RESIDENTS are invited to discover the tragic events that led to a failed raid during  Second World War.

To coincide with the 80th anniversary of Operation Freshman, join Dr Bruce Tocher in the Army Flying Museum at Middle Wallop, Hampshire and online, as he lifts the veil on the tragic events of this lesser-known mission.

The successful attack on the Heavy Water Facility at Vemork in Norway in February of 1943 is rightly regarded as one of the most daring special forces raids of the Second World War and over the years, many books have been written about this raid – Operation Gunnerside – also being well portrayed in many films, television series and documentaries. 

However, what is less well known, is the earlier attempt to destroy this target due to concerns from the British War Cabinet that heavy water was being used as part of Nazi Germany’s programme to develop a nuclear bomb.  We now know this raid as Operation Freshman.  A raid that failed tragically, with 41 of the 48 soldiers and airmen involved losing their lives.

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Due to the secrecy of the mission which took place in November 1942, very little information was provided to the families of the servicemen at the time, and it was only after the war ended, that the true story emerged.

Dr Tocher will tell the story of the mission and the aircraft involved, including the failures in the navigation and guidance systems and the horrors that emerged from statements made at the War Crimes trials.

The Army Flying Museum has gained great respect for its lecture series and this special event will also be live-streamed on the museum’s website, as well as available to a limited audience at the museum itself. A live Q&A session will take place following the talk with both live and online audience members able to participate.

Tickets to attend the event in the museum on Tuesday, November 22 at 7pm are just £10, with online pay per view £6. 

The presentation will also be recorded for catch-up viewing after the event through the museum website.