Military Model Scene

Title: Operation Jericho
Author: Robert Lyman
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-4728-5206-9

'Freeing the French Resistance from Gestapo jail, Amiens 1944', number 57 in the Raid series from Osprey, the low-level Mosquito bombing raid on the Amiens prison. An 80-page book in the usual style for this series, with archive images, maps, along with the usual first class artwork we expect from Osprey, in this case by Adam Tooby, and it includes some marvellous 3D diagrams clearly showing the flightpaths of the various aircraft over the prison site.
It starts with setting the scene to the raid, how early in 1944 the preparations for D-Day involved MI6 in gathering information and the growing number of allied aircrews in their escape attempts after being shot down over enemy territory. It sets out the target and the briefing for it, before adding detail on the aircraft chosen for the raid, the Mosquitos of 140-Wing based at RAF Hunsden in Hertfordshire. The raid was to be done at very low level, the was to be led by Group Captain Pickard, a leader who was one of the few crews to be lost on the raid. The raid itself is detailed, from the take-off, to the attack itself as well as the result, the aftermath in Amiens. Throughout there are plenty of personal accounts from many of the people involved. The raid was successful in hitting the prison, destroying the wing containing the guards and bringing down the walls so prisoners could escape. While there was a great deal of precision, there were bombs that fell wide, causing some damage to housing nearby so casualties included Germans, prisoners and civilians. Many escaped, though many were also recaptured.
I suspect many interested in the history of WW2 may know of the raid, but perhaps not be familiar with the wider context that surround it, the planning, the mission and the results. I found it interesting reading. One other aspect of this story is that it was launched from RAF Hunsden, and airfield just north of the Essex town of Harlow. I lived there for several years and did go to see the airfield site, which is now farmland. We often think of historical sites from WW2 being concentrated on the continent, but I wonder how many people living today in a town like Harlow realise how close they are to this particular bit of WW2 history. Recommended.
Thanks to Osprey for the review copy.

Robin