Why The Mosquito Bomber Was The Unsung Hero Of WW2 | Battlefield Mysteries | War Stories

The De Havilland Mosquito was a one of the most successful fighters of WWII. Being able to go undetected over occupied territory it carried out some of the most dangerous missions fo the war.
In this episode of Battlefield Mysteries we take a look at this iconic aircraft and the men that flew them.
War Stories is your one stop shop for all things military history. From Waterloo to Verdun, we'll be bringing you only the best documentaries and stories from history's most engaging and dramatic conflicts.
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[@keithm8689]

The Mosquito, Lightning, Spitfire, Mustang, Corsair, and the Rolls Royce aircraft engines were the the age of flying. Unfortunately l was born too late to fly these magnificent aircraft. True there are aircraft today that are impressive but none equal those named.

[@keithm8689]

:

[@hanspeterx]

28:46 why the Mosquitos didn`t have fighter cover at this Route to Amien, Fighters can make this range without drop tanks, for sure.

[@Draugh39]

@@hanspeterx They did. Hawker Typhoons.

[@geraldblaine7293]

P

[@MrGetreal2]

My grandmother doris loos atkins, was an engineer on the mosquito aircraft, at 4ft 11in and a size 6, she was small enough to climb inside the wings to make repairs including repairs to fuel tanks hit by shrapnel or bullets, this reduced the repair times to just 2 days, whereas normally the wings wouldve been removed and taken 5 days to repair, although pilots are the admiration of the world war 2, ground crew are merely mentioned and id like my grandmother to be remembered for her efforts, if not special talent to keeping these beautiful aircraft fight worthy

[@maggiel.516]

awesome!

[@michaelhilborn4204]

What a wonderful legacy. 🙂

[@anthonygreen2100]

I entirely agree. Without the ground crew there wouldn't have been an RAF. Thanks to the likes of your Gran we're free. Respect. Thank you.

[@jacksimpson-rogers1069]

Fabulous! Ernest Montgomery, the man who taught me high school "Advanced Mathematics" and physics, in Downpatrick, NI, had taken time off from teaching, at the beginning of the war, to go to the most dangerous part of England, and work on Radar.

[@frasercard7714]

Your GrandMother worked at what plant building them ?

[@taofledermaus]

It's amazing how the sound of a Stuka dive bombing is STILL being used to depict ANY airplane in a dive.

[@bobsakamanos4469]

true enough, but here's a nugget of history. When Spitfires finally arrived in Italy and were performing ground attack missions, some of those Ju87 sirens were scrounged from wrecks in Africa and attached to some Spits to inflict the same psy ops on the enemy.

[@GM-fh5jp]

Geoffrey de Havilland was a brilliant man whose individual efforts saved countless lives in WW2. A little known fact: Just prior to the start of the Battle of Britain, literally days before the first air raids, De Havilland and a small band of workers drove from RAF airfield to airfield to fit the newly developed constant speed propellors to the Spitfires and Hurricanes. This one innovation that was rushed into service gave the fighters nearly a 30mph speed increase and so they were able to match the very fast Messerschmitt 109s. They didn't have a government contract to do it and didn't know if they would even be paid for their work but De Havilland knew it was a vital upgrade and so did it off his own bat. A truly remarkable man.

[@nickdanger3802]

Source?

[@GM-fh5jp]

@@nickdanger3802 It's been reported and discussed in quite a few B of B books.

[@ronaldwilliams6960]

Damn right

[@ronaldwilliams6960]

Damn right

[@ruskyrosco1054]

Awesome comment! I had never heard that. I imagine if bombs started dropping in the neighborhoods of Lockheed or Boeing engineers they would act similarly. Can't sell stuff when you're dead.

[@michaelafrancis1361]

One thing that is often forgotten about the Mosquito is that, because of its wooden construction, it had a very low signature on the Germain radar sets of the day. That, along with its extreme low level penetration capabilities, makes it the world's first stealth bomber.

[@TheGeneralWorldofTanksReplays]

Indeed, it was not intentional, but a happy side-benefit of using wood. About the only things that gave off a radar return was the propeller, the tail wheel, the radio antenna, the exhausts and the front of the guns if they had guns mounted in the nose. The engine was concealed in a cowling and wheels retracted into the area behind the engines so that only the rubber was showing. It truly was a stealth aircraft, but totally unintentional. In fact, most of the modifications that made it stealthy were actually to try and increase the speed by streamlining the airflow.

[@jacqueslefave4296]

I was thinking the same thing, I was disappointed that it wasn't mentioned in an otherwise excellent video.

[@rubix4195]

I am sure there was a UK documentary and a RAF pilot also added that they could sneak up to the targets because they didn't see them coming (because of the stealth from the wood) and they gunned it fast (as in put the pedal to the metal)

[@michaelhilborn4204]

@@TheGeneralWorldofTanksReplays That was the same synergy behind the SR-71 Blackbird. It was built for speed and wound up being stealthy as a consequence.

[@dangurtler7177]

@@jacqueslefave4296 They did mention more than once that the German radar didn't pick them up. The strike on the radio station in Berlin was one example.

[@jeffreymartin8448]

Can you imagine screaming along at tree top level for 1.5 hours? Navigating while trying to avoid the ground. Picking up the target in the last few seconds and smashing it to bits!! My mind races. What supremely brave men. And they did without batting an eye. Greatest Generation ain't no exaggeration,

[@Patrick_Cooper]

I have trouble just navigating my lawn mower at any level.

[@robertmaybeth3434]

they did it while scared sh%tless and mindful of the mates they'd lost swimming through their minds - it was indeed a world war since everybody in the western world and Asia was involved one way or the other.

[@lightningdriver81]

It sure was. Compared to that bunch, these modern dingbats are less than nothing.

[@deplorablecovfefe9489]

Sounds like amazing fun.

[@hanoversofbits7629]

@@Patrick_Cooper 😂

[@SpainHighlander]

My neighbour in the UK had been a mosquito pilot during the last misunderstanding with the Germans, et al. He rarely spoke about his time, because in his own words...People would either hero worship or would batter him with questions,..... so he kept quiet about it. He had worked in the film industry and had advised on a number of post WWII films. Just a cracking chap to be around. Everyone's idea of an RAF pilot.

