Operation Freshman

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HTML: <a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/5932?utm_source=ukniwm&utm_medium=rw&utm_campaign=wmalaunch" target="_blank"> <img src="https://media.iwm.org.uk/ciim5/memorials/59/743/mid_174_skitten_airfield.jpg?action=e&cat" alt="Operation Freshman"> </a> Operation Freshman <a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/corporate/privacy-copyright">© Scottish War Memorials Project (WMR-5932)</a> BBCode: [url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/5932?utm_source=ukniwm&utm_medium=rw&utm_campaign=wmalaunch][img]https://media.iwm.org.uk/ciim5/memorials/59/743/mid_174_skitten_airfield.jpg?action=e&cat[/img][/url] [url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/5932?utm_source=ukniwm&utm_medium=rw&utm_campaign=wmalaunch]Operation Freshman.[/url] [url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/corporate/privacy-copyright]© Scottish War Memorials Project (WMR-5932)[/url]
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The image is free to reuse for non-commercial purposes under the IWM Non Commercial Licence. By downloading any images or embedding any media, you agree to the terms and conditions of the IWM Non Commercial Licence, including your use of the attribution statement specified by IWM. For this item, that is: © Scottish War Memorials Project (WMR-5932)

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HTML: <a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/5932?utm_source=ukniwm&utm_medium=rw&utm_campaign=wmalaunch" target="_blank"> <img src="https://media.iwm.org.uk/ciim5/memorials/59/744/mid_175_skitten_airfield.jpg?action=e&cat" alt="Operation Freshman"> </a> Operation Freshman <a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/corporate/privacy-copyright">© Scottish War Memorials Project (WMR-5932)</a> BBCode: [url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/5932?utm_source=ukniwm&utm_medium=rw&utm_campaign=wmalaunch][img]https://media.iwm.org.uk/ciim5/memorials/59/744/mid_175_skitten_airfield.jpg?action=e&cat[/img][/url] [url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/5932?utm_source=ukniwm&utm_medium=rw&utm_campaign=wmalaunch]Operation Freshman.[/url] [url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/corporate/privacy-copyright]© Scottish War Memorials Project (WMR-5932)[/url]
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The image is free to reuse for non-commercial purposes under the IWM Non Commercial Licence. By downloading any images or embedding any media, you agree to the terms and conditions of the IWM Non Commercial Licence, including your use of the attribution statement specified by IWM. For this item, that is: © Martin Briscoe (WMR-5932)

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HTML: <a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/5932?utm_source=ukniwm&utm_medium=rw&utm_campaign=wmalaunch" target="_blank"> <img src="https://media.iwm.org.uk/ciim5/memorials/59/739/mid_02_j_m_briscoe_ph33_6ug14_05_2011_18_28_00_937903.jpg?action=e&cat" alt="Operation Freshman"> </a> Operation Freshman <a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/corporate/privacy-copyright">© Martin Briscoe (WMR-5932)</a> BBCode: [url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/5932?utm_source=ukniwm&utm_medium=rw&utm_campaign=wmalaunch][img]https://media.iwm.org.uk/ciim5/memorials/59/739/mid_02_j_m_briscoe_ph33_6ug14_05_2011_18_28_00_937903.jpg?action=e&cat[/img][/url] [url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/5932?utm_source=ukniwm&utm_medium=rw&utm_campaign=wmalaunch]Operation Freshman.[/url] [url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/corporate/privacy-copyright]© Martin Briscoe (WMR-5932)[/url]
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This image was created and shared by: Martin Briscoe

The image is free to reuse for non-commercial purposes under the IWM Non Commercial Licence. By downloading any images or embedding any media, you agree to the terms and conditions of the IWM Non Commercial Licence, including your use of the attribution statement specified by IWM. For this item, that is: © Martin Briscoe (WMR-5932)

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HTML: <a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/5932?utm_source=ukniwm&utm_medium=rw&utm_campaign=wmalaunch" target="_blank"> <img src="https://media.iwm.org.uk/ciim5/memorials/59/740/mid_03_j_m_briscoe_ph33_6ug14_05_2011_18_28_26_938703.jpg?action=e&cat" alt="Operation Freshman"> </a> Operation Freshman <a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/corporate/privacy-copyright">© Martin Briscoe (WMR-5932)</a> BBCode: [url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/5932?utm_source=ukniwm&utm_medium=rw&utm_campaign=wmalaunch][img]https://media.iwm.org.uk/ciim5/memorials/59/740/mid_03_j_m_briscoe_ph33_6ug14_05_2011_18_28_26_938703.jpg?action=e&cat[/img][/url] [url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/5932?utm_source=ukniwm&utm_medium=rw&utm_campaign=wmalaunch]Operation Freshman.[/url] [url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/corporate/privacy-copyright]© Martin Briscoe (WMR-5932)[/url]
Use this image under non-commercial licence

