A quick revisit to 4 sites in the peaks after leaving my phone with all my pictures on a friend's car roof on my last visit.
On the night of the 22nd of October 1944 a lone Mosquito flew into the high ground of the Peak District, the 2 crew struggling with a failing plane had survived a raid over Germany but tragically would be lost over England.
Mosquito PF395 of 571 sqn took off with 10 other aircraft on a F.N.S.F [Fast Night Striking Force ] Mission from RAF Oakington, Cambridge to Hamburg. After raiding the city PF395 set course home but it was already in trouble, the Navigator reported to another plane that the port engine was giving trouble and was being shut down, falling out of touch with its sqn mates PF395 limped towards home.
Missing its base by 60 miles due to the loss of the radio and navigation aids, as the port engine supplied power to these systems, the crew searching for some ref on the ground didn't see the mass of Dovestones, Chew Valley, hitting the rocky slope the plane was destroyed both crew were killed.
At the site today just a few small parts rest in a collection at the bottom of the slope, 70ft higher in the rocks at the impact point I found a tiny collection of wood and red flakes of fuel tank coating, nearby was one small alloy bit and some perspex.
Crew=
F/O D.Scotland
Sgt H.Soan
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