The Royal Albert Hall held a commemorative gala event to mark the 75th anniversary of the iconic Dambusters raid.

The Dam Busters was an attack on the German dams carried out on May 16 and 17 in 1943 by the Royal Air Force No.617 Squadron, using a bouncing bomb.

The famous military raid inspired one of the most powerful and classic films, The Dam Busters, which was produced at Elstree Studios before being released in 1955.

On May 17 this year, the gala at the hall was screened in nearly 400 cinemas across the country, featuring an interview with the last surviving member of the raid, George Johnson.

Now, 96, squadron leader "Johnny" took flight over the Derwent Valley in Derbyshire to mark the 75 year anniversary.

The Dam Busters, directed by Michael Anderson, starred Richard Todd, Michael Redgrave, Ursula Jeans, and Basil Sydney.

Film historian and Borehamwood Times columnist Paul Welsh recalls when he met Richard for a plaque unveiling in the 90's.

He said: "This is a classic Elstree film from the 1950's. The studio spent two years in pre-production as it was a prestige production and had to be accurate. The recently departed Michael Anderson told me they warned him if they did not like the early rushes, he would be replaced but he did a great job.

"The star was Richard Todd who I had the great pleasure to host a plaque unveiling in his honour in 1996 at Elstree.

"In 1989 I invited several of the original RAF crew who took part in the raid to a reception at the studios. I think the Dam Busters is a great movie. Okay the special effects are dated but it has stood the test of time. This was Elstree Studios at its best in the 1950's."

Roger Morris, managing director of Elstree Studios, added: "The Dam Busters was an iconic film; they used the water tank at the back of the studios which is currently under the Big Brother house. We have a marvellous picture of the film crew and cast with a Lancaster.

"There's a certain magic about Elstree and its studios, so many iconic films have been made here."