Mosquito ML975 - Lost 16-6-1944

[Big Makk]

Good evening.
Still researching our local 1939-1945 war memorial near Preston, Lancs.
Currently looking at above aircraft and crew, F/O's BRANDWOOD & MILLER, interred Reichswald Forest cemetery.
Have 40 pages of misc. family history from CWGC/AIR 27/ and various sites, but now attempting to trace history
of ML 975. Previously with another squadron before attachment to 571 at Oakington.
Anywhere I can find out where built, delivered etc.
Have traced modern relatives and hope for further personal information and photo.
Stewart

[David Wallace]

This Mosquito was with 109 Squadron prior to 571 Squadron

Serial:	ML975
Build Type:	B.XVI, Merlin 72/73 engines
Build Location:	Hatfield
Contract Number:	555/C.23(a)
Contract Date:
Delivery Period:	Between 24-11-1943 and 4-12-1944

Cheers

[John Williams]

Hi Stewart,

Not sure if you have this information or need it, but according to Theo Boiten’s latest Mosquito ML975 of 571 Sqn was shot down by 1, 2 & 4/schw Flak Abt 366, Flak Batt z b V 10408. Flak Batt z b V 10402 and 4./schw Flak Abt 525 and crashed at Marbeck at 01.35hrs 16 June 1944.

Cheers,

John.

[Big Makk]

Many thanks for that Dave. Is their any records that show which squadron it was initially issued to and when it went on missions with which crew?

Again thanks John. I'd got that it was shot down by flak but not the unit. Seems a lot took credit for the downing and the crew had chosen to fly through
a heavy concentration.

Although the aircraft crashed near Marbeck, it may have carried on for some time before actually grounding. Do we know where these flab batteries were located?

Stewart

[David Wallace]

This is a bit of an odd one. The DH98 list of all Mosquito fates does show it as being with 109 Squadron prior to 571 Squadron but it doesn’t appear to have flown any operations with 109. Mosquito XVIs start showing up in the 109 ORB in March 44. They were a big advantage for 109 Squadron since they were pressurized and the Oboe operations 109 did were normally at 28,000’ - 34,000’ in altitude. ML975 shows up doing an operation with 571 Squadron on May 14 1944. The aircraft was likely assigned to 109 but never used before being passed on to 571 Squadron. The 109 Oboe equipment installation would have to be removed plus they had special external antennas and other equipment used for Oboe so it wouldn’t make sense to configure it for Oboe operations at 109 Squadron and then reconfigure it 30 to 60 days later for 571 Squadron. If it had been used it would have showed up in the 109 ORB.

[David Wallace]

The answer is explained in “No.617 Dambusters Squadron” by Alex Bateman. ML975 & ML976 were loaned by 109 Squadron to 617 Squadron for 30 days for the use of 617 Commanding Officer, W/C Leonard Cheshire VC DSO** DFC. https://books.google.ca/books?id=XFy...0ML975&f=falsehttps://books.google.ca/books?id=XFy...0ML975&f=false
This is confirmed by the 617 ORB
It was used by F/L GA Fawke & F/O TA Bennett for an attack on Juvisy on April 18th by 617 but was coded HS-M which was a 109 Squadron code. Cheshire flew it on test flights and flew ML976 on operations.

[Big Makk]

Thanks again David.
Trust me to get the 'odd one'.
All these little snippets just make the story that more interesting.
Cheers
Stewart

[John Williams]

Hi Stewart,

I don’t know where they were located, but will ask Theo the question, he may know.

Cheers,

John.

[John Williams]

Hi Stewart,

I have heard back from Theo and he has sent me a link to one of the Flak units, if you contact me on harleyDOT158ATbigpondDOTcom replace the DOT & AT with the usual and I’ll send it to you.

Cheers,

John.

[Big Makk]

Thanks again for your (and Theo's) time. P.M.ing now.
Stewart