Overview
There were 2 attacks carried out by Wickenby squadrons this week, to Magdeburg and Berlin: 1 aircraft crashed on take-off, with no casualties, and 4 aircraft were lost on the Berlin operation, with 12 aircrew being killed, 12 becoming POW’s and 4 evading capture – some accounts of these airmen, given to Military Intelligence, are listed below in the Station Diary and emphasize the courage and ingenuity of civilians in the occupied countries.
The attack on Magdeburg was the first one on that target, but was a failure, mainly due to strong winds and some premature bombing by Main Force aircraft, which made it difficult for the Pathfinders to identify and mark the target. One RAF POW in hospital in Magdeburg at the time reported only “bangs far away”. 8.8% of the force were lost, Halifaxes suffering 15.6% losses.
Extract from Station Diary
Extract from 12 Sqn Appendix to Operational Record Book
Extract from Appendix to 626 Sqn Operational Record Book
RAF Wickenby - This week in history - World War 2 
Thank you very much for your work and preserving the memory of these brave people
Kind Regards
Ian Boulby .
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That is a fantastic episode, some remarkable accounts. Thank you, again, for publishing
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