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Operation Jericho was a low-level air attack by Allied aircraft on Amiens Prison in Nazi-occupied France, during World War II. It succeeded in destroying the prison and releasing many of the prisoners, 120 of whom were to be executed the following day.

The raid was carried out by 19 Mosquito Mk. VI aircraft of the Royal Air Force (RAF), Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), led by Group Captain Percy Charles Pickard, on 18 February 1944.

Contents 1 Attack force 2 The attack 3 References 4 External link

Taking part in the mission were 18 aircraft from No. 487 Squadron RNZAF, No. 464 Squadron RAAF and No. 21 Squadron RAF, all from 140 Wing of the 2nd Tactical Air Force, along with one (unarmed) Mosquito from the Photo Reconnaissance Unit (PRU). The Mosquitos were escorted by Typhoons from three other squadrons: No. 174 Squadron RAF, No. 198 Squadron RAF and No. 245 Squadron RAF. The PRU Mosquito circled above the prison, taking cine film of the attack and reporting results to the attacking force.

Three Mosquitoes from 487 Sqn attacked first, scoring hits on the eastern wall at 12:03 hours. Two aircraft from 487 Sqn simultaneously attacked the northern wall. These attacks were later reported as successful. Bombs also hit the main prison building, and the north side of the eastern building.

At 12:06, two planes from 464 Squadron bombed the eastern wall at an altitude of 50 feet, with eight 500lb bombs. The wall appeared unbreached before the attack. Results were unobserved. Simultaneously, two Mosquitoes from 464 Squadron bombed the main building from 100 feet, also with eight 500lb bombs.

The bombing caused significant damage to the main building, killing many guards and 102 of the 717 prisoners. However, the walls were breached and 258 prisoners escaped, including 79 French resistance and political prisoners. Pickard and his navigator, Flight-Lieutenant Alan Broadley, were attacked by Focke-Wulf Fw 190 fighters from Jagdgeschwader 26 as they circled above, watching the results of the mission. They were shot down and killed, and are buried in a nearby cemetery. In all, three Mosquitos and two Typhoons were lost in the raid; a total of three aircrew were killed and three were captured.

Today, there is a plaque dedicated to those who died in the attack on the site, and the British aircrew who were shot down are regarded as local heroes^{[citation needed]}. There is also a general airfield memorial at Hunsdon, in Hertfordshire England, where the Mosquitos were based. As no Mosquito's are flying, a Spitfire performed a fly past for the 60th anniversary.

The operation, as well as situation of the freed prisoners, were described in Jack Fishman's book And the Walls Came Tumbling Down (MacMillan 1983, ISBN 0-02-538470-8).

• RAF, 2003, "Attack on Amiens Prison, 18th February 1944" A short film clip of the raid can be downloaded from British Pathe News " "1368.03 - THE JAIL BREAKERS"