333. Squadron RNAF code KK-H serial RF 590 11.04 1945
A force of 35 Mosquitos from Banff Strike Wing, escorted by eight Mustangs of 19 Sqdn from Peterhead took off for an attack on shipping in Porsgrunn harbor. They were soon attacked by FW 190's and Messerschmitt's of 16.JG 5 based at Rygge. Two of the Mosquitos were shot down.
Fenrik Johannes (Jacken) Wollert Løken and Sgt./ Navigator Stephan Henrik Engstrøm lost their lives when their burning Mosquito crashed into rocky ground in Svarttjerndalen, Naksjø and exploded. Uffz.Heinz Schoppert claimed this Mosquito.
The boats destroyed/damaged in the attack were: D/S Kalmar, D/S Dione, "Nordsjø" D/S Dixie, "Helgoland", "Skagen" and "Traust".
The second Mosquito, OY-N serial RS-505 of 235 Sqdn made a successful, forced landing on frozen lake Langen.
F/Lt. Philip R. Davenport and F/O Ron T. Day became PoW's.
The Mustangs managed to shot down two Bf 109's: Lt. Adolf Gillet (KIA) was shot down by James D. Howells. Fhr.Schüler was shot down by Reginald Sims. Fhr.Shüler managed to parachute and survived.
A Mustang Mk.IV (YT-F) was shot down by Uffz.Otto Ach. The Mustang pilot, F/Lt. Frederick Hiley Bradford lost his life.
Sources: "Flyalarm" by Hafsten-Olsen-Larssuvold-Stenersen. "Luftkrigens minnesmerker" by Stein Vyrje. Article in "Vi Menn" by Flemming Melin Christiansen.
