Mosquito in action

[wuzak]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-UUTo3wHds

At 47s, are those 1000lb MC/TIs or 500lb MC bombs?

 

[wuzak]

Or could they be 4000lb Medium Capacity bombs?

 

[Airframes]

They look more like T.Is - the 500lb bomb was smaller, and the 1,000 lb a different shape; the rounded nose and longer tail fin cone look very like target indicator munitions. Somewhere, I have the original soundtrack to this footage, on VHS, with a former Squadron member, who filmed this, describing that particular Op, and I seem to recall it was a typical mission for the squadron, - Pathfinder target marking.
I might be wrong, but as far as I know, the Mossie could carry 500lb bombs, TIs, or the 4,000 lb 'ccokie', but wasn't 'set up' for 1,000 lb bombs.

 

[wuzak]

You're right - they look like 1000lb TIs - which are very close to the size of the 1000lb MC bomb.

 

[mhuxt]

I'll add to the T.I. chorus, as they "fit the profile":

It also makes operational sense for them to be T.I.s, as those Mossies are from 627 Squadron, the low-level markers of 5 Group. Sharp and Bowyer say several hundred 1,000 lb T.I.s were dropped from Mosquitos, mostly in 1945 (Dresden being one target so marked by 627).

 

[wuzak]

Thanks mhuxt.

Do you know if it was one per plane or two?

 

[mhuxt]

Hi Wuzak, no worries.

Afraid I don't know in general terms, however I've a videotape here which includes an interview with a fellow by the last name of Topper, who was the first marker on the Dresden raid. He refers to "my 1,000 pound target indicator" in the singular. Dresden was a hell of a long way though.

The 627 Squadron ORB is available online - 3 and a half quid per month. One of the early months of 1945 may offer some insight into individual loads.

 

[wuzak]

627 Squadron in retirement

Target DRESDEN. 1 x 1000 TI Red returned to base as not required.
Primary Green fell on time and also flares making the MP immediately visible. Aircraft dropped TI which was assessed by Marker 2 at 100 yards E. This was passed to controller who requested backing up by all Markers. This was well carried out, the resulting concentration was 400 yards E to W across MP. Markers were visible through cloud. Markers called off and main force told to bomb Red TIs. Markers ordered home. Marker leader stayed to watch bombing which was very good. There was a large explosion in the SE of the target followed by an electric blue flash of 3 seconds duration.

Bomb Loads.

10 Red TIs - 2 Yellow - 8 Wanganuis (Flares)

I'm a little confused. There were 8 aircraft on the mission and 10 TIs?

 

[wuzak]

The 627 Squadron ORB is available online - 3 and a half quid per month. One of the early months of 1945 may offer some insight into individual loads.

Do you have a link so I can check it out?

 

[mhuxt]

This should allow you to search:

The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Refine Browse Criteria

Not sure why there are 10 T.I.s, maybe two of the aircraft had 2x500s.

I hope this won't turn into a Dresden thread, I only mentioned it as I knew for certain a 1,000 lb T.I. had been used.

 

[wuzak]

Thanks, I will look through that later.

 

[wuzak]

I didn't have to look far.

1/1/1945
627 Squadron

Target: Ladhergen Dortmund Ems Canal (day mission?, S/L reported as up at 8.42, down 13.06)
Mosquito B.IV DZ.606 2 x 1000lb Red TI
Mosquito B.IV DZ.611 TIs hung up and returned to base. No mention of size of TIs

Target: Mitteland Canal, Gravenhorst
Mosquito B.IV DZ.461 2 x 1000lb Red TI
Mosquito B.IV DZ.611 1 x 1000lb Red TI
Mosquito B.IV DZ.643 1 x 1000lb Yellow TI, 1 x 1000lb Red TI
Mosquito B.XX KB.345 2 x 250lb Red TI. 1 x 250lb Yellow TI and 1 x Wanganui flare returned to base not required

Would these support the idea that 2 x 1000lb MC bombs could be carried in a Mosquito?

 

[wuzak]

I can now confirm that 2 x 1000lb bombs were carried operationally by Mosquitos.

627 Squadron ORB, 31/12/1943, Target: Gestapo Headquarters, Oslo

KB416 4 x 500lb MC
DZ461 2 x 1000lb MC
DZ611 2 x 1000lb MC
DZ530 4 x 500lb MC
DZ606 2 x 1000lb GP
KB345 4 x 500lb MC
DZ633 2 x 1000lb GP
DZ643 2 x 1000lb MC
DZ641 2 x 1000lb MC
DZ637 4 x 500lb MC
KB122 4 x 500lb MC
KB362 4 x 500lb MC

On the 29th 627 Squadron did some mining in the Elbe River.
Some of them specify bomb load as B.244, which I assume is a buoyancy bomb. Other refer to a P.640 or P.638. What are those?

 

[mhuxt]

Sorry wuzak, I've no information on any of those - I've never found much on air-dropped mines.

 

[wuzak]

Thanks for the link, though.

It has been informative. Some ORBs are difficult to read and some have very little useful information. But it's great that some have provided confirmation that Mosquitoes could carry 2 x 1000lb GP or MC bombs.

 

[stug3]

Wing Commander H I Edwards VC (left), leader of the De Havilland Mosquito B Mark IVs of Nos. 105 and 139 Squadrons RAF on the raid, and his navigator approach their aircraft before taking off from Marham, Norfolk to take part in Operation OYSTER, the daylight attack on the Philips radio and valve works at Eindhoven, Holland, Dec 6 1942.

Ground crews prepare De Havilland Mosquito B Mark IV, DK336, of No. 105 Squadron RAF for the raid at Marham, Norfolk.

A De Havilland Mosquito B Mark IV of No. 105 Squadron RAF taking off for Eindhoven from Marham, Norfolk.

Mosquito B Mark IV Series 2, DK338, in flight after completion. DK338 served with No. 105 Squadron RAF as 'GB-O', and took part in the successful low-level raid on the Phillips radio factory at Eindhoven, Holland.