de Havilland Moqsuito Mk.IV DZ642 / AZ-H of No.627 Sqn crash on Royl Field in the Clift Hills on Shetland on the 22nd November 1944

de Havilland Mosquito

 

John Alexander Reid Flight Lieutenant Pilot Killed
Wesley Douglas Irwin Flying Officer RCAF Navigator Killed

 

On the 22nd November 1944 nine aircraft from No.627 Squadron were tasked to take part in an attack on U-Boat pens at Trondheim, though 2 were cancelled and 1 landed on the outward leg at Montrose with fuel related problems. Their role was to drop target markers for main force aircraft to aim their bombs on.

The seven aircraft took off from No.627 Sqn’s home station at Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire and flew initially to RAF Lossiemouth where they were refuelled before taking off again for Trondheim. The aircraft which took part in the raid were to return to RAF Peterhead where they would again refuel before flying back to Woodhall Spa. Upon arrival in the Trondheim area the U-Boat pens were found to be obscured by a dense smoke screen, only one aircraft dropped any flares and the raid was called off by the Master Bomber. Two of the aircraft jettisoned their target markers before making the return journey to Peterhead, while two returned with their full load.

The crew of DZ642 were heard by the other aircraft calling for assistance from the Shetland islands while being low on fuel. They were given a course to steer for Scatsta, close to Sullom Voe, and at one point were brought within sight of the Sandra lights at Sumburgh. At that point they were warned of high ground in the area after which point nothing further was heard from the crew. The aircraft was presumed to have been lost at sea after flying away from Sumburgh, but it was found on the western side of Royl Field on the 6th December 1944 having flown into the high ground.

Memorial at the crash site of de Havilland Mosquito DZ642 on Royl Field, Clift Hills, Shetland
A memorial stone was erected at the crash site with a plaque giving the names of the two crew who perished in the crash.
Armour plate at the crash site of de Havilland Mosquito DZ642 on Royl Field, Clift Hills, Shetland
Close to memorial is some of the armour plating from the aircraft, including one of the seat back plates.
Rolls Royce Merlin engine at the crash site of de Havilland Mosquito DZ642 on Royl Field, Clift Hills, Shetland
Both of the Rolls Royce Merlin engines are at the crash site, though they are partly buried, this view has East and West Burra in the background.
Rolls Royce Merlin engine at the crash site of de Havilland Mosquito DZ642 on Royl Field, Clift Hills, Shetland
The second Rolls Royce Merlin is almost entirely buried, with only the rear part of one cylinder bank and the aupercharger still visible, the first engine is the light coloured feature towards the left hand edge of the picture.
Undercarriage at the crash site of de Havilland Mosquito DZ642 on Royl Field, Clift Hills, Shetland
The more complete of the two undercarriage oleos at the crash site, still with the remains of the wheel and tyre.
Wreckage at the crash site of de Havilland Mosquito DZ642 on Royl Field, Clift Hills, Shetland
One of the aircraft’s bomb racks, from which it carried target marking flares on the night it was lost.
Propeller at the crash site of de Havilland Mosquito DZ642 on Royl Field, Clift Hills, Shetland
A short distance away is one of the propeller hubs with the remains of the blades still in place.
Wreckage at the crash site of de Havilland Mosquito DZ642 on Royl Field, Clift Hills, Shetland
The second undercarriage oleo at the crash site is much more broken up, and lies close to the propeller.

 

The two crew were returned to their families for burial, F/O Irwin, while a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force, had married while in the UK and so was buried at the City of London Cemetery at Manor Park in East London.

Grave of Flying Officer Wesley Douglas Irwin at the City of London Cemetery, Manor Park