[@jonhohensee3258]

That never happened.

[@bobsakamanos4469]

Most vets only talked about the war among themselves, or with lads in uniform. I was always placed beside them at Mess dinners and enjoyed their stories.

[@dtaylor10chuckufarle]

They were the Greatest Generation - God bless them all.

[@johnchristmas7522]

What a difference from all the Snowflakes and Wokes now!

[@dtaylor10chuckufarle]

@@johnchristmas7522 John, I couldn't agree more. We stand on the shoulders of giants.

[@Mikeban94]

This video was just randomly recommended to me by KZbin and my grandfather is in it wow that just made my day! I miss him so much he had so many amazing stories.

[@keironlea1922]

My great uncle was pilot too he give own life flown. His plane into German look out post as they did the raid on prison to give the prisoners chance to escape

[@edinacloud5968]

Oh wow that's amazing!

[@davewalker9926]

I flew a WW2 Mosquito in the 70s in the Canadian Arctic. It was fitted with a camera and I flew ice patrol between Baffin Island and Greenland, photographing icebergs headed into the North Atlantic. I was under strict orders to never use full throttle, except as needed for takeoff; the owner was worried about getting parts for the Merlin engines. The gig only lasted 3 months, but I loved every minute. Beautiful in the air, but my hands and feet were always busy on the ground, trying to keep it from ground looping.

[@jonhohensee3258]

Sure you did. I was the eighth man on the moon.

[@dalj4362]

​@jonhohensee3258 Yeah, they used a few in Canada for mapping as well.

[@bobsakamanos4469]

was it a late Mk. with rt and left handed engines?

[@Stevos-oo2vd]

Whilst working in nursing, I had the extreme honor to meet an RAF navigator who flew in the Mossie, he only managed 95 flights over Berlin. He was a Pathfinder tho..what a man !

[@AquilaCrotalusEsox]

"only"

[@oldfatbastad6053]

@@AquilaCrotalusEsox yeah i know, "only" 😆

[@tomc4139]

My grandad was a RCAF navigator in mossies then Lancaster...he actually was part of the the planning on operation Jericho, not part of the air crews. He came back to Alberta had 3 children 7 grandchildren 8 great grandchildren so far. Harry Elhorn we remember you

[@joelspringman523]

95!!! 😳 Oh, my goodness!

[@gregsutton6258]

The allies developed? De Havalland fought everone including the RAF to build it

[@forsakenghost7054]

While the original deHavalland was not made by the allies and actually rejected was then modified-by the allies so yes the allies did develop it just not the original

[@forsakenghost7054]

@Hoa Tattis the plane went threw several variations before the settled on the 4 gun 4 cannon with bombs series of planes

[@kevingoodwin5177]

@Hoa Tattis The narrator is from Canada and Commonwealth pilots from around the world flew the plane... Canada made about 1200 Mosquitoes and the raw materials came from Canada ... hence he uses the term "allies".

[@forsakenghost7054]

@Hoa Tattis in accordance to what the RAF wanted lol i never meant the allies did the actual design

[@nobodyknows3180]

Well, it sure AF wasn't developed by the Italians. You know, whenever a company worked for one side or another, usually it is acceptable to apply the catch-all phrase. Sort of like saying the Axis developed the first operational jet fighter in history.

[@drh6808]

Unless I'm mistaken, the Mosquito was not developed by the Allies it was developed entirely by the British and De Havilland in particular. I'm proud to say My Aunt delivered these planes from the factory to the airfields. She died 30 years ago, I learned of her war work only 5 years ago. A marvellous lady, she married a fighter pilot.

[@bobsakamanos4469]

She'd have delivered them to Maintenance Units for installation of IFF radios, gun sites, guns etc. It wasn't an easy twin to take-off or land with both props rotating in the same direction. Kudos to her !

[@garrington120]

My father was an RAF armourer between 1942 an 45 based at RAF Lasham with 613 Squadron and later after D Day , Cambrai /Epinoy . He always spoke very fondly and highly of the Mossie.

[@shipless33]

My Grandfather was a head airplane mechanic in the Canadian RAF, and in WW1 had 2 ships blown from under him (perhaps that's why on the second time around he chose a different branch). My Mother, sent from Canada served in the RAF, went through the blitz on London. 20 year olds of a great generation. Such a strange world. Today we have 20 year old guys competing against girls in sports. We have a generation that think men can have babies, women who prance nearly naked on stage to sell their music, American leaders allowing their cities to be burned down, and ....

[@jackdundon2261]

.... and almost like the world is falling apart... much like 1940. Humm

[@shipless33]

@@jackdundon2261 Except this time it is falling apart from within. Big difference.

[@harrymills2770]

@@shipless33 We're dying of too much government. WW II was instrumental in creating many of the control systems that now strangle us.

[@shipless33]

@@harrymills2770 Agreed.

[@Mackeson3]

"It makes me furious when I see the Mosquito. I turn green and yellow with envy. The British, who can afford aluminum better than we can, knock together a beautiful wooden aircraft that every piano factory over there is building, and they give it a speed which they have now increased yet again. What do you make of that? There is nothing the British do not have. They have the geniuses and we have the nincompoops. After the war is over I’m going to buy a British radio set - then at least I’ll own something that has always worked." Hermann Goering

[@richardbrislen9446]

I don't agree Herman, you Germans had the best weapons the 88 artillery gun could take out bombers, infantry, tanks, we had nothing like that, we had the 25 pounder gun unless, they had the mp40 machine pistol known as the shizer

[@richardbrislen9446]

The german army had the best weapons, the 88 artillery gun could kill our heavy bombers, tanks, infantry, the mp40 machine pistol the shmizer, heavy machine guns,mouser rifles, we had the 25 pounder field gun hopeless, bren gun not bad but apt to stop as the barrels got hot, the sten gun bloody useless as it jammed a lot, the anti tank gun the phiat we might have thrown tennis balls at the tank it would bounce off it,out air force was number one and our navy was too it was the navy that we depended on as the German navy ships were in harbour a lot as we were bigger and better and when they came out we were waiting and sink them there u boats were the threat but we sunk a lot of them too plus the German only had light bombers ours were heavy, carrying twice the load they had.

