We Sons of World War Two Vets Episode 5. Richard and Thomas
Apr 16, 2025
Richard Hicks, an engineer and inventor who taught at Wormwood Scrubs, shares fascinating stories about his father, Thomas Henwood Hicks, a Wellington bomber pilot with 458 Squadron. Richard recounts Thomas’s incredible luck in combat, leading his crew to believe he was in league with the devil. The conversation dives into the high-stakes world of wartime flying, the psychological impact on pilots, and the emotional scars carried by veterans. Richard also reflects on his father's journey and the legacy left behind, blending humor with poignant memories.
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Training Was Often More Deadly Than Combat
- Low-level training caused heavy training casualties and hardened surviving pilots before combat.
- Command shortcomings and dangerous training conditions likely raised fatality rates significantly.
Pathfinder Duties And The 90° Drop Escape
- As a pathfinder in the Mediterranean he dropped flares to silhouette enemy shipping and faced high fighter threat.
- He used a risky 90-degree wing flip dive taught by an Australian to evade Messerschmitts and survive many attacks.
He Became His Crew's Lucky Charm
- Thomas's crew treated him as a talismanic 'lucky' pilot who survived numerous scrapes, leading them to refuse flying with others.
- The crew even made a pact to report sick together to avoid missions without him.
