The 65th anniversary of Operation Jericho - Aircraft of World War II

v2 · 02-20-2009, 06:05 PM

WWII veteran recalls Jericho raid

On the 65th anniversary of an audacious World War II bombing raid on a Gestapo prison, one of the few survivors has spoken of his part in the dangerous mission.

Operation Jericho was devised to give 100 French patriots the chance to escape the firing squad, scheduled for 19 February 1944, at Amiens Prison in occupied Northern France.

Mosquitos of the 2nd Tactical Air Force were detailed to fly as low as possible over the Channel and then on to Amiens.

Once there they were to to dive-bomb the high prison walls.

Pilot Officer Cecil Dunlop, 92, from Bath, was on one of the first bombers to fly over the prison and drop his payload.

The planes flew so low - below the level of the prison roof - the crews could see the prisoners running out.

"It was exciting," recalled Mr Dunlop.

The blast breached the walls of the prison and, while the explosion unfortunately killed 102 prisoners, 258 escaped, including 79 political prisoners.

Mr Dunlop's son David said: "There was snow on the ground when they flew over and they looked down and they could see the prisoners escaping - all these black dots running around."

The mission was completed with the loss of only two aircraft and Operation Jericho proved that the Mosquito was able to perform precision bombing raids.

Years later Mr Dunlop and his son met one of the prisoners the raid freed.

"He told us he'd been in solitary confinement and he'd got a rat for company," said David Dunlop.

On the way back to Britain the plane was hit by anti-aircraft guns.

"You never knew whether you were going to come back or not but you never thought that you wouldn't," said Cecil Dunlop.

source: BBC News.

and:
YouTube - Jailbreakers

Vassili Zaitzev · 02-20-2009, 06:40 PM

Cool, thanks V2!

Aaron Brooks Wolters · 02-20-2009, 07:01 PM

Very interesting V2! Thank you for the post.

Soundbreaker Welch? · 02-20-2009, 07:33 PM

Brave story, thanks!

A pity some of the Resistance Fighters got killed by the blast, but at least a lot of then escaped, ready to carry on the fight to the Germans.

Wayne Little · 02-21-2009, 08:43 AM

Excellent V2 thanks mate!

evangilder · 02-21-2009, 09:59 AM

Wasn't that the basis for the movie "Mosquito Squadron"?

Gnomey · 02-21-2009, 02:03 PM

It could of been, I can't remember.

Thanks for that v2

02-20-2009, 06:05 PM	#1
v2 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cracow Posts: 4,207	The 65th anniversary of Operation Jericho WWII veteran recalls Jericho raid On the 65th anniversary of an audacious World War II bombing raid on a Gestapo prison, one of the few survivors has spoken of his part in the dangerous mission. Operation Jericho was devised to give 100 French patriots the chance to escape the firing squad, scheduled for 19 February 1944, at Amiens Prison in occupied Northern France. Mosquitos of the 2nd Tactical Air Force were detailed to fly as low as possible over the Channel and then on to Amiens. Once there they were to to dive-bomb the high prison walls. Pilot Officer Cecil Dunlop, 92, from Bath, was on one of the first bombers to fly over the prison and drop his payload. The planes flew so low - below the level of the prison roof - the crews could see the prisoners running out. "It was exciting," recalled Mr Dunlop. The blast breached the walls of the prison and, while the explosion unfortunately killed 102 prisoners, 258 escaped, including 79 political prisoners. Mr Dunlop's son David said: "There was snow on the ground when they flew over and they looked down and they could see the prisoners escaping - all these black dots running around." The mission was completed with the loss of only two aircraft and Operation Jericho proved that the Mosquito was able to perform precision bombing raids. Years later Mr Dunlop and his son met one of the prisoners the raid freed. "He told us he'd been in solitary confinement and he'd got a rat for company," said David Dunlop. On the way back to Britain the plane was hit by anti-aircraft guns. "You never knew whether you were going to come back or not but you never thought that you wouldn't," said Cecil Dunlop. source: BBC News. and: YouTube - Jailbreakers __________________ "A good fighter pilot, like a good boxer, should have a knockout punch..... You will find one attack you prefer to all others. Work on it till you can do it to perfection... then use it whenever possible." - Captain Reade Tilley, USAAF 7 Victories, WW-II -

02-20-2009, 06:40 PM	#2
Vassili Zaitzev Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Stafford Springs, Connecticut Posts: 2,221	Cool, thanks V2! __________________ "Never was so much owed by so many to so few"- Winston Churchill.

02-20-2009, 07:33 PM	#4
Soundbreaker Welch? Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 1,893	Brave story, thanks! A pity some of the Resistance Fighters got killed by the blast, but at least a lot of then escaped, ready to carry on the fight to the Germans. __________________ "His motor's conked out!" "What's the differance, they're all Nazis!" "Luke, shut up!" "Fear the hook!" "Oh.....I wanna fly." "You mean the kind that go under water and fly up the stairs?" "What you doing? Oh Nooooo!"

02-21-2009, 08:43 AM	#5
Wayne Little Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Adelaide Sth. Aust. Posts: 12,511	Excellent V2 thanks mate! __________________

02-21-2009, 09:59 AM	#6
evangilder "Shooter" Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Moorpark, CA Posts: 14,807	Wasn't that the basis for the movie "Mosquito Squadron"? __________________ http://www.vg-photo.com For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return. Leonardo Da Vinci

02-20-2009, 07:01 PM	#3
Aaron Brooks Wolters Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Abingdon, VA. Posts: 2,290	Very interesting V2! Thank you for the post.

02-21-2009, 02:03 PM	#7
Gnomey "World Traveller" Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Royal Deeside/St Andrews, Scotland, UK Posts: 15,223	It could of been, I can't remember. Thanks for that v2 __________________ "Success is not Final, Failure is not Fatal, it is the Courage to Continue that Counts" Sir Winston Churchill "To him the People of the World Largely owe the Freedom and Liberties they Enjoy Today" Enscription on Hugh Dowding's (AOC Fighter Command 1936-40) statue in London WW2 Talk: A WW2 Discussion Forum My Photo Collections on Flickr

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