Overview
Wickenby aircraft were involved in 3 operations this week, to Aulnoye in France, Essen and Nuremburg in Germany – 3 aircraft were lost, with 20 aircrew being killed, one becoming a POW and one evading capture.
The raid on Nuremburg became the worst night of the war for Bomber Command with 95 bombers lost along with 545 aircrew deaths, mostly by night fighters on the way to the target – only 9 were lost on the return leg as the Germans had to land to refuel.
There is a narrative below describing the experiences of one crew during the attack on Nuremburg, which clearly shows the courage and character of the men who made up Bomber Command – there are too many stories like this for it to be anything other than a normal response.
Extract from Station Diary
Extract from 12 Sqn Appendix to Operational Record Book
Extract from 626 Sqn Appendix to Operational Record Book
RAF Wickenby - This week in history - World War 2 