All too often the smaller aircraft types which served Bomber Command receive little attention. 608 Squadron in 1944/45 was a Pathfinder and light night striking squadron operating DeHavilland Mosquito aircraft. Alan Beavis DFM was a Navigator and flew 55 operational sorties towards the end of the war. He trained in Australia at Mt. Gambier and Port Pirie before being posted to England.

His operational time was 219.30 hours night operations and 7.20 day. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal on one of the daylight operations when they had to take over as lead aircraft.

A page from Alan’s logbook showing several of the 25 operational sorties to Berlin.

608 Squadron members pose on one of their Mosquitos. The later Mk XVI could carry the 4,000 pound ‘Cookie’ blast bomb.

Alan on leave in London

A couple of images of one of Alan’s maps showing the route taken to Berlin, known to crews as ‘The Big City’.

Alan was interviewed by Keith Webb for the Temora Aviation Museum’s Unsung Heroes project in 2017.