Last of WWII Dambusters raid pilots dies

The last surviving pilot of the top-secret World War II Dambusters raid on Germany has died aged 96, the New Zealand Bomber Command Association said on Tuesday.

New Zealander John Leslie Munro, known as Les, piloted one of the Lancaster bombers from the RAF's 617 Squadron during the raid in which specially developed "bouncing bombs" were used to destroy heavily fortified dams.

"Our New Zealand Bomber Command Association patron, and well known Dambuster pilot, Les Munro passed away last night following a spell in hospital with heart problems. So, so sad. He was a mighty man," the association posted on social media.