Name: |
PICKEN |
Given Name: |
WILLIAM JAMES |
Initials: |
W J |
Service No: |
80222 |
Trade: |
Pilot |
Rank: |
Flight LieutenantOther Casualties of this Rank |
Regiment: |
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Unit: |
106 Sqdn.Other Casualties from this Unit |
Date of Death: |
1943-03-05Other Casualties on this
Date |
Age: |
21 |
Cause of Death: |
Killed in action, Lancaster #W4918 ZN-D, crashed around 21.30 hrs, west of Boenninghardt, near the farms of the families Grootz and Schlootz. The high capacity bomb destroyed the farm of the Schlootz family and killed all five members except a six-month old baby girl |
Decorations: |
D F C |
Citations: |
LG Sup 11 August 1942 pg. 3498 - "This officer has acted as Captain on Hampden, Manchester and Lancaster aircraft. He is a pilot of great skill and resource who has achieved much success. He has many times attacked targets in the Ruhr and on several occasions bombed the naval yards of Hamburg, Kiel, Bremen and Brest. He took part in the attack on the Renault armament, factory, scoring hits from 3.000 feet. He invariably presses home his attacks whatever the opposition. His courage and determination have been of a high standard." |
Additional
Information: |
Son of John and Jean Picken, of Que Que, Southern Rhodesia. |
This information was last verified for accuracy: 2023-07-06
