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WW2 Pilot's Near-Death Dive at 105
28 Feb
Summary
- A 105-year-old WW2 pilot recounts a terrifying dive over Hanover in 1944.
- He piloted a de Havilland DH98 Mosquito, the world's fastest aircraft then.
- The pilot survived flak, engine failure, and a jet fighter attack.
Colin Bell, celebrating his 105th birthday, recounts his terrifying first taste of war in September 1944. Flying a de Havilland DH98 Mosquito, known as the 'Wooden Wonder' for its wood and glue construction, he and his navigator, Doug Redmond, bombed Hanover. The aircraft, the world's fastest operational plane, offered a thrilling but perilous experience, likened to flying a Ferrari.
During the raid, intense enemy searchlights and anti-aircraft fire filled the sky. Bell's Mosquito was targeted near a German naval base, forcing him into a gut-wrenching vertical dive to escape. The aircraft's controls were unresponsive due to the speed and descent rate, but Bell managed to regain control just before impact.
Bell, one of the few surviving Bomber Command veterans, served in the Light Night Striking Force. Their Mosquitos carried four 500lb bombs and achieved speeds of 420mph, outmatching their frequent opponents, the Messerschmitt Me 109. He also discusses the ethical debates surrounding area bombing and the immense bravery required by aircrews.
