The Dam Busters' training was a spectator sport for Great Easton

Eyebrook Reservoir Dam: John Fielding

Being a well-prepared visitor, I brought the Harborough District Council leaflet about Great Easton with me yesterday.

And here's an interesting snippet from it about a nearby reservoir:

For several months in 1943 up to a dozen Lancaster bombers regularly used Eyebrook Reservoir as a training ground prior to setting off on the famous Ruhr "Dam Busters Raid".

Initially the low flying night flights caused considerable disturbance to the surrounding villages. However local residents, who recognised their sleep would be interrupted, regularly congregated around the lakeside to witness the spectacular rehearsals.

Discover Rutland says:

Practice flights took place from the 3rd May 1943, with a full ‘dress rehearsal’ on the 14th May of 14 Lancasters "attacking" the Eyebrook Dam.

The reservoir, which straddles the border between Leicestershire and Rutland, was built between 1937 and 1940 by Stewarts & Lloyds to supply water to its Corby steel works.