[Adriano Baumgartner]

Hi Norman!
This is from the RCAF site I mentioned before:

HAYS, P/O Raymond Morris (J88928) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.544 Squadron (deceased) - Award effective 24 April 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 918/45 dated 1 June 1945. American in the RCAF. Born 1913 in Ashland, Oregon; home in Long Beach, California. Trained at No.6 ITS, No.20 EFTS and No.16 SFTS. Commissioned July 1944. Killed in action 30 March 1945 (Mosquito MM386); buried in United Kingdom.

This officer was the pilot of an aircraft detailed for a reconnaissance covering the Leipzig area in March 1945. Whilst over the target, two enemy fighters attempted to close in. Pilot Officer Hays took violent evading action. Much height was lost. At this stage another enemy aircraft joined the fight. Pilot Officer Hays manoeuvred with great skill and although his aircraft was hit he succeeded in evading the attackers. The starboard engine had been badly damaged but course was set for home. Later on the return flight the aircraft was attacked by another fighter. Pilot Officer Hays manoeuvred with superb skill. Although the aircraft sustained further damage and the navigator was wounded, this pilot succeeded in evading the fighter. He afterwards flew to a landing ground in Allied territory. This officer, who has completed many sorties, has consistently shown courage and resolution.

It seems more probable that this accident was with MM396. But on the record of Mosquito serial numbers, I found that MM396 stalled on take off. ( Very strange that a very experienced crew would stall a Mosquito in normal conditions. I am trying to discover IF they suffered any kind of mechanical failure like: engine fire, the lost of a propeller, etc...)
Very useful information. Thanks to both of you and Rafcommand, whose name I do not know!
Yours sincerely as ever
Adriano