: “Politicians did not give any financial assistance to the Green Park memorial, yet when it was unveiled by the Queen they were in the front row.
How two-faced can you get? The Lincoln memorial again has had no Government financial assistance.”
A German dam destroyed by a bouncing bomb
Dambusters main theme song - tune - anthem - soundtrack
The MoD said an independent review in 2014 had recommended a clasp in line with the Battle of Britain clasp for fighter pilots.
A spokesman said: “We have enormous admiration and respect for the unique contribution and sacrifice Bomber aircrew made.”
To give to the Lincoln memorial fund visit internationalbcc.co.uk/ donate or call 01778 421 420.