PATRIOTS SAVED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21548, 30 October 1944, Page 3

PATRIOTS SAVED

R.A.F. SMASHES PRISON condemneiTmen escape MOSQUITOES’ MISSION (10 a.m.) RUGBY, Oct. 30. “Mosquitoes are to attack a prison at Amiens in an attempt to assist more than 100 prisoners to escape. These are French Patriots condemned to death for assisting the Allies.” This was the briefing on February 18 last for air crews at the Allied Expeditionary Air Force intelligence room and it was a prelude to an epic operation by the Royal Air Force, the news of which was not released earlier for security reasons. The Royal Air Force undertook an exacting tack and it was eventually learned that, as a result of the attack, many prisoners escaped and considerable casualties were caused among the German guards.

The operational task was entrusted to a Mosquito wing of the Second Tactical Air Force, comprising British, Australian and New Zealand squadrons and including Canadian airmen commanded by Group Captain P. C. Pickard. The bombers were given fighter cover and the first wave of bombers, which was detailed to attack a wall on the north-east and northwest perimeter of the prison, completed its mission successfully. The second wave of a similar number of aircraft opened up both ends of the gaol and destroyed the quarters of the German Guards who were living in another wing.

A photographic Mosquito, making three runs over the objective, saw breaches in the wall, the ends of the building broken and prisoners running out through the breaches and Germans lying on the ground and Patriots disappearing across the snow on a field outside the prison. The operation was not completed without loss. Two Mosquitoes, one of which carried Group Captain Pickard and his navigator, Flight Lieutenant J. A. Broadley, were shot down by fighters as also were two of the fighter escort,