Operation: Ranger

Date: 16th June 1944 (Friday)

Unit: 305 Squadron (Polish) 138 Wing, 2 Group, 2nd Tactical Air Force

Type: Mosquito FB.VI

Serial: NS913

Code: SM:T

Base: RAF West Raynham, Norfolk

Location: Oue, Hadesund, Denmark

Pilot: Sqn.Ldr. Michael James Herrick DFC and Bar. 33566 RAF Age 23. Killed

Nav: Fg.Off. Aleksander Marcin Turski P-0862 PAF Age 36. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off from RAF West Raynham in Norfolk at 08:57 hrs to attack the Luftwaffe airfield at Aalborg in Denmark.

They were shot down by Lt. Robert Spreckels of JG11 in a Fw190. Both crew managed to bale out but sadly the Mosquito was too low. The navigator landed close to the crash site in woods at Oue, the body of the pilot washed up on the 4th July 1944.

Burial details:

Sqn.Ldr. Michael James Herrick DFC and Bar. Frederikshavn Cemetery. Grave 66. Born on the 5th May 1921 at Hastings, the son of Edward Jasper Herrick and Ethne Rose Herrick, of Hastings, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand.

His DFC was awarded whilst with 25 Sqn, Gazetted on the 24th September 1940. Citation reads: "Pilot Officer Michael James HERRICK (33566). During an interception patrol on the night of 4th September, 1940, Pilot Officer Herrick sighted two enemy aircraft and destroyed them both. In his attack against the second aircraft he succeeded in closing to within thirty yards and it fell in pieces under his fire".
His Bar to the DFC was awarded whilst with 15 Sqn, gazetted on the 22nd February 1944.
Also awarded the United States Air Medal posthumously for his service in the Pacific. The medal was presented to his parents in Wellington in July 1944.

Fg.Off. Aleksander Marcin Turski. (shown left) Frederikshavn Cemetery. Grave 65. Born on the 12th July 1907 at Ryczówek, Olkusz, Poland. No further details available, are you able to assist?

Above: Parents, Edward Jasper and Ethne Rose Herrick courtesy Jenifer Lemaire

The family of Plt.Off. Herrick suffered further losses. 6 sons served during the war, 3 were killed serving with the airforce. 2 others served with the Royal Navy and survived. Jasper, the eldest son joined the army, but the New Zealand authorities refused permission to allow him to go overseas.

Sqn.Ldr. Michael James Herrick DFC and bar 33566 RNZAF Killed on the 16th June 1944 whilst serving with 305 (Polish) Squadron.

Fg.Off. Brian Henry Herrick 42003 RNZAF Missing - believe killed on the 24th November 1940 whilst serving with 272 Squadron.

Cdr. Laurence Edward Herrick DSC. MiD and bar. Royal Navy - survived the war - passed on the 17th May 2010.

Cdr.Terence Desmond Herrick DSC and bar Royal Navy - survived the war - passed on the 15th April 2009.

Jasper Herrick Army - survived the war.

Cousin: Plt.Off. Peter Gersholm Herrick 88246 RNZAF Killed on the 25th September 1941 whilst serving with 245 Squadron.

Researched by Jenifer Lemaire (May 2019) and dedicated to the relatives of this crew also thanks to the research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland War Memorial Museum, Weekly News of New Zealand, Updated by Aircrew Remembered (Nov 2020), other sources as quoted below:

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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