Mosquitopanik! by Martin W. Bowman

Author:Martin W. Bowman
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781783034529
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Published: 2013-07-11T16:00:00+00:00

On 21 November, 136 Wing was created within 2nd TAF by the arrival, from Fighter Command, of Nos. 418 and 605 Squadrons, which transferred to Hartford Bridge. That month fourteen enemy aircraft fell to the guns of the 2nd TAF Mosquito night predators.

The signs in December 1944 were that the weather and other factors would limit Mosquito night fighter activity over the Reich. Only three Ju88s and two Bf110s were destroyed between 4 and 18–19 December. On the last, Flight Lieutenant C. E. Edinger RCAF and Flying Officer C. C. Vaessen of 410 Squadron in NFXXX MV527, shot down a Ju88 south of Bonninghardt. Wing Commander James D. Somerville DFC, now in command of 409 Squadron, scored his sixth confirmed victory, flying NFXIII MM456 with Flying Officer G. D. Robinson DFC, when they dispatched a Ju88 in the Kaiserworth area. Somerville wrote:

While patrolling at Angels 10 under 15119 Control (Squadron Leader Allen) we were vectored south as the Hun was reported to be active in the American Sector. We were then advised of trade and after receiving initial vectors of 130 and 280, we were vectored 190. Controller advised us that he was keeping us on a slightly converging course to bring us in behind the target beyond the ‘Hot Spot’ at the same time, instructing to reduce to Angels 7. We started down but as the Control then advised that the target had started to climb, we levelled out at Angels 9. AI contact was obtained at a range of 5 miles and closing rapidly, I obtained a visual at 1600 ft. Closing to 800 ft below and directly beneath, both my navigator and I recognized the target as a Ju 88, flying at approximately 160 mph indicated, which necessitated my lowering my undercarriage to prevent overshooting. At this juncture, the E/A turned west and started to dive.

I followed, and overtook the E/A with an indicated speed of 270 mph. I closed to 600 ft and pulled up, but did not fire as I momentarily lost visual owing to a dark cloud in the background. I closed to within 300 ft and opened fire. I observed strikes on the fuselage but no flames. I attempted to re-open fire but my guns had jammed so I continued to follow the aircraft down, which by this time was doing hard evasive–making hard peel offs to starboard and port, until it finally dove in from 1500 ft. my navigator and I both saw it hit the ground and explode with a brilliant flash but it did not appear to burn on the ground.

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