NS635 Patches

media-13089.jpeg UPL 13089 1st Lt Wendell Biggers, navigator, and de Havilland DH 98 Mosquito PR XVI NS635 'Patches' 653rd BS, 25th BG, 8th AF, Watton. Robert Lee Collection

USAAF Photo.

Object Number - UPL 13089 - 1st Lt Wendell Biggers, navigator, and de Havilland DH 98 Mosquito PR XVI NS635 'Patches' 653rd BS, 25th BG, 8th AF, Watton.

Landing Accident - RAF Watton, 16/9/45 - Minor damage - pilot Robert L. Lee.

Mis-identified and shot down by a USAAF B-24 of the 446th Bomb Group at about 10:30 hrs 4/4/45. The group commander, Lt. Col. Troy W. Crawford, was aboard the Mosquito and took full responsibility for the mistake. The Liberators had been under attack by German jets and the bomber crews were previously ordered to open fire on any aircraft that came within a specified range of their guns. The escort fighter units were informed of this but the Mosquito pilot, Lt. Theodore B. Smith, was not properly briefed. He flew too close while Crawford was taking pictures of the B-24s and one of the gunners blasted the Mosquito out of the sky. The pilot and passenger bailed out safely and became POWs for the duration. Crash site between Parchim and Wesendorf, Germany.

Crew: Lt. Theodore B. SMITH (pilot) USAAF - POW, Lt. Col. Troy W. CRAWFORD (pass.) USAAF - POW.

Connections

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Units served with

A B-26 Marauder of the 654th Bomb Squadron, 25th Bomb Group, parked on a runway. Handwritten on reverse: '654 BS.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Reconnaissance

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 25th Bomb Group 653rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19103296 / O-?
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 446th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: O-272074
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 25th Bomb Group 653rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Crew Cheif
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Civilian
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 25th Bomb Group 653rd Bomb Squadron
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 25th Bomb Group 447th Bomb Group 653rd Bomb Squadron 711th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Crashed

Watton, Thetford, Norfolk IP25, UK 16 September 1944 Minor damage - Landing Accident - RAF Watton - pilot Robert L. Lee.

Crashed

Wesendorf, Germany 4 April 1945 NS635 - Miss-identified and shot down by a USAAF B-24 of the 446th Bomb Group at about 10:30 hrs. The group commander, Lt. Col. Troy W. Crawford, was aboard the Mosquito and took full responsibility for the mistake. The Liberators had been under attack by German jets and the bomber crews were previously ordered to open fire on any aircraft that came within a specified range of their guns. The escort fighter units were informed of this but the Mosquito pilot, Lt. Theodore B. Smith, was not properly briefed. He flew too close while Crawford was taking pictures of the B-24s and one of the gunners blasted the Mosquito out of the sky. The pilot and passenger bailed out safely and became POWs for the duration. Crash site between Parchim and Wesendorf, Germany. Crew: Lt. Theodore B. SMITH (pilot) USAAF - POW, Lt. Col. Troy W. CRAWFORD (pass.) USAAF - POW.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

USAAF Photo.

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

USAAF Photo.

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 164683

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

USAAF Photo / Production list / www.mossie.org

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 13948 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

NS635: Gallery (3 items)