James’s end

**********************January 2nd 1945****************************

The De-Havilland Mosquito FB (Fighter Bomber) was fully fuelled and ready to go. Captain James Shaw took a deep pull on his Players cigarette. Sergeant Trubshaw kicked lazily at a mound of grass beneath his feet. Captain Shaw said,

“Right Trubs lets go no reason to put this off”

The two seasoned RAF aircrew walked around to the starboard side of The De-Havilland Mosquito. The entry door was open. Sergeant Trubshaw climbed the ladder and pulled himself into the small cockpit. He sat on his parachute which formed part of his seat. He immediately took out the map of Germany that was stored in his leg pocket. Captain Shaw as per standard RAF procedure walked around the ground breaking multi role aircraft. He checked the flaps and ailerons for full and correct movement. He also walked to the tail and checked the elevators and rudder for correct function.

Captain Shaw climbed up the ladder. Just as he was set to pull himself into the cockpit a ground mechanic said,

“Sir sorry you need to sign the 601 form”

Captain Shaw replied,

“Your quite correct airman”

He leaned down and put his signature on the 601 form which meant he agreed to take charge of the aircraft and to his knowledge the aircraft appeared to be in good order for flight. The entry door was closed as Captain Shaw entered the Mosquito and sat down in the forward pilots seat. Trubs said,

“Ok Captain I have our course plotted to Germany then its your decision as to the target”

Captain Shaw replied,

“ Its our decision Trubs we have to agree on the target on this Rhubarb”

( A rhubarb is a lone intruder low level raid for targets of opportunity in the enemies back yard; Germany!) After a brief radio check Captain Shaw primed the fuel system. It took 16 strokes of the priming handle for the low fuel pressure warning light to be extinguished. Flipping the metal covers off the starter buttons Captain Shaw started the port Rolls Royce Merlin V12 Aero engine. A cloud of blue/grey smoke drifted across the grass airfield as the two high powered high octane drinking engines coughed into life.

In the bomb bay there were two 500lbs general purpose high explosive bombs. The Mosquito was of an all wooden construction baring engine mountings and a few vital systems. This gave the De-Havilland Mosquito an incredible speed. Un-laden the aircraft was capable of 410mph relative ground speed! Captain Shaw pulled back the cocking lever on the 4x 0.50 calibre cannons. At the same time he made sure the small red coloured firing button was shielded. A mistake if not engaged could end in loss of life for anyone standing in the way of the deadly Mosquito.