Mentioned on a tv prog about Norfolk Mosquito KB364 Dived into ground Bawdeswell Norfolk. 6.11.1944 It was one of twelve aircraft from 608 Sqn which set out from Bexwell, Norfolk, known then as RAF Downham Market, to attack Gelsenkirchen in Germany on 6.11.1944. 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 25,000ft. A few searchlights and very light flak were reported by crews over Gelsenkirchen. Eleven of the Mosquitoes from 608 Sqn 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. Crew: P/O (195.130) James McLEAN (pilot) RAFVR - killed Sgt (1604944) Mervyn Lambert TANSLEY (nav.) RAFVR - killed Accident de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito B Mk XX KB364, 06 Nov 1944
From my photo collection SERGEANT MERVYN LAMBERT TANSLEY Service Number: 1604944 Regiment & Unit/Ship Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 608 Sqdn. Date of Death Died 06 November 1944 Age 21 years old Buried or commemorated at FULHAM PALACE ROAD CEMETERY Sec. 1. Grave 14. United Kingdom Country of Service United Kingdom Additional Info Son of Fred Freeman Tansley and Alice Maud Tansley, of Fulham. Personal Inscription HE'S OUTSOARED THE SHADOW OF OUR NIGHT AND LEFT THE VIVID SKIES SIGNED WITH HIS HONOUR