Peter Reginal Whalley Wickham
Military
Object Number - UPL 20657 - Wing Commander Peter R W Wickham, on DS (Detached Service) with the 4th from #2 TEU (Tactical Exercise Unit) where he was Chief Flying Instructor.
Wickham was an experienced fighter pilot, who had served in the RAF flying Spitfires in North Africa and during the Dieppe Raid. In July 1944, he undertook detached service with the Headquarters Squardon of the 4th Fighter Group, as chief Flying Instructor of the #2 TEU (Tactical Exercise Unit). Wickham completed 9 missions with the 4th Fighter Group until he was redeployed in August 1944 to Air Defence of Great Britain (ADGB).
In June 1946 Wickham was awarded the Silver Star for his service during the Second World War. Wickham remained in service with the RAF after the war, and was based at Duxford from 1953 to 1956. He retired in 1961, and gained British citizenship in 1965. He died suddently in April 1970.
Awards: DFC & Bar, DSO, SS.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Headquarters
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Unit: 4th Fighter Group 335th Fighter Squadron Headquarters (4th Fighter Group)
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Unit: 355th Fighter Group 361st Fighter Group 4th Fighter Group 335th Fighter Squadron 358th Fighter Squadron 376th Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Unit: 4th Fighter Group 334th Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Unit: 4th Fighter Group 336th Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Unit: 4th Fighter Group 335th Fighter Squadron
Missions
- Date: 1 August 1944
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Nairobi, Kenya | 26 March 1918 | Son of Edmund Hugh Whalley and Evelyn Mary [Brancker] Wickham. |
|
Other Awarded DFC |
24 July 1942 | Citation: "This officer is a fine leader and a courageous fighter. Whilst serving in the Middle East he destroyed at least 9 and damaged many other enemy aircraft. Since his return to this country, Squadron Leader Wickham has completed many sorties during which he has displayed fine leadership and a magnificent fighting spirit." | |
|
Other Awarded Bar to DFC |
25 August 1942 | Citation: "This officer who has led his squadron in a large number of operational sorties, has displayed outstanding leadership, skill and initiative. During the combined operations at Dieppe on 19th August, 1942, Squadron Leader Wickham led his squadron in the first sortie before dawn and in a further four during the same operations. He has personally destroyed 9 enemy aircraft, probably destroyed 5 and damaged several others." | |
|
Other Detached Service |
Debden, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11, UK | 31 July 1944 - 26 September 1944 | Detached Service with 4FG from 2 Tactical Exercise Unit [TEU]. |
|
Other Tactical Test flight |
France | 1 August 1944 | Flew in section with Col. Blakeslee, Capt. Godfrey and Lt. Glover using new tactics — flying below the bomber boxes. |
|
Other Awarded DSO |
17 August 1945 | Citation: "Since the award of a Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross, Wing Commander Wickham has completed a large number of operational sorties. Throughout his long operational career this officer's leadership has been of the highest order. He has at all times operated with great success and has destroyed at least 17 enemy aircraft and damaged many others. In addition, he has inflicted considerable damage on the enemy's mechanical transport and on other ground targets. His enthusiasm and devotion to duty have always been outstanding, while his courageous leadership has inspired confidence in the pilots who have following him." | |
|
Other Awarded Silver Star |
14 June 1946 | Citation: "Wing Commander Wickham is one of the few pilots who was on operational missions in the first and last days of the European War. As a fighter pilot his numerous sorties include missions in the Middle East (including Greece) and in Western Europe (including Norway). From July to October 1944, he was attached to an American Fighter Group and carried out sorties into the heart of Germany. He has destroyed ten enemy aircraft, probably destroyed seven and damaged 15 as well as inflicting a great deal of damage to ground targets. Wing Commander Wickham is a most skilful operational pilot with a vast experience." | |
|
Died |
Basingstoke, Hampshire | 29 April 1970 | Died 29-Apr-70. |
| Lake Tanganyika |