[@stefanlaskowski6660]

One of the very few times in World War Two that Goering was right. About the Mosquito, I mean. He wasn't buying anything after the war ended.

[@lyndoncmp5751]

Richard Brislan, The Germans had SOME of the best weapons. The British made better planes. Spitfire, Mosquito, Lancaster, Typhoon/Tempest. Even the Gloster Meteor was better than the Me-262.

[@MothaLuva]

@@lyndoncmp5751 They made better planes…? Tell me please, how many flight hours do you have in each one of those and compared to that, how many in the German counterparts? Roughly.

[@jacksporran7468]

Two Spitfires flying in (very) close formation :) - a remarkable aircraft.

[@josephamego1528]

Aircrews of any plane had stories that some would talk about, this helped to release the tensions that built up, other couldn't or wouldn't talk, some of their nightmares continued for years. some died with their nightmares never leaving them. A lot of the forces guys went into battle knowing that they wouldn't be going home, we should remember them at remembrance Sunday, they should never be forgotten.

[@michaelhilborn4204]

We will remember them.

[@ak22gml85]

I'm in awe of how young these pilots and navigators were as noted on their gravestones. Some a mere 21. How short must their training have been, yet to fly as amazingly as they did, into new and foreign territory, and under such fraught circumstances. I'll stand corrected but thought the narrator mentioned at one point the loss of 5000 of these planes. What an awful turnover of these young men barely into adulthood

[@michaelhilborn4204]

@@ak22gml85 They were all so young. Some were kids. That's what history tends to forget and the war movies misrepresent. My dad was a paratrooper in WWII. The average age in his battalion (including officers) was 22 years, four months.

[@jaywalker3087]

Our country will never see the likes of these people again. Bless them all.

[@michaelburke5907]

Beautiful aircraft. Brilliant design and engineering. Developed solely by de Havilland, without govt funding or input.

[@charliemanson4808]

7:33 I've seen how they navigated so well in person. Large dioramas of the landscapes 20 feet sometimes more across. Every tree, road, villages with each house, churches railway lines where built to scale...all taken from Arial recon photos. They used the shadows of tall buildings on sunny days and the exact time the photo was taken to work out the height as well as 1930's european road trip guides for steeple heights etc They would study them intently and make their own flight paths. Now here's the genius part. Once they chose the flight path they then had a camera mounted above on cables and could move it left/right and forwards/backwards by the use of hand cranks. They could fly their routes without leaving the ground. The lighting could simulate sun height and moon conditions so they could see easily identifiable objects etc. They then studied these films and changed if necessary. This was from the 1990's when as a young Airman in the RAF I was fortunate to get regular access to the RAF Museums storage site, when it was at Cardington where the old Airship hangers still are. The curators where amazing even taking time to set one up to show me how it worked as a suprise on a visit and showed me some of the origional films, but they where from a proposed attack on a Norwegian factory. Peace Charlie 🇬🇧

[@thevelointhevale1132]

My Great Uncle was a Beaufighter & Mosquito Pilot ( Rank Sgt P/O A ) - flying for RAAF No 456 Mosquito Squadron on Night Fighters/Intruders out of RAF 10 and 11 Group in late 1943-44 - then RAF No 46 Squadron and RAF 108 Sqd in the North African campaign he was one of 4 Australians in a Unit. No 46 & 108 Sqd flew Night Fighter patrols over Egypt, Libya, Malta, Greece and the Aegean generally. His personal file shows the destruction of Ships, Trains, motor vehicles and a Heinkel HE. 111 among other victims. Through 1943-44, flying out of an airfield in Athens - after the HE. 111 was intercepted and destroyed - records state his Beau harassed a German retreat by strafing Railway and Motor Transport following this up with nightly 'Intruder Missions' over the wider Aegean ( Salonika, Crete, Rhodes, Melos, Leros and Cos ) - Night Fighter Pilots were cut from a particular cloth - Gods bless them all!

[@littlefluffybushbaby7256]

Wow, Beaufighter & Mosquito Pilot! That's like... Q. Would you like a Ferrari or Maserati? A. Yes I can only imagine how proud you are.

[@littlefluffybushbaby7256]

@Noel Coward What makes you think it's untrue? What he's written is in line with the wiki entry for 456 Squadron. I'm not sure what anyone would gain by making it up. That doesn't mean it's true, but doesn't mean it's untrue either.

[@littlefluffybushbaby7256]

@Noel Coward Are you seriously thinking "In The Vale" is someone's last name? Or are you joking? Hopefully the latter.

[@murph8411]

I thought Greece was overrun and occupied by the Germans in 41 and wasn’t liberated until nearer the end of 44? Wouldn’t this make it problematic for any allied squadron based in Athens in 43/44?

[@Chrisjude100]

My uncle, too! He may have met your great-uncle! He navigated flying to strafe ammunition and supply trains in Belgium especially. High speed zig-zag at tree-top height with map and stopwatch to get to the right place at exactly he right time to find the target train. He was told that the intelligence was coming from local partisans working in the lines and informing the Allies of train movements. In reality, looking back, it may have been the deciphering of Enigma that did the trick, but they could not be told that, naturally! The Belgians decorated him after the war because he flew three whole tours.

[@wokeybrokey8006]

My parents lived beside an ex mossy pilot and became friends. He used to transport love letters between Elizabeth and Philip in Greece and in other days doing bombing runs ….all at ridiculous low levels. Seriously fast planes and seriously brave pilots. God bless them.

[@edenbreckhouse]

I have studied WW2 history all my adult life and can't think of any aircraft of that period better than the Mosquito. In fact, I can't think of a more versatile, successful aircraft of any period better.

[@BenState]

F18. More versatile.

[@shgstewart4674]

My favourite WWII aircraft is the Spitfire, just because it's so gorgeous and graceful, but the Mozzie is a really close second.

[@alexcawthorne811]

@@BenStatedo you need help reading the question?

[@raypurchase801]

The Mosquito was a phenomenally effective night interdictor.

[@MrDaiseymay]

--as well as

[@raypurchase801]

@@MrDaiseymay - everything else as well.

[@richardbrislen9446]

Ray don't you mean a nightmare eradicater one deadly piece of timber called R.R MERLIN.

