Operation Jericho
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Third Reich World War Two Tours Operation Jericho: RAF Raid on Amiens Prison What’s included: Hotel Bed & Breakfast Accommodation All transport from the official overseas start point Accompanied for the trip duration All Museum entrances All Expert Talks and Guidance Low Group Numbers Low Single Room Operation Jericho was a low-level World War II at the prison memorial before heading to our hotel Supplements bombing raid on 18 February 1944, by Allied aircraft in Amiens to have a talk on photo reconnaissance. on Amiens Prison in German-occupied France. The objective of the raid was to free French Resistance Day Two: “I just wanted to thank and political prisoners due for imminent execution. We recommence our story back at the prison to you for the trip, it was a The raid is remarkable for the precision and daring discuss, with the aid of photos and maps, the damage great experience & both of the attack, which was filmed by a camera on caused to the prison and the human cost of the Nicky and I enjoyed one of the aeroplanes. Nineteen Mosquito Mk.VI raid. As well as casualty numbers on the ground we it very much. Your aircraft (6 aircraft of No 487 (RNZAF) Squadron, 6 consider the fate of the aircrews. We make our way depth of knowledge on aircraft of No 464 (RAAF) Squadron, 6 aircraft of No out of town to visit the crash site of Group Captain the subject certainly 21 Squadron and one aircraft of the Photographic Pickard, RAF and Flight Lieutenant Broadley, RNZAF brought the past alive.” Reconnaissance Unit (PRU)) were detailed to attack before paying our respects at their graves at St. the north and east walls and buildings of the prison. Pierre Cemetery, Amiens. We then head to the crash There were 700 prisoners detained at the time of site of Squadron Leader McRitchie, RAF and Flight the attack and of this number 102 were killed, 74 Lieutenant Sampson, RNZAFR. McRitchie, although Military History Tours wounded and 258 escaped. Among those who wounded, crash-landed his Mosquito in a field at is all about the ‘experience’. escaped were important members of the Resistance high speed near the French village of Fresneville in Naturally we take care of all local accommodation, transport movement. the area of Villeroy. He survived the crash and was and entrances but what sets taken prisoner, but 39-year-old Sampson was killed us aside is our on the ground Day One: instantly by hits on the aircraft from the German AA knowledge and contacts, Guests are met by MHT at the Calais Eurotunnel gun. He is buried in St Denis Eglise cemetery at Poix established over many, many years that enable you to really terminal at 09:00 before we head down to Amiens de Picardie, a short distance from Amiens and our get under the surface of your arriving at 11:00. Our first stop is Gestapo HQ where next destination. chosen subject matter. we explore the background of the Gestapo in general By guiding guests around these and the Amiens Gestapo in particular. Over brunch After lunch we explore the stories of the escaped historic locations we feel we are we have a briefing on the prisoners and their, and resistance fighters and political prisoners and the contributing greatly towards general, resistance activity as well as visiting local extent and effect of German reprisals on the local ‘keeping the spirit alive’ of some of the most memorable events sites connected with resistance. We then go to population. Mid afternoon we head back to the in human history. the prison, the subject of the low level precision Eurotunnel at Calais for the mid evening crossing Let their sacrifice not be in vain. raid, where we discuss the squadrons, the aircraft, stopping off on the way to visit an example of other personnel, politics, tactics and procedures - and of Mosquito low level precision bombing raids: a V course the finer details of the raid. We end our day Rocket launch site. Email [email protected] Phone 0845 835 0644 Follow @MilitaryHistory to keep up to date Web www.militaryhistorytours.co.uk Mobile 07899 083611 with the latest news and tour information.