8 January 1945 NS927 Mosquito 305 Squadron

[Luc Vervoort]

Hi,

On 8 January 1945 F/O. E.Nutall (pilot) and Sgt.W.R.Wills (navigator) made an emergency landing at Florennes airfield (Belgium) during operation no.386 (eleven aircraft made an attack on enemy road and rail movements). Both had joined 305 Squadron on 3/01/1945 from 2 GSU. The cause of this emergency landing is not mentioned in the orb of the Squadron (AIR 27/1672) and the aircraft was soon back in service.

Looking for the full names, service numbers of both and any additional info about this emergency landing.

Many thanks and best regards

Luc

[Mieszko]

Hello Luc,

F/O Eric Nuttall, 138113 RAFVR. I believe the correct spelling is with two “t’s”.

He was involved in a mid-air collision while with 35 SFTS, North Battleford, Canada.
Here’s a link to the accident report via CASPIR (Canadian Aircraft Serials Personnel Information Resourse)

https://caspir.warplane.com/crashcar...7/00000245.pdf

SGT W.R. Wills remains a mystery. All the documents I have list him as “W.R. Wills”. He was promoted to F/SGT on 12/01/1945.

As for Mosquito Mk VI NS927, SM-C;
The Aircraft Movement Card for NS927 has “8/1/45 FB latE missing 8/1/45 TAF/CAS/598”
Aircraft Authorization Book for 305 Sqn has: 7.1.45 - aircraft C - F/O Nuttall - Sgt Wills - Operations – departure 5:35 – landed 7:45 – total flight time 2:10 – D.C.O. Landed at Florennes.

According to the AAB for 305 Sqn, SM-C did not fly again till the 20th of January.

It would appear that operation no.386 on 7/01/1945 was the first operational flight for Nuttall/Wills with 305 Sqn. They did not fly again till the 21st of January.

There is no mention of why Nuttall/Wills landed at Florennes (damaged, weather, injuries, etc.).

Hope this helps some,
Mieszko

[Luc Vervoort]

Hello Mieszko,


Many thanks for your very interesting reply.


Checked The London Gazette, as I received from you his serial number, for F/O. Nuttall. His name is written with two ‘tt’s as you mentioned.
Using the same source I could only find one W.R.Wills : William Robert 196109. He was RAF(VR) and is also mentioned a few times in The London Gazette. Perhaps he has the navigator of this Mosquito.


Best regards from an almost tropical Belgium


Luc