[@MrDaiseymay]

@@raypurchase801 better

[@sureshot8399]

Was lucky enough to see one of these flying here in Canada about 6 or 7 years ago. Saw them as a kid occasionally at air shows in the UK, so brought back some fond memories. A lovely plane flown by some of the bravest people in history.

[@berndbrakemeier1418]

All those other pilots were not that brave? What was wrong with that plane?

[@richardpluim4426]

My Uncle Chuck was in Bomber Command, 415 squadron. A Canadian of Metis background. If you Google Charles Labercane, you can see an article of him and his crew. Chuck is the one in the middle. Just kids really.

[@titaniusanglesmith9690]

@@berndbrakemeier1418 What are you even asking? Claiming one group of pilots is brave doesnt mean theyre calling other pilots not brave. You must vote conservative.

[@gayludington197]

@@titaniusanglesmith9690 "You must vote conservative" 😆Marvelous!

[@nickviner1225]

@@titaniusanglesmith9690 No, just nitpicking grump.

[@morenofranco9235]

Excellent episode, War Stories. Now that I am an "old soldier" - listening to these old soldiers makes this old Flight Lieutenant feel at home. Thank you.

[@hassegreiner9675]

The unintentional bombing of the school in Copenhagen still haunts the nation but then again, Danes got through the war without suffering the major destruction other nations did and we're still very much aware of how much we owe the brave young men of the allied forces. A young woman taking her lunch in a roof top sewing shop was hit by a ricochetting bullet probably fired by one of the escorting P51s and she, who years later gave birth to me, bore the shrapnell deeply buried inside her buttocks for the rest of her life. My older brother was born 9 months after the incident and my late dad claimed that the pregnancy was a direct result of him inspecting the healing status of the wound.

[@halnutt1790]

That’s wonderful. Thanks for sharing the story of your fathers sexual intrigue and virility. Hope you tell all you meet. Some things are better kept to oneself.

[@axelkusanagi4139]

That's the greatest thing I've ever heard!

[@hassegreiner9675]

@@halnutt1790 So what do you mean ?

[@djtoona]

Terrific risque' anecdote. Just goes to show that even in one of the worst of times, good things kept coming.

[@sre331l]

@@djtoona terrible pun!

[@jeffpollard7304]

I think one of the best attributes of this wonderful A/C, flight crews came home a lot more, than most other A/C!

[@nor0845]

“If it looks right……” and it most certainly does 😎

[@briandean2734]

My father, Fying Officer A W Dean, but always known in the RAF as "Dixie", was a navigator in Mosquitos during the war. He flew on the Amiens raid (Operation Jericho) mentioned here. He and his pilot "Monnie" Monaghan both survived the war, and received medals for "distinguished flying" (DFM and DFC) - something of an understatement, I would think.

[@TroyChard]

Checkout "Terror in the Starboard Seat" for a first hand account of what it was like to be an "Alligator" back then. (Navigator)

[@catchaser52]

Thank God these stories are recorded.

[@MilesCobbett]

My father Bryan Cobbett was a Spitfire and Mosquito mechanic in the RAF during WWII. He used to tell me stories about the Mosquito

[@davewilson9738]

Incredible design, incredible planes, incredible pilots.

[@boogeh3630]

A little known fact: The heaviest piece of equipment on the Mosquito were the Pilots Balls.

[@leaturk11]

good one

[@umpman04]

@@leaturk11 Fact, Jack ! !

[@littlefluffybushbaby7256]

To make a balanced turn in flight you "tread on the ball".

[@morenofranco9235]

LOL!!!!

[@andrewbranch4918]

Don't forget the navigator, He had a pair as well ✌️

[@emmascully9850]

Such bravery, a privilege to have watched this and their story. Bravo Zulu.

[@duncang55]

That was the first aircraft my father worked on in India durning the war. We have his original notebook detailing some of his work. Just before the V1 started falling on London, my mother was working for the Admiralty and sufferd from claustorphobia after spending so much time in the underground during raids.

[@georgevantuyl5837]

The Mosquito was the finest wood and cloth aircraft ever to be manufactured by human beings. Nothing has come close to this aircraft.

[@XCX237]

The Avro arrow would have. The mosquito was an awesome plane.saved many many lives. God bless all the brave men who flew them.

[@defender1006]

Yes, and undoubtedly Britains fastest and most deadly piece of furniture!

[@peebeedee6757]

@@XCX237 Don't think the Avro Arrow would have been constructed from wood and cloth ! Pity it wasn't built though, same as the TSR2 for us Brits.

[@chasleask8533]

The narration by Norm Christie is so precise , and clear , it makes this familiar story come alive all over again.

[@reiddennison]

RH Thompson, actually.

[@peebeedee6757]

@@reiddennison Rob Thompson is a good actor but this is definitely Norm Christie. He did the original for Breakthrough Entertainment, now syndicated out to War Stories and other YT channels.

[@MaskofAgamemnon]

Yaaaaay! My favourite plane of the war by far! 😁😀😃😀

[@rigolonzinbrin]

Yes, But the P-38 Lightning was also a terribly efficient aircraft. P-47 Thunderbolt and P-51Mustang to. Terrors of nazi's fighters.

[@MaskofAgamemnon]

@@rigolonzinbrin I didn't say best, only favourite.

[@MrDaiseymay]

@@rigolonzinbrin Yes, but the list doesn't stop there. Britain had many other's, but a few failures too, as did the Axis power's and other Allies.

[@davidbarron4694]

I had the pleasure of meeting an elderly gentleman who had piloted Mosquitos in the late period of the war and after. He delivered mail to Australia in a Mosquito in 1946 and held the world record for fastest delivery of mail to Delhi and Brisbane - until the next day when a colleague beat his record!

[@Spizzoid]

I sat in the prototype W4050 at Salisbury Hall when I was about 3 years old (back in the sixties). I now live about a mile from Leavesden where they were built. My grandfather worked for DH, repairing the runways at Leavesden and Hatfield. The mossie has always been my favourite aircraft.

