INSTEP MISSIONS
The Mosquito was a potent adversary typically only shot down by flak or, in daylight, by aircraft such as the Fw 190. However, as Chris Goss explains, a series of important missions put Mossie crews at risk
In December 1942, Mosquito Mk.II night-fighters of 264 Squadron, led by Wing Commander Hamish Kerr AFC, were detached from RAF Colerne in Wiltshire. Flying in small numbers to Cornwall, they were to complete Ranger or Instep sorties.
On December 10, 1942, the squadron was instructed to remove its airborne interception radar from six aircraft and then on December 28, these were ordered to RAF Trebalzue in Cornwall for New Year’s Eve. They were led by Squadron Leader Mike Constable-Maxwell, a successful pilot who had flown over Dunkirk and during the Battle of Britain.
The detachment’s first patrol over the Bay of Biscay, flown by Flight Lieutenant Walter Gibb and Flight Sergeant Bill Reddie, took place without incident on January 6, 1943. Officially, Insteps were operations in the Western Approaches and Bay of Biscay against German fighters molesting Coastal Command aircraft while Rangers were Squadron (Wing or Group) freelance intrusions specifically to draw up German fighters.
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