Date: 30th January 1943
Unit: No. 105 Squadron
Type: Mosquito IV
Serial: DZ367
Coded: GB-J
Location: Altengrabow, Germany
Pilot: S/Ldr. Donald Frederick William Darling D.F.C. 40368 R.A.F. Age; 24, Killed
Nav: F/O. William Wright 116695 R.A.F.V.R. Age; 34, Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
Took off at 13.25 hrs from Marham, Norfolk for a very dramatic and daring raid into Berlin to interrupt large rallies addressed by Nazi leaders in Berlin on this day. The raid was in two formations with 3 Mosquito's on each. The first 3 reached Berlin and bombed at mid morning - the exact time that Goering was due to speak. The speech was delayed for an hour - these 3 Mosquitos returned all safe. In the afternoon the next formation of 3 arrived at the time that Goebbels was due to speak and all again bombed at the correct time. German defences however had been alerted and DZ367 was shot down by the defensive flak and both crew members were killed. The other 2 returned safe.
Mosquito IV DZ367
105 Squadron Mosquito's lined up - DZ367 2nd from the bottom (courtesy of Mike Harrison)
DZ367 - being loaded. (courtesy of Mike Harrison)
Map showing location of DZ367 (courtesy of Mike Harrison)
Burial Details:
Donald Frederick William Darling Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery Joint grave 2. A. 8-9
Son of Frederick William and Winifred May of Balham, London.
William Wright Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery Joint grave 2. A. 8-9
Son of William Smith Wright and Lizzie; husband of Beatrice Mary of Bedford.
With thanks to the following: Bill Chorley - "Bomber Command Losses Vol 3", Martin Middlebrook "Bomber Command War Diaries". The C.W.G.C.
