31 December – 6 January 1943

Posted on by propatria27

Overview

A busy week for the two Wickenby squadrons with successive nights attacking Berlin and a long range operation to Stettin, in what is now Poland. 5 aircraft were lost, 13 aircrew killed, 7 becoming POW’s and one entire crew interned in Sweden having crash landed on their way back from the attack on Stettin. One aircraft ditched in the North Sea off Grimsby and the narrative in the Station Diary gives a very descriptive account of another of the many dangers faced by Bomber Command crews.

There is also a very moving article from Colin Farrant’s brother about his death aged only 17 during the attack on Stettin – lest we forget.

Extract from Station Diary

Sgt Colin Farrant, the wireless operator in Flight Sergeant Twitchett’s aircraft, who was killed, with the rest of the crew, during the attack on Stettin on 6th January 1943. He was only 17 when he died, but only 15 when he joined the RAF, being one of the youngest fatal casualties of Bomber Command – please see an article from the Wickenby Register below, written by his brother.

Article from Wickenby Register (12 and 626 Sqn aircrew association newsletter)

Extract from 12 Sqn Appendix to Operational Record Book

Extract from 626 Sqn Appendix to Operational Record Book

3 thoughts on “31 December – 6 January 1943”

  3. Your work is truly amazing,and the anecdotes very humbling ,such young brave men.
    I shall be back at RAF Wickenby in April 2024, I do hope to meet you again then,

    Regards,
    Keith.

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