Mosquito Crash, 21 Sqdn, 23/04/1945
 

Who can tell more about this crash:

Type: Mosquito
Serial number: ?
Operation: ?
Lost: 23/04/1945
Flying Officer (Pilot) George R. Nowell, RCAF J/26775, 21 Sqdn, age 21, 23/04/1945, Schoonebeek (Oud Schoonebeek) General Cemetery
Warrant Officer Class II (Nav.) John A. Haugh, RAFVR 1451249, 21 Sqdn, age 22, 23/04/1945, Schoonebeek (Oud Schoonebeek) General Cemetery

It's the last of the (at least) ten RAF aircraft that crashed in the war in the area of my birthplace Emmen - 48 RAF, RAAF and RCAF airmen are buried in the two CWGC cemeteries in the area. Which was by then already liberated by the 1st Polish Armoured Division.

Regards,

Bart

Re: Mosquito Crash, 21 Sqdn, 23/04/1945
 

Bart,

According this site http://www.dehavilland.ukf.net/_DH98%20prodn%20list.txt Mosquito RS532 of 21 Squadron went missing on 23.4.45.

Parts of RS532 were dug up by KLu/RNLAF nr Schoonebeek in 1977.

Groet,

Leendert

Re: Mosquito Crash, 21 Sqdn, 23/04/1945
 

Thanks, Leendert.

Regards,

Bart

Re: Mosquito Crash, 21 Sqdn, 23/04/1945
 

Just as confirmation:

Quote:

NOWELL, F/O George Richard (J26775) - Mention in Despatches - No.21 Squadron (deceased) - Award effective 1 January 1946 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 155/46 dated 15 February 1946. Home in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Trained at No.2 ITS, No.2 EFTS and No.11 SFTS. Killed in action 23 April 1945 (Mosquito RS532); buried in Holland.

http://www.airforce.ca/wwii/ALPHA-NI.html

A

Re: Mosquito Crash, 21 Sqdn, 23/04/1945
 

Thanks, Amrit.

Still no clues on its mission? Visited the grave site this monday and I really wondered: how and why did they end up here?

Regards,

Bart

Re: Mosquito Crash, 21 Sqdn, 23/04/1945
 

Family of George R. Nowell were told it was a reconnaissance mission which was shot down over Holland.

Pam Nowell (Sister of George R. Nowell)

Re: Mosquito Crash, 21 Sqdn, 23/04/1945
 

Bart,
Are we talking about the Mosquito that crashed north of Westerbosch at about 05.15 hrs ? They were tasked to patrol the Bremen - Wilhelmshaven area. The crew baled out but from a too low altitude and the parachutes didn't open properly.
Regards,
Henk.