Bawdeswell - Plane Crash 1944

Plane Crash 1944

Mosquito KB364 was one of twelve aircraft from 608 Squadron which set out from Bexwell, Norfolk, known then as RAF Downham Market, to attack Gelsenkirchen in Germany on 6 November 1944. The attack was a diversionary raid to draw German fighters away from two bigger raids elsewhere. (235 Lancaster bombers attacking the canal at Gravenhorst and 129 attacking Koblenz.) The attack commenced as planned, five minutes ahead of the two other raids at 19.25 hours. The Mosquitos dropped a mixture of red and green target indicators and high explosive bombs from 25,000 ft. A few searchlights and very light flak were reported by crews over Gelsenkirchen. Eleven of the Mosquitoes from 608 Squadron carried out successful missions and returned safely to Norfolk. Cloud and icing conditions were encountered. KB364 is thought to have become severely iced-up during the return descent through cloud over Norfolk, and it was considered likely at the time that the pilot lost control and was unable to maintain height. The aircraft hit some electricity cables in the Reepham Road and struck All Saints Church, setting it on fire. Parts of the aircraft carried on and hit Barwick House and Chaucer House opposite, causing considerable damage to both. Debris was spread over a wide area. The crash took place at 20.45hrs. The Dereham Fire Brigade and firefighters from the American airbase at Attlebridge (Weston Longville) attended and it took four hours to control the blaze. Both crew members died in the crash.