Taking it on teh nose

摘要

One of the last days of World War Two left an indelible mark on the DH Mosquito crews of the RAF Banff Strike Wing when one of their aircraft collected an unusual trophy during their final attack on German shipping. Pilot Flt Lt Gerald Yeates and navigator Flt Lt Tommy Scott were part of the strike force of 41 aircraft which left their north-east Scottish base at Banff on the Moray Firth coast on May 4, 1945. They were flying 248 Squadron Mosquito VI RS504 'Z' and their task was to harry enemy shipping, hopefully, for the last time. Led by the CO of 143 Squadron, Wg Cdr Christopher (later Sir Christopher) Foxley-Norris, and with fighter cover provided by North American Mustangs from Peterhead, the strike included nine aircraft from 248 Squadron, eight from 235, 13 from 143, seven from 404 Squadron RCAF and four from 333 Squadron Royal Norwegian Air Force.