This image was created and shared by: Martin Briscoe

The image is free to reuse for non-commercial purposes under the IWM Non Commercial Licence. By downloading any images or embedding any media, you agree to the terms and conditions of the IWM Non Commercial Licence, including your use of the attribution statement specified by IWM. For this item, that is: © Martin Briscoe (WMR-5932)

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HTML: <a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/5932?utm_source=ukniwm&utm_medium=rw&utm_campaign=wmalaunch" target="_blank"> <img src="https://media.iwm.org.uk/ciim5/memorials/59/741/mid_04_j_m_briscoe_ph33_6ug14_05_2011_18_28_03_938003.jpg?action=e&cat" alt="Operation Freshman"> </a> Operation Freshman <a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/corporate/privacy-copyright">© Martin Briscoe (WMR-5932)</a> BBCode: [url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/5932?utm_source=ukniwm&utm_medium=rw&utm_campaign=wmalaunch][img]https://media.iwm.org.uk/ciim5/memorials/59/741/mid_04_j_m_briscoe_ph33_6ug14_05_2011_18_28_03_938003.jpg?action=e&cat[/img][/url] [url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/5932?utm_source=ukniwm&utm_medium=rw&utm_campaign=wmalaunch]Operation Freshman.[/url] [url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/corporate/privacy-copyright]© Martin Briscoe (WMR-5932)[/url]
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This image was created and shared by: Martin Briscoe

The image is free to reuse for non-commercial purposes under the IWM Non Commercial Licence. By downloading any images or embedding any media, you agree to the terms and conditions of the IWM Non Commercial Licence, including your use of the attribution statement specified by IWM. For this item, that is: © Martin Briscoe (WMR-5932)

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HTML: <a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/5932?utm_source=ukniwm&utm_medium=rw&utm_campaign=wmalaunch" target="_blank"> <img src="https://media.iwm.org.uk/ciim5/memorials/59/742/mid_05_j_m_briscoe_ph33_6ug14_05_2011_18_28_23_938603.jpg?action=e&cat" alt="Operation Freshman"> </a> Operation Freshman <a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/corporate/privacy-copyright">© Martin Briscoe (WMR-5932)</a> BBCode: [url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/5932?utm_source=ukniwm&utm_medium=rw&utm_campaign=wmalaunch][img]https://media.iwm.org.uk/ciim5/memorials/59/742/mid_05_j_m_briscoe_ph33_6ug14_05_2011_18_28_23_938603.jpg?action=e&cat[/img][/url] [url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/5932?utm_source=ukniwm&utm_medium=rw&utm_campaign=wmalaunch]Operation Freshman.[/url] [url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/corporate/privacy-copyright]© Martin Briscoe (WMR-5932)[/url]
Use this image under non-commercial licence

This image was created and shared by: Martin Briscoe

The image is free to reuse for non-commercial purposes under the IWM Non Commercial Licence. By downloading any images or embedding any media, you agree to the terms and conditions of the IWM Non Commercial Licence, including your use of the attribution statement specified by IWM. For this item, that is: © Martin Briscoe (WMR-5932)

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Use this image under non-commercial licence

This image was created and shared by: Martin Briscoe

The image is free to reuse for non-commercial purposes under the IWM Non Commercial Licence. By downloading any images or embedding any media, you agree to the terms and conditions of the IWM Non Commercial Licence, including your use of the attribution statement specified by IWM. For this item, that is: © Martin Briscoe (WMR-5932)

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HTML: <a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/5932?utm_source=ukniwm&utm_medium=rw&utm_campaign=wmalaunch" target="_blank"> <img src="https://media.iwm.org.uk/ciim5/memorials/60/27/mid_08_j_m_briscoe_ph33_6ug14_05_2011_18_28_14_938303.jpg?action=e&cat" alt="Operation Freshman"> </a> Operation Freshman <a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/corporate/privacy-copyright">© Martin Briscoe (WMR-5932)</a> BBCode: [url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/5932?utm_source=ukniwm&utm_medium=rw&utm_campaign=wmalaunch][img]https://media.iwm.org.uk/ciim5/memorials/60/27/mid_08_j_m_briscoe_ph33_6ug14_05_2011_18_28_14_938303.jpg?action=e&cat[/img][/url] [url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/5932?utm_source=ukniwm&utm_medium=rw&utm_campaign=wmalaunch]Operation Freshman.[/url] [url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/corporate/privacy-copyright]© Martin Briscoe (WMR-5932)[/url]

