From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nigger with members of 617 Squadron.

Nigger was a black labrador retriever dog belonging to Wing Commander Guy Gibson, and the mascot of 617 Squadron. Nigger died on 16 May 1943, the day before the famous "Dam Busters" raid, when he was hit by a car. He was buried at midnight as Gibson was leading the raid. 'Nigger' was the codeword Gibson used to confirm the breach of the Möhne Dam. Nigger's grave is at RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire.^[1] He had often accompanied Gibson on training flights.^[1]

Film censorship

Nigger was portrayed in the 1955 film The Dam Busters. He was mentioned by name frequently in the film. The word nigger, which was in general use as a name at the time, has since become unacceptable for media use. In 1999, British television network ITV broadcast a censored version of the film, with all instances of the name removed. ITV blamed regional broadcaster London Weekend Television, which in turn alleged that a junior staff member had been responsible for the unauthorised cuts. When ITV again showed a censored version in June 2001, it was criticised by Index on Censorship as "unnecessary and ridiculous" and that the edits introduced continuity errors.^[2]

The edited American version of the film uses dubbing to change Nigger's name to Trigger.^[2] The dog may be called "Nigsy" in the upcoming remake.^[3]

Phantom sightings

Nigger's grave

According to Bruce Barrymore Halpenny in his books Ghost Stations, the ghost of Nigger has been seen on numerous occasions around RAF Scampton and also around the Dambusters Memorial at Woodhall Spa.^[4][5]

References

External link

• A photograph of 'Nigger' with a Lancaster bomber in the background