A unique exhibition revealing the untold story of the Dambusters raid and its aftermath has opened to the public at the International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) in Lincoln.

After Me, The Flood was officially unveiled at a special VIP preview at the IBCC on Monday 5^th October, bringing together guests from across the UK and Germany.

One of the highlights of the event was a special reading by children from Scampton Primary School, celebrating the friendship that has grown between the Lincolnshire village and the German community of Möhnesee.

Students from Möhnesee also presented a plaque to the CEO of the IBCC, Nicky van der Drift, during the event, further marking the special relationship between the two communities.

More than 80 years ago the Möhne Dam in Germany was one of three dams targeted in the famous Dambusters raid. Eight Lancaster bombers were lost, 53 RAF airmen died, and the resulting floods killed nearly 1,300 people.

Now, for the first time, hundreds of photographs, films and documents captured in the immediate aftermath of the raid – and during the extraordinary reconstruction of the dam that followed – have been brought together in one public exhibition.

The material, sourced from town archives, private collections and local historians across the Möhne region, has never previously been displayed collectively.

It provides a rare opportunity to see the impact of one of the Second World War’s most iconic operations from the perspective of the people who experienced its devastating consequences.

The exhibition includes photographs taken by Nazi officials, local civilians and regional archivists showing flooded landscapes, shattered communities and the scale of destruction downstream from the breached dam.

Alongside these are photographs and film documenting the rapid reconstruction of the Möhne Dam, which was completed in just over four months using forced labour under the Nazi regime.

The exhibition also includes letters between Barnes Wallis, inventor of the ‘bouncing bomb’, and German historian Dr Helmuth Euler as well as the only surviving diary, kept by Piet Hilkmann, a Dutch prisoner who was forced to work on the reconstruction of the dam.

Nicky van der Drift said she’s thrilled to open this unique exhibition to the public and share these never-before-seen images and papers.

“Many people’s idea of the Dambusters raid comes from the film, but it is incomplete,” she explained.

“This exhibition allows us to look beyond that familiar story and understand what happened to the people and communities affected by the raid.

“It is particularly meaningful to see children from Scampton and students from Möhnesee coming together at the opening. Their involvement demonstrates how an event rooted in the terrible experiences of war can, more than 80 years later, help build understanding, friendship and reconciliation between communities in Britain and Germany.”

In 2024, representatives of Körbecke, including the town’s Mayor Maria Moritz, visited Lincolnshire and unveiled a commemorative stone at the IBCC. The following year, Scampton residents travelled to Germany and were shown local archives, including original photographs taken by the Nazi regime showing the damage to the dam and the subsequent rebuilding process.

The exhibition continues that process of understanding and reconciliation by bringing this material to a UK audience for the first time.

Möhnesee archivist Dr Lena Lewald explained its significance.

“It is essential that these historical photographs, documents and eyewitness accounts are preserved, contextualised and made available, again and again, for historical and political education in the years to come,” she said.

“It would be a delusion to believe that the work of remembrance undertaken since 1945 has shaped our society and proofed it against war and hatred.

“Very clear signals from within our society show we cannot afford to rest. We must make certain that memory stays awake, that history is not retold to suit other ends, and that young people do not turn away and stop listening.

“The opposite of war is not merely the absence of conflict, but also friendship and solidarity. After Me, The Flood is the result of the friendship that has grown between the residents of the village of Scampton and the residents of Lake Möhne. This friendship is so very important! Our work together unites us all in the shared message that something like this must never happen again.”

Tattershall Lakes holiday park is sponsoring the exhibition. Situated in the heart of the beautiful Lincolnshire countryside, it is a lakeside holiday park that offers the perfect blend of relaxation, adventure and family fun. Part of the Away Resorts family, which comprises of 25 parks around the UK, it’s a place where every kind of guest finds their version of the perfect break.

Carl Castledine, CEO and founder at Away Resorts, said: “We’re incredibly proud to continue our long-standing relationship with both Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire and the International Bomber Command Centre.

“These organisations play a vital role in preserving the region’s remarkable history, and we’re honoured to support them while offering our guests even more opportunities to discover the rich heritage that makes Lincolnshire such a special place to visit.

“Partnerships like these help create meaningful experiences that go beyond a traditional holiday, allowing visitors to connect with the local area and its stories.”

After Me, The Flood is now open to the public at the International Bomber Command Centre and runs until 28^th February 2027.

Once the exhibition closes in Lincoln, it will be translated into German and tour museums, libraries and galleries in Germany, including the Museum of Military History of the Federal Forces in Berlin.

The photographs and films will also be added to the IBCC Digital Archive, housed by the University of Lincoln.

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