Mosquito Losses on the 15th January 1945

[Alex Smart]

Hi,

Seeking details of losses of the following Mosquito a/c lost on the 15th January 1945.

HP984 said to have been lost from 333 Sqn off Norway.
RS523 Ditched off Leirvik from 235 or 333 Sqn.

Fate of aircrews and their names are welcome.

Cannot find any note of these losses in the 333 Sqn ORB given on this website.

Alex

[Amrit1]

Alex,

this maybe a start:

January 15 1945.
A total of sixteen Mosquito aircraft from 143,235,248 and 333 squadrons attacked shipping in Lervik harbour, destroying two large merchant shins and sinking an armed trawler, the SEEHUND-Vp 5304 (Vornostenboot), they were usually ex-trawlers used for convoy escorts. These converted-armed trawlers were usually between 150 and 750 tons (the Seehund was 320 tons), and carry 88mm guns, 2Omm guns and machine guns. These were what the R.A.F. referred to as flak shios. Along with intense flak the strike force had to fight its way home through a pack of nine FW 190s.The fighting was fierce a MK XVIII Tsetse Mosquito firing its Molins gun at the attackers managing to frighten them off, but not before the strike force suffered serious losses. Six Mosquito’s were lost in the action, the heaviest losses sustained by the Banff wing in any one action. Amongst those killed was Wing Commander J.M. Guedj DSO, DFC, the popular Frenchman who had only been given Command of 143 squadron a few weeks previous and who had been a popular choice amongst the aircrews. His navigator Flight Lieutenant J.F. Langley was also killed in Mosquito "K" of 143 squadron. Other aircraft missing were Mosquito "D" of 143 squadron which crashed near Fjell, the pilot Flight Lieutenant G.A.M. Moncrieff missing, while navigator Flight Sergeant C. Cash’s body was recovered and buried in Mollendal Cemetery, Bergen. Mosquito "V" of 143 squadron was lost with pilot Lieutenant F.F. Alexander (USAF) and navigator J.A. Mcmullin. Mosquito "A" of 235 squadron shot down with pilot F. Chew who was buried in Mollendal Cemetery. While his navigator Flight Sergeant S.W. Couttie survived and was taken prisoner and Mosquito "R" of 333 squadron with pilot Q/M K. Sjolie and navigator C/M M.J.S. Gausland (Norwegians) also lost during the strike. This attack also proved to be 248 squadrons MK XVIII Tsetse Mosquito’s last sorties from Banff before leaving the base to leave the squadron to operate MK VI Mosquito’s only at Banff.

http://www.scotshistoryonline.co.uk/sorties.html

[mhuxt]

Alex:

The 333 Squadron loss is described starting at the bottom of 329 (of 432 - Adobe page number) of the AIR 27-1732 file. Crew as noted above, full names Kvm. Kåre Oscar Sjølie and Sjt. Ingvar Sigurd Gausland aircraft R of 333. Air Britain says this was HP904.

Andy Bird's excellent "A Separate Little War" says HP904 was hit by heavy-calibre flak as the wing commenced its attack on the ships. Aircraft A of 235 (RS523, Chew and Couttie) was also hit by flak and eventually had to ditch.

Total wing losses were five Mosquitos, the other three, all from 143 Squadron, being claimed by 190s, who also lost three of their number. I've not been able to link the squadron letters of the 143 Sqn aircraft to serial numbers - Maurice and Langley were in K, Alexandre and McMullin in V and Morton-Montcrieff and Cash in D. The MACR for this date is for Alexandre, who was a USAAF flyer.

I owe Andy an email, too...

Cheers,

Mark

[Alex Smart]

Hi,
Thanks for answers Guys.
mhuxt,
Which Air Britain Do you refer too ?My copy of HA100-HZ999 has HP904 as SOC16-7-47. But does have HP984 as Missing from shipping reconnaissance off Norway 15.1.45.
Amrit1,
Thanks, I looked but must have missed it in the Adobe section.
NE-K would have been one of these, PZ419, PZ442 or PZ460 all 143 Sqn a/c lost this day. any idea asto which they were ?

Alex

[mhuxt]

Hi Alex:

You're correct re: HP904/HP984. Finger trouble on my part.

[ATCCbengt]

Hi.

I am at work right now, but if I remember correctly, 143 Sqn ORB says that NE-K was PZ460. I can check it out when I get back home.

Regards
Bengt

[ATCCbengt]

Hello.
Sorry I'm late with the follow up on this tread.
As I wrote, 143 Sqn. ORB has codes and serial numbers for the Mosquitos and it says:

January 15. Departed Banff at 0930 hours for a anti shipping patrol Karmøy to Marstein together with 4 A/C 235 Sqdn and 4 A/C 248 Sqdn (Tsetse)
2 A/C 333 Sqdn as outrider and Guide outrider.
W/C. Maurice leading in K/143.

PZ460/K W/C. Maurice (French) and F/L. Langley. Missing
PZ419/D F/S. Moncrieff and F/S. Cash. Missing
PZ438/F P/O. Hawkey and W/O. Milloy.
PZ417/U S/L. Fitch and F/O. Parker.
PZ445/X F/O. Clause and F/O. Diggory.
PZ442/V Lt. Alexandre (USAAF) and F/S. McMullin. Missing

There is an appendix of almost 2 1/2 pages on this strike. To long to quote here.
One Mosquito from 235 Sqn. RS523/A and one from 333 Sqn. HP984/R was also lost.

Hope this helps.

Bengt

[mhuxt]

Many thanks for that Bengt, clears up several little mysteries.

A further question if I may - does the ORB or the appendix you refer to give any indication whether W/C Maurice's aircraft was damaged before he was bounced? I've read one or two accounts which claim he'd lost an engine but went on pressing home an attack on a ship.

[Alex Smart]

hello,

Thank you for the reply Bengt, details were most welcome.

mhuxt, the link to 333 Sqdn can be found in the "Sticky" Tagged threads at the start of the Webpage. Details of several squadrons ORB's are in there, also the RAAF ones can be accessed too.

All the very best to you both

Alex

[ATCCbengt]

Originally Posted by mhuxt

Many thanks for that Bengt, clears up several little mysteries.

A further question if I may - does the ORB or the appendix you refer to give any indication whether W/C Maurice's aircraft was damaged before he was bounced? I've read one or two accounts which claim he'd lost an engine but went on pressing home an attack on a ship.

Hi Mark.
The appendix give no indication that W/Cdr. Maurice's Mossie was hit by flak. It says that only one Mosquito was damaged by flak, Mosquito A/235 Squadron with one engine out of action. This aircraft was escorted by F/143 and V/143 (Lt. Alexandre and Sgt. McCullin). When the German fighters intercepted, V/143 and F/143 engaged three Fw 190s in an attempt to drive them away from the damaged Mosquito. V/143 was last seen by F/143 (which flew into a snow shower and lost it visually) braking hard to starboard.

There was much confusion (states the appendix) and frequent snow and hail showers did not help, exept that several Mosquitos used these showers to shake off prursuing German fighters.

The appendix is fascinating and in fact a good story.
Bengt