[@jimford8108]

I did the same when I was a DH apprentice at Leavesden in the late 50s. I worked for a while in the No. 1 Flight Shed and a foreman took me to Salisbury Hall to check the A.C.. I vaguely remember climbing into it, but at the time didn't appreciate how special it was! I still live in nearby Watford

[@BobHUK]

@@jimford8108 The prototype still lives. It's now in the De Havilland Aircraft museum next to Salisbury Hall, along with two other Mossies. They've all been spruced up and painted up in the proper camoflauge colours and look really good. I can recommend the museum as a good day out. It's not cheap, but you get to see three complete Mossies, as well as many other DH aircraft in other hangars or outside, and I believe you can sit in the pilot's seat in some of them as well. They are also currently in the process of refurbishing a Rapide to flying standard, and when it's complete the intention is to fly it out! I hope I'm still around to see that happen.

[@allandavis8201]

The very first Mosquito operational sortie was Photo Reconnaissance not an offensive mission as stated in the narration. One fact that is perhaps little known about the Mosquito is that it was the first pressurised cabin bomber in the world and was capable of bombing from an altitude of 6 miles high. One of the biggest reasons WWII RAF airfields disappeared soon after VE Day was because they wanted to turn them back over to farming in an effort to increase food production so sorely needed until imports of food items, especially fruit, coffee, and I suspect alcohol. I don’t disagree that the Amiens raid was “the most amazing raid of the Second World War” but I would have to say it was equally the most amazing alongside the “Dambusters” raid on the Ruhr valley dams by the RAF Lancaster’s of 617 Sqn crewed by a multinational force, the only thing that the Dambusters had as an advantage was the time to practice and perfect the bombing techniques, but the biggest drawback was that it had to be done at night, two very different raids carried out by very different crews in very very different aircraft, but all of them very very brave men, who by their actions and sacrifices made them my heroes. Personally I don’t think the V1 attacks were that successful, as with the blitz on London by the Luftwaffe the Londoners just got on with it, although it could have been a lot worse if it wasn’t for the RAF, Anti-aircraft batteries, and “Garbo”, but that’s another story. Why oh why did the makers of this excellent documentary have to spoil it by adding that stupid sound of a “missile” to the V1 footage, the V1, once it’s pulse get cut out was totally silent, that’s one of the signs you had to hit the deck as the V1 was on it’s way to earth, and as with the V2 there was no defence at that point, the V2.

[@Kalamabbfan]

Just a Yank's input. Doolittle's raid on Tokyo was as amazing or maybe more amazing considering the entire raid. Bombers off of a WWII aircraft carrier? Knowing that you probably wouldn't have fuel to get anywhere safe? Letting the Japanese know that there Island was directly attackable by bombers? A pretty amazing air raid, in my opinion.

[@popeyedoyle3649]

@@Kalamabbfan tru dat! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@reefer2917]

@@Kalamabbfan Except none of them made it Back!

[@suprajew60]

@@Kalamabbfan don't need yanks input, always trying to take the centre stage, don't really think it's all that good

[@MrDaiseymay]

@@reefer2917 And those that headed for China afterwards, ended in Japanese held territory, and were murdered.

[@dub2536]

The Mosquito was an impressive aircraft indeed!

[@simonmcgough7336]

I love the mosque air plane mosquito I really loved them,

[@keithm8689]

Just the sound of these aircraft flying over with especially the Rolls or Packard engines sends shivers and intense pride through your body. Yes we have the A-10 Warthogs that is interesting and the Speed machines to fly but none equal to the WW ll aircraft. A tragedy is that more of these aircraft were not preserved for demonstrations here in the 2000,s or held in museums.

[@MrDaiseymay]

Doesn't matter who made them, They were Rolls Royce engines; and in certain cases, they approved of some improvements by Packard.

[@1961jammin]

Well said, it is a tragedy especially considering the history.

[@nickdanger3802]

@@MrDaiseymay Lord Beaverbrook The Packhard Rolls-Royce engine is an example to the whole world. There was a very good American aeroplane called the Mustang. The engine of the Mustang was giving good service, but some genius had the idea of putting Rolls-Royce engines into the Mustangs, and the result is a very good aeroplane, one of the best in the world-some people will say the very best. That was the result of this project in America over which the Ministry had no supervision, although the contract was made here by the Minister. below 809 Hansard FLEET AIR ARM. 27 January 1943 (on line)

[@nickdanger3802]

"The Merlin XX incorporated a number of revisions based on early operational experience and the availability of 100 octane fuel from America." "It had been intended to utilise the evaporative cooling system but was replaced by the more reliable ethylene glycol liquid cooling system developed in the United States." "More permanent solutions involved moving the fuel outlet from the bottom of the carburettor to half way up and the use of fuel injection using a Stromberg pressure carburettor and finally an SU injection carburettor." Spitfire Society Merlin page

[@anthonywilson4873]

@@nickdanger3802 Nick this is how the Mustang came to be. Britain asked the US to build us P40 a standard US fighter, North American Aviation said hold on we can build the RAF a plane from scratch. Britain said yes please and the Mustang was born and built for the RAF, the Allison engine could not fight at altitude due to lack of adequate supercharging. In the UK a Rolls Royce Merlin was installed and it transformed the plane. The US Air Force now became interested with long range fuel tanks installed the best long range escort fighter of WW2 was developed.

[@d.e.b.b5788]

I love how every documentary about old planes say the one they're covering, was the best, fastest, pilot's preference.

[@marymorris6897]

True! The Mosquito was the best of its time, though.

[@seeker1432]

I know the spitfire was an amazing aircraft, But for me i feel the Mosquito was the best aircraft of the war.

[@Kalamabbfan]

Any votes for the B-24? Look it up.

[@timlatte8302]

I think it was faster than spitfires

[@Phillip3DPrintingCom]

@@Kalamabbfan no votes for the B-24 when we are talking about Spitfires and Mozzies, lol

[@Kalamabbfan]

@@Phillip3DPrintingCom My comment was in reference to Seeker's comment " But for me i feel the Mosquito was the best aircraft of the war." No qualifier mentioned. Actually, if truth be known, the Me262 was probably the best fighter in the war. Just my opinion.

[@camrenwick]

An amazing aircraft that certainly helped to win the war. RIP to all who sacrificed their lives.