Memorial details

Memorial type

Board / Plaque / Tablet

District

Caithness

Town

about 1.5 miles north west of Reiss

County

Highland

Country

Scotland

Commemoration

Second World War (1939-1945)

Ceremony

Unveiled
Date: 5 September 1992
Attended by: Local Clergy/Dignitaries
Dedicated
Date: 5 September 1992
Attended by: Local Clergy/Dignitaries
Show More (1)

Lost

Not lost

WM Reference

5932

Current location

On the roadside of the former airfield at Skitten North of Wick.
Skitten Airfield (Former)
Roadside on B876
about 1.5 miles north west of Reiss
Caithness
Highland
KW1 4RX
Scotland

OS Grid Ref: ND 32028 56356
Denomination: Undefined

View location on Google Maps

Description

Bronze Plaque inset into the main RAF Skitten Memorial (our reference 5931)

Inscription

OPERATION FRESHMAN/ IN MEMORIAM/ THIS MEMORIAL IS TO HONOUR AND COMMEMORATE/ ALL RANKS OF THE ROYAL ENGINEER COMMANDOS/ ARMY AND ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE GLIDER/ PILOTS THE AIRCREW OF HALIFAX "B" BAKER/ No W7801, WHO PERISHED IN NORWAY/ TAKING PART IN OPERATION FRESHMAN./ THIS MISSION WAS TO DESTROY THE VITAL SOURCE OF/ HEAVY WATER PRODUCTION AT VERMORK NORWAY THUS/ TEMPORARILY PREVENTING GERMAN ATOMIC RESEARCH./ "OPERATION FRESHMAN" COMMENCED ON THE NIGHT/ OF 19TH NOVEMBER 1942 BY TWO "HORSA" GLIDERS/ TOWED BY HALIFAX BOMBERS FROM R.A.F. SKITTEN/ CAITHNESS. ONE HALIFAX ALONE RETURNED/" VIVIL HUSKE DEM/" THE PRICE THAT WAS PAID/ WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER/ EVERY DAY EVERY MONTH NOT JUST NOVEMBER./ (Names)

Inscription legible?

yes

Names on memorial

Allen, A C
Bailey, E W
Belfield, J T V
Bevan, H
Blackburn, J F
Bonner, F
Brae, F W
Buckton, A
Cairncross, J D
Campbell
See details for all 42 names

Commemorations

Second World War (1939-1945)
Total names on memorial: 42
Served and returned: 0
Died: 42
Exact count: yes
Information shown: surname,rank,regiment, initials of forenames
Order of information: surname

Components

Plaques
Measurements: Undefined
Materials: Bronze
Cairn
Measurements: Undefined
Materials: Granite

Condition

If you know the condition of this memorial, please help by adding details

History

The name plaque on the memorial was added at a later date.

Trust fund/Scholarship

No
Purpose: Unknown or N/A

Responsibility

Royal British Legion Scotland (Wick Branch).

Reference

Scottish War Memorials Project-warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=4658&mforum=warmemscot
MHG19457 - Skitten Airfield her.highland.gov.uk/monument/MHG19457
MHG54931 - War memorial, Skitten Airfield her.highland.gov.uk/monument/MHG54931
Don Mason, 'Operation Freshman 60th Anniversary Ceremony', 20 November 2002, www.caithness.org/wings/freshman/. (includes details of a video which was published in 2002)
Iain Grant, 'Soldiers who tried to scupper Hitlers atomic plans honored', The Press and Journal Thursday November 21st 2002, 60th anniversary ceremony, Angus Edition, p.12.

This record comprises all information held by IWM’s War Memorials Register for this memorial. Where we hold a names list for the memorial, this information will be displayed on the memorial record. Please check back as we are adding more names to the database.

This information is made available under a Creative Commons BY-NC licence.

This means you may reuse it for non-commercial purposes only and must attribute it to us using the following statement:

For queries, please contact [email protected]

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Memorial details

Current location