Leslie Gordon Knight, known as “Les” to his friends and family, was a young Australian pilot who became one of the famous “Dambusters” of World War II. Born in 1921 and raised in Camberwell, Melbourne, he grew up in a warm and supportive family. Les was thoughtful, polite, and quietly confident. At school he worked hard, liked solving problems, and had a steady, reliable way of approaching challenges.
When World War II began, Les wanted to serve. In 1941 he joined the Royal Australian Air Force and trained as a pilot. His instructors quickly saw that he had excellent judgement and remarkable flying precision. After earning his wings, he was sent to Britain and selected to join the brand-new No. 617 Squadron—later known around the world as the “Dambusters.”
This squadron trained for a mission that seemed almost impossible: flying large Lancaster bombers at extremely low altitude, at night, through narrow valleys, to drop a special bouncing bomb on the huge German dams. Only the very best pilots were chosen. Les, at just 21, was the youngest—but also one of the most talented.
On the night of 16–17 May 1943, Les flew Lancaster AJ-N (“N for Nut”) to attack the Eder Dam. The Eder was the hardest target: it sat between steep hills and required a twisting, dangerous approach. Les had to make several attempts, each one demanding complete concentration. Finally, he lined up perfectly. His bomb struck the dam and, moments later, the Eder burst open. His accurate flying and calm leadership played a major role in the success of the whole raid. For this, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO).
After the dam attacks, Les continued flying with 617 Squadron on missions that required precision and courage. His crew respected him deeply—not just as a pilot, but as a person. He was modest, thoughtful, and always put the safety of his crew first.
On 16 September 1943, during a low-level attack on the Dortmund–Ems Canal, Les’s Lancaster struck treetops in heavy fog and was badly damaged. Realising the aircraft could not stay in the air, he kept it steady long enough for his crew to bail out. Several survived because he refused to abandon them. He also guided the crippled bomber away from towns and villages to avoid harming civilians. Les did not survive the crash. He was only 22.
Although he never returned home to Camberwell, Flight Lieutenant Les Knight is remembered today as a young man of exceptional skill, bravery, and kindness. His story is honoured in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands, where the men he saved landed. For young people today, Les’s life shows that true courage is not about being loud or fearless—it is about doing what is right, staying calm under pressure, and looking after others even when the risks are great.
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