Eighty years ago, they helped to change the course of the war in a single night.

Eight decades on, their heroism will be remembered with a historic fly-past.

The Battle of Britain Flight's Lancaster bomber will take to the skies on May 16 and fly over 34 different locations to honour the Dambusters.

As darkness fell that night in 1943, airmen from 617 Squadron took off for Germany's industrial heartland.

The squadron, which is still known as the Dambusters, was reformed in 2014 and now flies F-35 Lightning stealth fighters from its base at RAF Marham. 

Eastern Daily Press: An F-35 Lightning jet lands at RAF MarhamAn F-35 Lightning jet lands at RAF Marham (Image: Ian Burt)

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Their predecessors attacked hydro-electric dams in the Ruhr Valley using special bouncing bombs, cutting power to munitions factories and causing extensive flooding.

Eight of the 19 Lancasters which took part in the raid were shot down and 53 crew killed.

Eastern Daily Press: A Lancaster Bomber taxis down the runway at RAF MarhamA Lancaster Bomber taxis down the runway at RAF Marham (Image: Chris Bishop)

The route of the fly-past on May 16 has not yet been announced.

A Norfolk leg seems likely as the county is currently home to the Dambusters, while the Battle of Britain flight is based in neighbouring Lincolnshire.