[@MilleusPetrozza]

Four machine guns, four cannons, four bombs and four huge balls, flying 50 feet in the air at 200 miles per hour. Damn!

[@anthonyfrost2530]

my dad was in Dad's army , he was a carpenter who built and repaired wooden train coaches , he also built other things that he was not allowed to talk about , I know he worked on the invasion gliders and i am pretty sure he had a hand in building parts for this aircraft. He had a rifle and a tommy gun in his wardrobe , no bullets with them though , i looked everywhere ..as little kids do...

[@imadrifter]

Dad's Army?

[@mtl-ss1538]

@@imadrifter . - The Home Guard or volunteer force .:-

[@imadrifter]

@@mtl-ss1538 ok

[@AdamMGTF]

I've read ww2 history for decades. Only recently did I learn that the mosquito could carry 1800kg of bombs. Just 200 less than a b17 when loaded for a long range mission. Makes the aircraft even more incredible.

[@nickdanger3802]

"Some" of the 1,284 built as unarmed bombers, minus conversions to photo/recon, were modified to carry one 4,000 pound "cookie", a metal drum filled with explosive and carried by Mossys exclusively for nuisance raids. Fighter-bombers, the most produced marks, had a max bomb load of 1,500 pounds. see BAE Mosquito page

[@andrewbranch4918]

I noticed the bomb load comparison with the B-17. It made me realise that everytime a fort went down, you lost 10 men for a negligible load. If those crews had mossies, they'd probably still be around at the end of the war. What quality of men

[@nickdanger3802]

@@andrewbranch4918 Read my previous reply or the BAE Mosquito page for actual facts about Mossy bombloads.

[@AdamMGTF]

@@andrewbranch4918 I suppose it wasn't to be known when the USAAF was beginning it's bombing. But it is a shame that America's production capacity wasn't used to produce designs. Just because they weren't American. Even if you take the largest/most expensive part (the engines) as a guide. You could build 2 M's for 1 b17. Using few otherwise stratigic reasources.and they would be manned by 2 men not 10. But hindsight is a wonderful thing.

[@nickdanger3802]

@@AdamMGTF The Mossy was not a strategic bomber. B17's operated in groups of Combat Boxes of 54 aircraft flying at 150 MPH. They needed fuel to form up and climb to over 26,000 feet before crossing into the Continent to be out of range of most flak and aircraft. The objective of the Pointblank Directive was the reduction of the Luftwaffe on the ground and in the air before D Day. "Redrafted by the Air Ministry, the directive tasked the 8th US Army Air Force with attacking the aviation industry; RAF Bomber Command would work towards 'the general disorganisation of German industry', as before." 'By March 1944, it became clear that the area offensive had fallen short of its goals and that Bomber Command was facing destruction by night fighters just as earlier it had faced destruction by day fighters.' - Noble Frankland, historian and Bomber Command veteran BBC Berlin Air Offensive 18 November 1943 to 24 March 1944

[@MilesCobbett]

My dad was a Spitfire and Mosquito mechanic in the RAF and he told me that by the end of the war RR had increased the engine HP to 2385

[@aaronseet2738]

Luftwaffer: Schnellbomber. Mosquito: Let me show you how.

[@keithlillis7962]

This documentary keeps talking about 'the allies' - there were no 'allies, America had not yet joined the fight and Great Britain was alone, with the great help of Canadian and other Empire volunteers . Also the Mozzie was a British invention and the reason that it was built from wood, was that the UK Government could not spare aviation metals for give to De Havilland for prototypes and testing. The Mozzie was very light and powered by 2 Rolls Royce Merlin engines. Uncatchable at the time.

[@kevingoodwin5177]

Are not the Australians, New Zealanders and Canadians allies ? The narrator is from Canada ... he is not American... hence he used the term allies.

[@MrDaiseymay]

It's a courtesy thing, not strictly accurate, but '''We were all in it together'', As in, ''The allied armies pushed the German's back, after D'Day etc.

[@jukes888]

Pretty sure that comment would offend all of the countries that responded to England. As if they weren't allies .

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

British but made from Candian wood.

[@TheSound0fLegends]

@@jukes888 Offence is taken, not given.

[@cliveanstey2723]

Fantastic documentary... complete, entertaining and very educating.. Respect for all the pilots who risked their most valuable.

[@tonykerrison1983]

"The Allies" came up with the Mosquito??!!! They didn't! It was the British deHavilland company who designed & built it as a private venture, because no-one in government wanted to know about a wooden aircraft. Once demonstrated to be an amazing war machine, they finally woke up & ordered it.

[@terrysmith9362]

you have got to remember their targeted audience is the USA so the commentary must conform with their prejudice

[@gayludington197]

@@terrysmith9362 Bogus assumption! What prejudice?? Bad facts destroy the legitimacy of the program.

[@peebeedee6757]

The design work had been done but nothing was built until funding was secured, and ..... He's saying Allies in the context that WW2 was fought between Germany and the Allies and the mosquito was produced on the Allied side.

[@peebeedee6757]

@@terrysmith9362 He's a Canadian in a Canadian made film, entiled to wave the flag for his countrymen that built Mosquitos, flew them and died in them.....and of course, the Canadians, as members of the Commonwealth, were allied against Germany.

[@jasmadahar9089]

Years ago when I was at school, my Technical Drawing teacher, Mr Kimber, was a Spitfire pilot in 1944. As part of his training, his squadron was tasked with practice interceptions with a PRU Mossie squadron. They had to in effect intercept them, in preparation for ‘future’ German fast aircraft. He told me that these Blue Mosquitoes would easily outrun them, even with emergency boost applied. These were fast aircraft and were beautiful.

[@brendancasey866]

If you read the book 'Pure Luck' the life story of Tommy Sopwith, his approach to designing aircraft was drawing them out, full size in chalk on the workshop floor, obviously well before the days of computers etc his qualification for going ahead with the build was simple, if it looks right, it will fly. The Mossie like the Spitfire, simply looks right,,

[@zendonbuilds948]

The Mosquito was the first true stealth aircraft in the modern sense of the word. Its wooden frame and skin made it very difficult to detect with the pre-1944 longwave German radar units.

[@nickdanger3802]

Source?

