Operation: Test flight

Date: 1st March 1945 (Thursday)

Unit: 219 Squadron

Type: Mosquito NF30

Serial: MM706

Base: B.48 France

Location: Amiens, Northern France

Pilot: Wg Cdr. Wilfrith Peter Green 'Pete' DSO DFC 39518 RAF Age 30. Killed

Nav: Not aboard .

REASON FOR LOSS:

Lost height after vibration on a test flight and flew into the ground near Amiens.

A Mosquito pilot, he served in 85, 96 and 219 Squadrons. In August 1944, 219 Squadron moved to RAF Hunsdon whereby Wing Commander Green took up the role of Commanding Officer.

His victories include:

14/15th April 1943 - 1 Dornier 217-E-4 destroyed. Flt Sgt. A.R.Grimstone, (1) Navigator. 16/17th May 1943 - 1 FW 190A-4/U8. 26/27th July 1943 - 1 Ju 88. 14/15th May 1944 - 1 Ju 88 destroyed. Other claims include ten more aircraft and 13 V-1’s

Wg Cdr. Wilfrith Peter Green DSO. DFC (courtesy Joe Fukuto, Aces of WW2) and on his wedding day to Barbara Lucy Green (courtesy Robert Stedall and family)

His navigator, Wg Cdr. Douglas 'Duggie' Oxby DSO DFC DFM (Bar) had the highest claims for confirmed enemy aircraft destroyed for a navigator of WW2. He passed away on the 10th April 2009 at Toronto, Canada. Age 88. Further details of both Duggie and his pilot can be read in the obituary for Wg Cdr. Oxby.

DFC citation - 85 Squadron reads-

'This officer has displayed excellent skill and determination in night flying operations during which he has destroyed two enemy aircraft. He is an excellent flying commander and has controlled materially two of the highest standards of operational efficiency of his formation. Squadron Leader Green has displayed great courage and devotion to his duty.

He was promoted to Flying Officer on the third of September 1940.'

DSO citation - 219 Squadron reads-

'This officer has displayed the highest standard of keenness and devotion to duty in operations against the enemy. Since being awarded the DFC, Wing Commander Green has completed a large number of sorties. His success includes the destruction of seven enemy aircraft. Three of which he shot down on one night in October 1944. His sterling values have been well reflected in the high standard of efficiency of the Squadron he commands'

(1) Plt Off. Arthur Reginald Grimstone DFM 195380 RAFVR was later killed with 85 Squadron on the 14th March 1945 when Mosquito NF30 MV541 VY:S was hit by American A/A fire. The pilot, Flt Lt. Ian Alexander Dobie 101046 RAFVR managed to bale out.

Wilfrith Green with Doug Oxby admire a leather elephant memento

Burial Details:

Wg Cdr. Wilfrith Peter Green DSO DFC St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen. Block 'S'. Plot 1. Row M. Grave 20. Son of Brigadier-General Wilfrith Green, CB CMG DSO and Mrs Lilian Green of South House, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, husband of Barbara Lucy Green (née Preston) of Chelsea, London. He is also remembered on the Beaconsfield War memorial, as is his brother-in-law, Cecil Herbert Sansome Preston, Coldstream Guards, killed at Dunkirk on 30th May 1940.

St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen France

Researched by Aircrew Remembered, researcher and specialist genealogist Linda Ibrom for relatives of this crew. With thanks to the following: Robert Stedall and family for all the information, the wedding photo and photo of Beaconsfield War Memorial. Also to Tom Malyn. Further thanks to Joe Fukuto, (Aces of WW2 site) for the uniformed photo of Squadron Leader Green. Other sources as quoted below.

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