Machines - Mosquito

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 The de Havilland Mosquito was undoubtedly one of the most versatile and innovative aircraft of the Second World War. Although designed as a bomber, it saw service as a fighter as well -- and in a wide variety of other roles as well.

 

De Havilland sold the concept of the Mosquito to the Air Ministry in part by arguing that unlike metal alloys required in other aircraft, the Mosquito could be made of wood, a more-readily available material. It was also, radically, conceived as an unarmed bomber that would rely on its speed alone to escape the ravages of enemy fighters. It had a crew of just two, a pilot and navigator that sat side-by-side, and the bomber variant had no defensive armament. Overall, it was so light that it could carry a payload of initially 2,000 lbs later 4,000 lbs. despite its diminutive size (it's wingspan was roughly half that of the "heavies.") In it's final iterations, the Mosquito achieved a maximum speed of 415 mph and a service ceiling of 44,000 feet and was probably used in more roles than any other aircraft of the Second World War.

As early as 1940, the Air Ministry recognized the possibility of transforming the Mosquito bomber into a long-range, twin-engined fighter, similar to the Me 110, and so both bomber and fighter prototypes were ordered.  The fighters were armed with four 20 mm cannons in the belly and another four .303 Browning machine guns in the nose. By extending the wingspan five feet to 59 feet, replacing the bomber control column with a fighter stick, removing some of the fuel tanks, and a few other modifications, it was possible for the Mosquito to operate at the then astonishing height of 43,000 feet, a design requirement for intercepting German high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft. 

Soon, however, the emphasis shifted to the possibility for modifying the Mosquito for night fighter service. The wings were again stretched, now to 62 feet, the machine guns moved below the fuselage. Yet more powerful Merlin engines were fitted. The key feature on these night fighters, however, was airborne radar that could be monitored by the second man on board. The Mosquitos preyed upon the German night fighters (e.g. Ju88s, Me110s) that were responsible for the bulk of the bomber losses. In the course of the war, Mosquitos brought down more than 600 German night fighters.

In early 1942 a new role for the Mosquito was discovered. It was decided that the Mosquito would make an ideal "fighter-bomber," that is a tactical support or anti-submarine aircraft armed with both guns and bombs. While retaining its guns and cannon, the Mosquito was re-equipped to carry two 250 or 500 pound bombs as well. From fighter-bomber in the anti-submarine role to torpedo-bomber was only a small step, so the Mosquito was soon modified to carry torpedoes.

Meanwhile, the Mosquito bombers were proving their astonishing versatility and effectiveness as precision weapons. One particular target allocated the fast Mosquitos were enemy night fighter bases, for example, where they could strike low and fast and make good an escape before the enemy could properly respond. 

Meanwhile, the poor accuracy of early bombing efforts had resulted in the creation of the "Pathfinder" Force. The Pathfinders were supposed to mark targets with colored flares that could be seen from 15,000 feet and more, so that the main bomber force, rather than trying to see through cloud and smoke and enemy decoys, could bomb on the "target indicators." The Pathfinders themselves were required to place those flares with the greatest accuracy possible, and it was eventually proved (not without controversy and rivalries, it must be said) that low-flying aircraft proved most effective in accurately identifying and marking a target. It was much easier and safer for a fast, light maneuverable aircraft like the Mosquito to fly low and mark a target than for a heavy bomber like the Lancaster to do it. Soon entire Pathfinder squadrons were equipped with Mosquitos.

Mosquitoes were almost inevitably also used as training aircraft, and, given their high-ceiling were pressed into service as photo-reconnaissance aircraft alongside the Spitfire. Another role suited to the "Mossie" (as they were affectionately called) was the transport high-value (sometimes human) cargoes across enemy held territory. Yet perhaps the most glamorous role devised for the Mosquito was "Special Operations." 

Mosquitos could also land in enemy occupied territory and disembark -- or embark -- passengers -- and then take off again from comparatively small and rough grass fields. These clandestine missions to deliver or retrieve spies were cloaked in secrecy during the war and seem largely forgotten since. More spectacular and famous were the Mosquitos that, flying low and fast, proved capable of remarkably precise daylight attacks. Among others they destroyed Gestapo headquarters in the middle of Copenhagen with almost no collateral civilian casualties. They also blew open the Amiens Gestapo prison, enabling more than 200 French Resistance fighters to escape. Perhaps most cheeky (if less important) Mosquitos flew over Berlin on the 10th anniversary of Hitler's "seizure of power" and knocked out the main broadcasting station while Goering was speaking; later in the day they disrupted the Nazi parades in an impudent demonstration of Hitler's waning military power.

Usually a design asked to perform a variety of different functions ends up looking more like a camel than a thorough-bred. The Mosquito was the exception and well loved by those who flew her.

My novels about the RAF in WWII are intended as tributes to the men in the air and on the ground that made a victory in Europe against fascism possible. 

Riding the icy, moonlit sky, 

they took the war to Hitler. 

Their chances of survival were less than fifty percent. 

Their average age was 21.

This is the story of just one bomber pilot, his crew and the woman he loved. 

It is intended as a tribute to them all.  

Buy now on amazon

or Barnes and Noble. 

 

Disfiguring injuries, class prejudice and PTSD are the focus of three heart-wrenching tales set in WWII by award-winning novelist Helena P. Schrader. Find out more at: https://crossseaspress.com/grounded-eagles


 

  

 

 

 

 

"Where Eagles Never Flew" was the the winner of a Hemingway Award for 20th Century Wartime Fiction and a Maincrest Media Award for Military Fiction. Find out more at: https://crossseaspress.com/where-eagles-never-flew

For more information about all my aviation books visit: https://www.helenapschrader.com/aviation.html




 

Comments

  1. Mystic ScholarAugust 24, 2022 at 4:19 PM

    I am one who under-appreciated the Mosquito. Thanks for the education, Professor.

    ReplyDelete

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