Today the Shell-house (a Gestapo HQ) in the very heart of Copenhagen was bombed by Mosquitos of the RAF. It was a success (21 resistance prisoners escaped) but one Mossie (Kleboe) hit a mast and the 2’nd wave hit the subsequent crash site. It was a school and more than 100 children and teachers were killed.
By: atc pal - 22nd March 2005 at 20:37
10 members of the “Mosquito Aircrew Association” attended ceremonies yesterday. One of the actual aircrew taking part still survives in Australia. The man holding the Danish flag is a former member of the Danish Resistance. The armband was only worn 5’th May 1945 – or later, of course.
(Picture: Scanpix)
There were cameracrews flying with the raid and the footage has been used in an old documentary in Danish TV. The low flying is – well – to be seen! Crossing the North Sea an oily film of salt build on the windscreen of Embry’s Mosquito. He cleared some of it, but was deeply dependent on navigator Peter Clapham calling out obstructions. (Powerlines etc.) The general altitude was “below treetop”.
Alan125. I’ll dig out some much more knowledgeable than me, concerning Danish history in, or around, WWII.
Best regards
By: allan125 - 22nd March 2005 at 15:22
B.160 Kastrup
Hi – further to you piece about the Shell House raid I took a look at the site looking for anything about B.160 Kastrup. My father was there just after VE-Day having come up through the German lines as part of the ground echelon of 125 Wing and I am always looking for anything new – cheers – Allan
By: atc pal - 21st March 2005 at 17:53
Here is a quick resumé.
http://www.milhist.dk/besattelsen/shell/shell.html
Best regards
By: atc pal - 21st March 2005 at 17:47
Basil Embry led the attack and had a book published in 1957: “Mission Completed”. A very brave man indeed!
My father was a blacksmith apprentice 40 miles west of Copenhagen at the time and noticed a Mustang going west after the attack (by the very different sound from the “normal” Bf 109’s).
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March 21, 2005 at 5:34 pm