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Percy Charles Pickard |
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Name : Percy Charles Pickard Born : 16th May 1915 Died : 18th February 1944 Service Number : 39392 Awards : Distinguished Service Order with 2 Bars Distinguished Flying Cross Mentioned in Despatches |
Group Captain P.C. Pick Pickard, DSO, DFC, CzMC: Born 16th May 1915, at Handsworth Sheffield, Percy Charles Pick Pickard stands out as one of the truly great characters of the 1939-45 Air War. His long operational career, covering many aspects of aerial conflict, included some of the most daring episodes in the RAFs history. In Air Force circles he was admired for his consistent leadership, determination and courage. Outside the RAF he was well known as Sqd Ldr Dickson, the skipper of Wellington, F for Freddie, in the popular Crown Film Unit 1941 production Target for Tonight. Back on operations he played a key role in the successful airborne Commando raid against the German Wurzburg Radar Installation near Bruneval, and flying numerous cloak and dagger sorties, carrying supplies and agents for the S.O.E. into Nazi occupied Europe. He was the leader of the legendary Amiens Prison Raid (Operation Jericho) which saved the lives of Resistance fighters. Operation Jericho was an immediate success as a positive direct result of the two leading squadrons (No.s 464 and 487) accurate bombing. On seeing the outcome, Pickard told the third wave (21 Squadron) to return to base. As Pickard and Broadley flew their Mosquito Mk.FBVI HX922 EG-F of No.464 Sqn away from the target, at 500ft, their aircraft was attacked from astern by Fw190s and their first burst of fire severed the Mosquitos tail section. The aircraft flicked onto its back and dived into the ground, exploding in flames on impact. Pick Pickard and Bill Broadley, aged 28 and 22 respectively had made their last flight together. He is buried in St Pierre cemetery, Amiens. Son of Percy and Jenny Pickard, husband of Dorothy Pickard, of Highlands, Southern Rhodesia. |
Known Service Details : | |||||||
Squadron | Rank | Start of Service | End of Service | Known Dates | Aircraft | Airframes | Notes |
Group Captain | unknown | 18th February 1944 | Killed in Action | ||||
18-02-1944 - Shot down by Fw190s during the attack on Amiens prison. Group Captain Percy Charles Pickard (pilot) killed, Flight Lieutenant John Alan Broadley (navigator) killed.
Known Individual Aircraft : | ||||||||
Type | Serial | Codes | First Flew | Squadron History | Aircrew History | History Notes | Engine | Factory |
EG-F | - | |||||||
| Aircraft for : Percy Charles Pickard | ||
| A list of all aircraft associated with Percy Charles Pickard. A profile page including a list of all art prints for the aircraft is available by clicking the aircraft name. | ||
| Aircraft | Info | |
Mosquito 
Manufacturer : De Havilland Production Began : 1940 Retired : 1955 Number Built : 7781 | Mosquito Used as a night fighter, fighter bomber, bomber and Photo-reconnaissance, with a crew of two, Maximum speed was 425 mph, at 30,300 feet, 380mph at 17,000ft. and a ceiling of 36,000feet, maximum range 3,500 miles. the Mosquito was armed with four 20mm Hospano cannon in belly and four .303 inch browning machine guns in nose. Coastal strike aircraft had eight 3-inch Rockets under the wings, and one 57mm shell gun in belly. The Mossie at it was known made its first flight on 25th November 1940, and the mosquito made its first operational flight for the Royal Air Force as a reconnaissance unit based at Benson. In early 1942, a modified version (mark II) operated as a night fighter with 157 and 23 squadron's. In April 1943 the first De Haviland Mosquito saw service in the Far east and in 1944 The Mosquito was used at Coastal Command in its strike wings. Bomber Commands offensive against Germany saw many Mosquitos, used as photo Reconnaissance aircraft, Fighter Escorts, and Path Finders. The Mosquito stayed in service with the Royal Air Force until 1955. and a total of 7781 mosquito's were built. | |
Wellington 
Manufacturer : Vickers Production Began : 1938 Retired : 1953 | Wellington The Vickers Wellington was a Bomber aircraft and also used for maritime reconnaissance. and had a normal crew of six except in the MKV and VI where a crew of three was used. Maximum speed was 235 mph (MK1c) 255 mph (MK III, X) and 299 mph (MK IIII), normal operating range of 1805 miles (except MK III which was 1470miles) The Wellington or Wimpy as it was known, was the major bomber of the Royal Air Force between 1939 and 1943. The Royal Air Force received its first Wellingtons in October 1938 to 99 squadron. and by the outbreak of World war two there were 6 squadrons equipped with the Vickers Wellington. Due to heavy losses on daylight raids, the Wellington became a night bomber and from 1940 was also used as a long range bomber in North Africa. and in 1942 also became a long range bomber for the royal Air Force in India. It was well used by Coastal Command as a U-Boat Hunter. The Wellington remained in service with the Royal Air Force until 1953. Probably due to its versatile use, The aircraft was also used for experimental work including the fitting of a pressure cabin for High altitude tests. The Vickers Wellington could sustain major damage and still fly, probably due to its construction of its geodesic structure and practical application of geodesic lines. Designed by Sir Barnes Wallis | |
| Squadrons for : Percy Charles Pickard | ||
| A list of all squadrons known to have been served with by Percy Charles Pickard. A profile page is available by clicking the squadron name. | ||
| Squadron | Info | |
No.464 Sqn RAAF Country : UK Founded : 15th August 1942 Fate : Disbanded 25th September 1945 Aequo anumo - Equanimity | No.464 Sqn RAAF Full profile not yet available. | |
Last edited : 14:45, October 30, 2013
Last editor : kc
First created : 14:39, October 30, 2013
Created by : kc
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