Mosquito Mk XVI NS555 ,High Wycombe Buckinghamshire 8th June 1944, RAF Watton

A work trip meant a chance to see if I could find a crash site near High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire and I was lucky to be able to find the site thanks to a very old picture from the recovery of remains in 1972.

Mosquito PR Mk XVI NS555 of the 802 Recon group, 8th provisional recon squadron at RAF Watton was tasked to fly a ‘Rooster‘ mission over the invasion beaches on the 8th June 1944. Taking off from Watton the plane with 2 crew headed south and out over the channel, the 2 experienced men on-board Pilot Cpt. Walter C Gernand and 10 mission veteran cameraman Sgt. Ebbet C Lynch completed the photo run and headed back over the English coast to a refuel stop at RAF Middle Wallop.

Leaving Middle Wallop NS555 climbed on its final leg home into overcast weather, later near High Wycombe around 7pm locals could hear a plane in trouble above the clouds, the engines were being throttled on and off power.

Suddenly NS555 was seen to break out of the clouds in a near vertical dive both engines at full power, beyond recovery the mosquito turned slightly before impacting a railway embankment just off London Road near Pinions Bridge [now gone]. Tragically both crew were lost with the plane.

An investigation was held into the crash and recorded a verdict of loss of control whilst on instruments.

Walking on top of the embankment nothing can be seen of this sad loss but a clear patch on the bank and a break in the trees. A dig carried of the out by members of the Wellsbourne Adult Education centre recovered remains and one of the Merlin engines now resides in the De Havilland aircraft museum Salisbury hall, London Colney.