REVIEW BY COLIN POMEROY
Despite the title of this book, there is little detail about the Mosquito’s development or performance within its pages. But that is the only disappointment, for Rowland White’s new history of the ‘wooden wonder’ is otherwise an excellent one. It tells the story of the aircraft’s leading role alongside the brave men and women of the Danish resistance movement and the British espionage services ahead of Operation Carthage, the bombing of the Gestapo headquarters in Copenhagen, in March 1945.
The build-up to that ‘most extraordinary mission’ is an extensive one, however, with the author beginning his story in early 1943, at the time of the successful Mosquito attack on the Burmeister and Wain diesel-engine factory in Copenhagen. He also provides thrilling accounts of the strike on Schott optical works at Mainz, and Operation Jericho, the pinpoint bombing on Amiens Prison in early 1944.
The next raid occurred on 31 October that year, when 25 Mosquitos attacked Aarhus University, used by the Gestapo and SS as a headquarters. This raid had come at the urgent request of the Danish resistance, who were being tortured and murdered by their occupiers. The Gestapo and SS had become highly skilled at penetrating the organisation, and the attack on the university was primarily intended to destroy the Nazi records of resistance personnel. It was a success, and gave the resistance some much needed breathing space.
Voices on the Path