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

Now a unique exhibition, ‘After Me The Flood’, showing the impact of the raid and the rapid reconstruction work, is set to be unveiled at the International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) in Lincoln.

Bringing together for the first time hundreds of photographs and film recordings captured in the immediate aftermath of the Dambusters raid on the Möhne Dam in May 1943 – and during the extraordinary, harrowing 17-week reconstruction that followed – the exhibition is expected to attract historians, politicians and veterans from all over the world.

It will open at the IBCC on 6th October 2026 and remain open to the public until 28th February 2027.

After Me The Flood is the result of a friendship which has developed between the people of Scampton village in Lincolnshire and the German town of Körbecke on the Möhnesee lake.

In 2024 representatives of Körbecke, including the town’s Mayor Maria Moritz, visited Lincolnshire and unveiled a commemorative stone at the IBCC.

Last year Scampton residents paid a return visit to Germany and were shown local archives, including original photographs taken by the Nazi regime of the damage to the dam and the rebuilding process.

Now the IBCC is to stage the first ever public exhibition of these photographs, films and documents, showing the raids from the German perspective and continuing the process of reconciliation.

Sourced from town archives, private collections and local historians across the Möhne region, these images have never before been displayed collectively. Their arrival in Lincoln marks a rare opportunity to witness the human and environmental impact of one of the Second World War’s most iconic operations through the eyes of those who lived it.

The exhibition presents a stark visual record of the devastation caused when the Möhne Dam was breached. Photographs taken by Nazi officials, local civilians and regional archivists reveal flooded landscapes, shattered communities and the immense scale of destruction downstream.

Alongside these are images documenting the rapid rebuilding of the dam – a reconstruction achieved in just 17 weeks, driven by forced labour under the Nazi regime. These photographs and film reels offer a sobering counterpoint to the celebrated narrative of the Dambusters raid, highlighting the suffering endured by those compelled to restore the structure.

Documentation will include letters between Barnes Wallis, the inventor of the ‘bouncing bomb’ used in the raids, and the German historian Dr Helmuth Euler, as well as a diary kept by Piet Hilkmann, a Dutch prisoner who was forced to work on the reconstruction of the Möhne Dam.

“We’re thrilled to be able to stage this unique exhibition and show these never-before-seen images and papers to the public,” said Nicky van der Drift, CEO of the International Bomber Command Centre.

“Our aim is to deepen understanding of the raid, show the effects and the aftermath from the German perspective, and tell the story of what happened after the 1955 film The Dam Busters ended.

“Many people’s idea of the Dambusters raid comes from the film, but it is incomplete. The new exhibition shows the harsh reality and shared suffering of war. The dams were a strategic target but the effect on the civilian and POW populations was devastating.”

Nicky added: “To have these archives on display in the UK is very exciting, and it’s a great honour for the IBCC to be given permission to stage this exhibition. We are telling an important untold story, and I’m sure it’s going to create a great deal of interest both here and overseas.”

Holiday park Tattershall Lakes 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.”

Once the exhibition closes in February 2027 it will be translated into German and will 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.

The media will also be invited to a private launch of the exhibition on Monday 5^th October 2026.

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