18-24 February 1944

Posted on by propatria27

Overview

Another bad week for Wickenby aircrews – following attacks on Leipzig, Stuttgart and Schweinfurt, 5 aircraft and all their crews were lost. The attack on Leipzig was particularly expensive for Bomber Command, 44 Lancasters and 34 Halifaxes were lost, 9.5% of the force sent. German fighter controllers were not fooled by a diversionary attack on Kiel, therefore the bomber stream was under attack all the way to the target.

Extract from Station Diary


This display is on a wall in the museum at RAF Wickenby and tells the story of the crew of pilot Fg Off Paul Wright who were all killed during the attack on Leipzig on 19 February 1944
The crew of Fg Off Jack Hutchinson’s aircraft who were all killed on the night of 24/25 February 1944 – Back L to R R Edgeworth, W/O – H Binder, AG – P Young, bomber – H Macey, A/G, Front L to R J Hutchinson, Pilot – L Goodkey, Nav – A Hodgson F/Eng .
Jack Hutchinson, DFC, aged 23, was the son of George Pierce Hutchinson & Ruby May Hutchinson of Gleneig, South Australia and was one of the founder members of 626 Sqn having transferred from 12 Sqn on its formation

Extract from Appendix to 12 Sqn Operational Record Book

Extract from Appendix to 626 Sqn Operational Record Book

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