[@PDZ1122]

@@nickdanger3802 "saw it on the internet!"

[@nickdanger3802]

@@PDZ1122 That is the only place anyone is going to see it. The weight of two Merlin's, two props, three wheels and control cables is close to the weight of an early Spit. Add 4 Hispano cannon and 4 Browning MG's and ammo for fighter bombers or up to 3,000 pounds of bombs, with about half the weight being steel, for unmodified bombers. Mossy night fighters and Pathfinders had radar and stuck out like a sore willie on German radar.

[@user-pt1ow8hx5l]

@@nickdanger3802 They tended to fly 'under the radar',......

[@nickdanger3802]

If they were stealth why did they fly 'under the radar',...... ?

[@tyo8663]

One of, if not the best aircraft of WW2.

[@wmden1]

One more comment. I have watched this through 4 or 5 times. It is very inspiring and sad, in places, at the same time. I tear up every time. The loss of lives of pilots, civilians, the resistance fighters, the children and adults in the school, all weigh heavy, if we think about it. The V1s and V2s were kind of sickening, since being used mainly against semi random civilian targets and population centers. I also tear up because of the bravery, sacrifices and skills of the Mosquito pilots, in particular to this video, as I do with most every similar documentary about WWII and the soldiers and civilians who fought it to keep us free. I have no problem with them being called, "The greatest generation". I thank God for them, and I thank them.

[@simonbertioli4696]

Incredible...love the plane and admire those pilots too. Good video. Thanks for uploading it. 👍👍

[@DylansPen]

One of the fastest prop aircraft of WW2 the Mosquito/Hornet was a jewel. British aircraft engines were the elite. In fact the British did some work in WW2 no question. The Battle of Britain among the rest and The Raid on Telemark, to destroy the German's supply of heavy water which was needed to develop the atomic bomb. The Brit's may like a spot of tea but when it comes to war they get to it.

[@robertgrimmett6840]

Yes fastest PROP aircraft, yet we keep seeing comments about "jet engine" noise.

[@KevPage-Witkicker]

Respect. Your guys have their moments too.

[@dontgivamonkeyz]

What does spot of tea mean, never hear British people say it.

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

LIAR !!!! The Mosquito was a fast BOMBER,because it had a bomb bay NOT the fastes plane, many were a lot faster. in fact the only mossies to break 400 MPH were a few of the later ones with the Merlin 60's spit fire Mustang P38 P47 were all much faster as were the Bf109 and Fw190. cain't BS me I know the truth !! Check the test reports done by the RAF !!! and not the BS stories !! !

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

@@robertgrimmett6840 B/S few models of the mossie could top 400 and many fighter were faster, Mustang, shitfire, P47 P38 Bf109 Fw190 Corsair all out ran them

[@manasbose8817]

Great documentary about an amazing plane and the brave men who flew it. Wonderful stuff thanks

[@bobelliott2748]

Since we are all talking about our parents and grandparents here, my mother was born and raised in London and was drafted into the war effort in 1940 or 41. She worked in a shop that made disposable fuel tanks for recon Mosquitoes....out of paper mache!

[@lightningdriver81]

Great documentary. Those RAF pilots were incredible. Thanks.

[@sandranatali1260]

This is the first time I've heard of the mosquito. The pilot and the navigator were amazing individuals. After watching this video, I feel such pride, along with sadness for the loss of these brave men. The mosquito and its crew safe so many lives, and we really don't know their history or their sacrifice. The people of nazis held muslims en that flew these airplanes. We need to honor these pilot's who got in these planes, and realize they may not return home. God bless these brave men and may Rest In Peace!

[@SongJLikes]

Absolutely incredible that there is a radio show of the bombing… absolutely incredible that there was a break in the clouds at that exact point… absolutely incredible that the timing was right when Goerring was being presented.

[@slypear]

"Although it was made with good Canadian wood..." lol - Nice one! What an amazing machine that would've been to fly~

[@rubix4195]

Also, it was shaped by the finest wood craftsmen in the UK (pianos, cabinets, chairs, wardrobes) because De Havilliand was moved that - except as infantry - all the skills of these artisans were basically not utilised in the war effort.

[@wor53lg50]

Good ole strong reliant imported canadian spruce i beleive! , and sheer coincidental as the wood suppy was really labelled for the making of ptb's, vospers, fairmilles and landing craft, in fact most of the time it was the off cuts that made the first mozzies...

[@jeremypearson6852]

The Spitfire usually gets most of the glory in WWII, but the Mosquito may have done more to win the war. You can see how emotional those pilots get when they recount some of the tragedies.

[@waynevanstanley3795]

I agree with you in principle, but because of the Spitfire's place in the Battle of Britain, the Mosquito will have to accept second billing in English WWII Air Lore

[@glennfryer1539]

Not forgetting the amazing "HURRICANE"

[@kevinbartram5302]

I can recommend a trip to the De-havilland museum. I went a few years ago and thought a few hours would see around the small museum. it was so fascinating I was there all day and wanted to go back the next day.

[@dld4045]

Those daring young men in there Mosquito Flying Machines and those that made it possible! Thank you.

[@brianjones7660]

The difficult we can do immediately ...the impossible may take some planning.....👍

[@gayludington197]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣!!

[@jimparsons6803]

Seen a bit on PBS about these planes a decade or so back. Darned clever engineers and carpenters.

[@garypollock2611]

My dad was a mechnic with the a night fighter's unit during the war. He just love the mossie. He also worked on the beaufighter

[@jamiesaunder611]

I love listening too these war guys talk of there missions , I could listen for hours . I salute you

[@wmden1]

I always had a thing for sleeper vehicles, and, in my opinion, the Mosquito was quite the sleeper, at first glance. I have read about them for, perhaps 25 years, since I discovered them in a WWII encyclopedia, a gift from my, now deceased, wife. They have really nice lines, but don't bring much attention to their power to weight ratio, except the exhaust setup is a bit of a give away, to somebody a with a little knowledge on the subject. All of that said, I believe there were only 3, prop driven planes, that were as fast, or a bit faster, during the war. I think they were; the Merlin powered 351 Mustang, The Vought Corsair, and the German Dornier Do 335, which, the latter saw no combat. The mosquito is my favorite.

