On a snow-shrouded winter morning in February 1944, 18 DeHavilland Mosquito’s raced wingtip to wingtip at wave-top height across the English channel towards Amiens Prison in occupied France. In company for this mission was a 19th aircraft equipped with cameras to record the rapier-like thrust to breach the walls of Amiens Prison and free resistance fighters facing death at the hands of nazi firing squads. The raid that followed, known today as Operation Jericho, was one of the most remarkable aerial actions of the entire Second World War. This is that story.

Book Links:

• R. Lyman, The Jail Busters (2014): https://amzn.to/43MdDac
• R. Lyman, Operation Jericho (2022): https://amzn.to/43xuAWa

Written Sources

• M. Bowman, Mosquito, Menacing the Reich (2008)
• M. Cobb, Resistance (2009)
• M.R.D. Foot, Resistance (1976)
• D. Ponchardier, Les Paves de l’enfer (1950)
• G. Renault, L’operation Jericho (1954)
• H.L Thompson, Official History of New Zealanders with the Royal Air Force (1956)
• M. Lax & L. Kane-Mauire, The Gestapo Hunters: 464 Squadron RAAF (1999)

Video/Audio Sources

A special thanks to clearbreezeconsulting.com for creating the 3D model of the prison.

• Digital Combat Simulator (DCS)
• Eagle Dymanics: Mosquito FBVI (   • DCS: MOSQUITO FB VI  )
• Eagle Dymanics: FW190 (   • DCS FW 190 A-8  )
• The ‘Jailbreakers’ – Amiens Prison Raid, British Pathe
• Sir. B. Embry, Interview, Imperial War Museum Sound Archive
• M. Sparks, Interview, Imperial War Museum Sound Archive (2011)
• Target for Tonight, Chapter I (1944)

Illustrations & Animation:

Clear Breeze Consulting
Google Earth
Google Earth Studio
Osprey Publishing (Courtesy of Dr Robert Lyman)

General Archive Sources

• Imperial War Museum Sound Archive (IWMSA)
• Bundesarchiv (German National Archives)
• US National Archives (NARA)
• National Archives NextGen Catalog
• Army Flying Museum

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Credits:

• Research: Dan Hill & Dr Robert Owen
• Historical Consultant: Dr Robert Lyman
• Script & Narration: Dan Hill
• Editor: Shane Greer & Linus Klassen
• Sound Design: Shane Greer
• Thumbnail Design: Shane Greer & Linus Klassen
• Music & Sound Effects: Envato Elements & Epidemic Sound