D.H. ‘Mosquito’ plastic model kit 1/144 scale in natural metallic finishing and sporting “SEAC’ (South East Asia Command) blue/white roundel minus the centre ‘red’. For operations in the East for sake avoid un-necessary confusion with the Japanese ‘red’ meatball insignia. It could happen that in the melee of a dog-fight, trigger-happy pilots would not hesitate to blast off any glimpses of red.
The mosquito a 2-seat, twin-engine fighter-bomber was built entirely of wood and affectionately known as the ‘wooden wonder’. Two Rolls- Royce Merlin (1,635 hp, each) powered the sleek, elegantly design aircraft giving her a maximum speed of 375 mph, an advantage of fast speed to outrun pursuing fighters. It’s operational ceiling 27,887 and a operational range of 1,905 miles.Armed with 4x British Hispano 20mm cannons in the nose.
Did you know that the first Allied aircraft to land Singapore after the surrender was the De Havilland Mosquito. As we know that on the 6th August USAF B-29’ (Enola Gay) dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima; followed by another A-bomb on the 9th August on Nagasaki ; the two bombs totally devastated the two cities and killed hundreds of thousands. On the 15th August Emperor Hirohito broadcast the order calling to surrender and finally the official surrender ceremony was held on board the US battleship ‘Missouri’ at Tokyo Bay on the 2nd September 1945 (Sunday). US Gen. Douglas MacArthur accepted the surrender from the Japanese. .
1st September, 1945 a Mosquito piloted by Flt. Lt.Andrews and warrant officer Painter belonging to No.684 Squadron RAF based at Cocos Island flew off on a ‘Recce Mission’. However over Singapore, it developed engine-trouble and left with the decision either land his aircraft in Singapore which was still in enemy hands or continue his return journey and risk ditching at sea. Wisely he decided to land at the Kallang Airport.(built in 1937). He circled to check-out before he came to land safely. As he taxied slowly, armed Japanese soldiers came out to meet. I supposed they were totally surprised and must have felt agitated of this un-invited guest popping out from the sky. The ground marshal waving flag directed Andrew to the parking bay. Then followed a sequence of trying to make each other understand until a interpreter was found.
Obviously the Japanese had already had their surrender instructions and ceased fighting. So arrangements were made to fetch RAF prisoners-of-war from Changi (mechanics) to make repairs.Strangely the fortunate two spent that night as guest of their enemy. The next day they flew out thus having the distinction of being the first to return Singapore.after a absent of three and a half years.
Actually the preliminary signing of the terms of agreement for surrender took place on board the old British 3-stacker cruiser HMS ‘Sussex’ on her arrival Singapore on 4th September. The Japanese delegation led by Gen.Itagaki was summoned on board where they were met by the British counterpart onboard led by Gen. Sir Christison.
However the official surrender of the Imperial Japanese Forces in Singapore was ceremoniously held on the 12th September 1945 before a large gathering at the City Hall. The Supreme Commander, South East Asia, Admiral Mountbatten accepted the surrender from the Japanese Gen.Itagaki.
After the British returned for re-occupation of Malaya and Singapore, they had problems with their former comrade-in-arms the MPAJA (The Malayan People’s Anti-Japanese Army); the Malayan Communist Party. It broke into open armed conflict in 1948 after killing of planters. The British immediately declared it as the ‘Malayan Emergency’; an un-declared war. The Royal Air Force launched an aerial campaign called ‘Operation Firedog’ (1948 – 1960) and all air assets were deployed against the Communist terrorists from single-engine Spitfire, Tempest, to twin-engine Beau-fighter, Brigand, Mosquito, Hornet to four-engine Avro Lincoln heavy bombers.
The RAF No.81 a Photographic Reconnaissance squadron which operated from Seletar, Singapore had some 9 Mosquito and 5 Spitfire Mk.19’s. It gave valuable service and Mosquito Mk.34 (RG 314) flew it’s last operational sortie against the terrorist in ‘Operation Firedog’ in December, 1956. Some 7,781 Mosquito were built in various versions as fighters, night-fighter, fighter-bombers and photographic-reconnaissance. It was also built outside Britain under-licence in Australia and Canada; truly a wonderful war machine.
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