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The
de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito is a
British multi-role combat aircraft with a two-man crew which served during and after the
Second World War. It was one of few operational front-line aircraft of the era constructed almost entirely of wood and was nicknamed "The Wooden Wonder". The Mosquito was also known affectionately as the "Mossie" to its crews. Originally conceived as an unarmed
fast bomber, the Mosquito was adapted to roles including low to medium-altitude daytime
tactical bomber, high-altitude
night bomber,
pathfinder,
day or
night fighter,
fighter-bomber,
intruder,
maritime strike aircraft, and fast
photo-reconnaissance aircraft. It was also used by the
British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) as a fast transport to carry small high-value cargoes to, and from,
neutral countries, through
enemy-controlled airspace. A single passenger could be carried in the aircraft's bomb bay, which would be adapted for the purpose.
When production of the Mosquito began in 1941, it was one of the fastest operational aircraft in the world. Entering widespread service in 1942, the Mosquito was a high-speed, high-altitude photo-reconnaissance aircraft, continuing in this role throughout the war. From mid-1942 to mid-1943, Mosquito bombers flew high-speed, medium or low-altitude missions against factories, railways and other pinpoint targets in Germany and German-occupied Europe. From late 1943, Mosquito bombers were formed into the
Light Night Strike Force and used as pathfinders for
RAF Bomber Command's heavy-bomber raids. They were also used as "nuisance" bombers, often dropping Blockbuster bombs –
4,000 lb (1,812 kg) "cookies" – in high-altitude, high-speed raids that German night fighters were almost powerless to intercept.
As a night fighter from mid-1942, the Mosquito intercepted
Luftwaffe raids on the
United Kingdom, notably those of
Operation Steinbock in 1944. Starting in July 1942, Mosquito night-fighter units raided
Luftwaffe airfields. As part of
100 Group, it was a night fighter and intruder supporting
RAF Bomber Command's heavy bombers that reduced bomber losses during 1944 and 1945. As a fighter-bomber in the
Second Tactical Air Force, the Mosquito took part in "special raids", such as the
attack on Amiens Prison in early 1944, and in precision attacks against
Gestapo or German intelligence and security forces. Second Tactical Air Force Mosquitos supported the
British Army during the 1944
Normandy Campaign. From 1943, Mosquitos with
RAF Coastal Command strike squadrons attacked
Kriegsmarine U-boats (particularly in 1943 in the
Bay of Biscay, where significant numbers were sunk or damaged) and intercepted transport ship concentrations.
The Mosquito flew with the
Royal Air Force (RAF) and other air forces in the
European,
Mediterranean and
Italian theatres. The Mosquito was also operated by the RAF in the
South East Asian theatre, and by the
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) based in
the Halmaheras and
Borneo during the
Pacific War. During the 1950s, the RAF replaced the Mosquito with the jet-powered
English Electric Canberra.