British World War II Aviator. Famed British World War Two bomber pilot. Born in Sheffield, he stands out as one of the truly great characters of the Conflict. His long operational career, covering many aspects of aerial conflict, included some of the most daring episodes in the histroy of the war and the RAF. 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 real-life film production "Target for Tonight". Within 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 (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 away from the target, at 500ft, their aircraft was attacked by Fw190s and their first burst of fire severed the Mosquito's tail section. The aircraft flicked onto its back and dived into the ground, exploding in flames on impact. Group Captain Pickard and 'Bill' Broadley, aged 28 and 22 respectively had made their last flight together.
British World War II Aviator. Famed British World War Two bomber pilot. Born in Sheffield, he stands out as one of the truly great characters of the Conflict. His long operational career, covering many aspects of aerial conflict, included some of the most daring episodes in the histroy of the war and the RAF. 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 real-life film production "Target for Tonight". Within 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 (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 away from the target, at 500ft, their aircraft was attacked by Fw190s and their first burst of fire severed the Mosquito's tail section. The aircraft flicked onto its back and dived into the ground, exploding in flames on impact. Group Captain Pickard and 'Bill' Broadley, aged 28 and 22 respectively had made their last flight together.
Bio by: Kieran Smith
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Pilot
Royal Air Force
18th February 1944
Age 28
At The Rising
And Going Down Of The Sun
We Will Always Remember Him
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