Whilst looking for German shipping hiding in Norwegian fjords, Coastal Command aircraft were forced to dive steeply between precipitous, snow-capped mountains. On December 5th, 34 Mosquitoes of Coastal Command, Banff Wing, armed with cannon and rocket projectiles, attacked enemy shipping lying in the eastern end of Nordgulen Fjord Norway. The aircraft dived from a height of 5,000 ft to mast height at an angle of 45 degrees at a speed of over 300 miles an hour. They also had to run the gauntlet of flak from merchant vessels averaging 3,000 tons each and two escort vessels were attacked – all the ships were left burning. (Film includes good aerial shots of a Mosquito of No. 248 Sqn RAF and attacks on ships in fjord.)
Another clip of the same attack.
Alan Malcher 