[@andreasleonardo6793]

Nice video about wooden mosquito aircraft for royal airforces with amazing motives views and clear explaining of its characters & specific capability ...interest and enjoyable video thanks for sending

[@Skipjack7814]

Ive been a barber since 1988. Back then our shop had lots of WW II Veterans, most of them were 63, 65 years old. Since i was always reading WW II History, the Vets would tell me what they'd done, and where, etc, during the war. Fast forward to 2020, and after all these years of fighter pilots, bomber guys, i finally made the acquaintance of a hundred year old New Zealander who joined the R.A.F. in '39 and flew those 'Mosquitoes!' I asked him if he thought hed could still fly one, and he said "sure! I dont know if i could land it, but i could certainly fly it!"

[@aliveRaptor2929]

Tremendous recognition of an amazing aircraft of its time and worthy of more praise

[@victorlz7cw902]

Being born in 1946 I thank these Brave men and women for keeping my language English....

[@argusmac9056]

The allies didn't develop the Mosquito - the British did.

[@EddieBeaumontThomas]

He's not British, so when he refers to the allies he means the British.

[@kevingoodwin5177]

@@EddieBeaumontThomas He, the narrator is Canadian, Canada produced about 1200 Mosquitoes and pilots from all over the Commonwealth flew them. Hence... he mentions allies.

[@barracuda7018]

So what?? it didn't win the war..

[@dm2781632]

@@barracuda7018 it went a long to help,. The Allies didn’t develop anything. This was a wold class British plane and they should get the credit.

[@kevingoodwin5177]

@@dm2781632 They did not have the capacity or raw materials necessary to produce it in enough volume without help from the Commonwealth allies.

[@thomasstaal6]

Stealth is obviously not that new! Thanks to the greatest and most beautiful airplane ever - and to the fearless men that flew them!

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

it was a happy accident that stealth came about,as wood does not reflect radar !!!

[@Phillip3DPrintingCom]

Fun fact: When the Mozzie was sent to the tropics, the glue in the wood used to attract....mosquitos. Pilots hated it.

[@HeavyK.]

So cool. Some of the weird stuff the British came up with was just brilliant.

[@davidrubinlang8301]

The British are what they call the cream of the crop. Wherever they descend into that area becomes well-developed and turned into towns and cities, and into much in demand real estate. They are genius in practically anything, and of course, when Britain in its hour of need (for survival) needed a bomber that could double as fighter in order to defeat Germany, English engineers knew they had what it takes to design one, and did single-handedly without outside help whatsoever! The allied forces were lucky to have the Mosquito fighter-bombers to help them in world war 2!

[@sailoroftheinternet3290]

couldn't agree more

[@nickdanger3802]

That Time the British Tried to Save Its Empire with Peanuts (And the Hilarity that Ensued) Today I Found Out kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKLTlIiDiKygb80

[@jackthebassman1]

Another unbeatable, superb documentary by Norm, thank you sir.

[@edgaraquino2324]

Thank you for this video! I saw the movie "633 Squadron" and it was love at first sight...my favorite configuration is the "fighter - bomber"...I enjoyed seeing the testimony of the veterans and the discussions of their missions...brave men all...God bless them...

[@johndunn4228]

Great production that you have created and wrapped around the personal stories of the brave men who fought with these flying machines. I am sure I will be watching many more here. Thanks to you for the great lesson and to all who serve for their sacrifices.

[@richardcolton4125]

flying low through exploding debris in a wooden plane ... incredible

[@Kaiju-Driver]

Amazing content as usual. this airplane has quickly become one of my favorites

[@superEntity874]

What I like most about this documentary, is the host. I feel like when he looks at the camera, when he talks, he's talking to an invididual, and telling them a tale. It's a deep level of attention. Feels like he's telling me face to face. which really brings home the story. It's personal and intimate. Thanks for sharing this.

[@peebeedee6757]

He's Canadian Norm Christie, well known there for history documentaries. The film was original made for Canadian TV.

[@Enid2Sacramento]

Fantastic aircraft. I must've read "Night FIghter" a dozen times. Thanks for posting.

[@ralphculham4669]

What a terrific story on the Mosquito and the airmen who put their lives on the line every mission. Then there is the story behind the story of the men and women involved in building the aircraft in Ontario then getting them over to the UK.

[@markmitchell450]

Yet many of those Canadian buiit plane's failed due to problems with the glue

[@wor53lg50]

​@@markmitchell450cant really blame our faithfull stoic canadian brothers and sisters for that, ive heard it had a lot due with the climate and atmospheric conditions there? being obviously much colder than uk, causing the glue and resin solution to be mixed different to make it soluble and workable...

[@ditto1958]

The Mosquito goes in for a strafing run at an airfield at about 6:58, but when it opens fire it turns into a P-38.

[@tomcox2565]

Awesome episode! My Dad told me about a mosquito that use to fly overhead during the WW2 early 40’s in Etobicoke ( west Toronto ) I guess they trained in the area. He said it was the most amazing aircraft.

[@Shadowace724]

I have learned a lot about the Mosquito in the last year, what an amazing aircraft! You have a new subscriber and thank you for the great video.

[@tnwhiskey68]

Feeling safe in your combat vehicle makes you take risks you wouldn't if you did not feel safe! I'm glad they did feel safe in these!

[@alankenney]

Some of the weirdest Merlin sounds I have ever heard. They've used any plane engine sounds they could find to overdub what was silent film.

[@littlefluffybushbaby7256]

I think nearly all the footage of air combat was silent although there is an audio recording of a bombing mission. As for the overdubbing this may give you a clue as to it's authenticity... "Content owned and licensed from Breakthrough Entertainment" That's Entertainment. It's historically-based entertainment as are all documentaries to some extent. No, a large extent. Sometimes I think we forget about the limitations of any documentary. Through editing, added sound, music, and naration they are only a stone's throw (and smaller budget) away from movies.

[@brucebretschneider696]

Also notice the caption doesn't always match the voice, eg, the voice says "bomber stream" and the caption doesn't say that at all. Otherwise, great film for things that took place when I was very young.

[@dirkusmaximus9268]

By far my most favourite plane of World War 2. Furthermore: FW-190, Hellcat and P-38.