On the night of 27th May 1943 this 426 Squadron aircraft took off from Dishforth airfield at 22.56hrs to undertake an operational flight to bomb Essen. The crew released their bomb load onto target markers through 5/10th cloud cover at 01.10hrs from 15,500ft. Just after releasing their bomb load the aircraft was damaged by a flak burst which was
later found to have damaged the astrodome, bomb-aimer's window, the rear turret and the port engine with the propeller also sustained damage with holes being made
in a blade. The tail of the aircraft also sustained damage but despite the damage the crew were able to make a safe return to Yorkshire and land
safely at base of Dishforth at 04.03hrs on 28th May 1943. Sgt Duerr was flying as a second pilot for operational experience in the aircraft before beginning operational
flying with 426 Squadron with his own crew.
Pilot - Sgt Frederick John Stuart RAFVR (658038).
Second Pilot - Sgt W F Duerr (..221).
Navigator - F/O Roderick James Dunphy RCAF (J/13843).
Bomb Aimer - F/O Albert John Rudman RAFVR (129613).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt John William Flynn RAFVR (1331369).
Air Gunner - Sgt George Varnum Andrew RCAF (R/90358).
On the night of 20th / 21st October 1943 at least Stuart, Dunphy and Andrew were flying in Lancaster DS686 undertaking an operational
flight to bomb Leipzig when the aircraft was badly damaged by enemy action. I have yet to buy the 426 Squadron ORB for this month but in
all probability Rudman and Flynn were also on board. The Mid Upper Gunner, Sgt Francis McGovern RAF (2208882)(later DFC) was injured in
the attack but George Andrew returned fire. The crew were able to bring the damaged aircraft home and Sgt McGovern was admitted to
hospital where spent four months recovering. As it would turn out his injuries actually saved his life. For their actions on this night
Frederick Stuart was awarded the CGM (Gazetted on 19th November 1943) and F/O Roderick Dunphy was awarded the DFC (Gazetted on 8th May 1945).
The citation for Frederick Stuart's award of the CGM reads..
"One night in October 1943, this airman piloted an aircraft detailed to attack Leipzig. Before the target was reached the
aircraft was intercepted by a fighter which attacked with great persistence. Much damage was sustained before Flight
Sergeant Stuart succeeded in flying clear. Shortly afterwards, another fighter made a series of attacks, but with
superb skill, Flight Sergeant Stuart evaded them. His aircraft was badly crippled. The cockpits, turrets, hydraulic
gear and other essential equipment were damaged. The petrol tanks had been pierced, and one of the gunners wounded.
Undaunted, this valiant pilot went on to bomb his target, and afterwards flew the crippled bomber to base where he
effected a masterly landing. In the face of heavy odds, this airman set an example of courage, resolution and devotion
to duty beyond praise."
The recommendation for his CGM dated 23rd October 1943 gives more details: "During the attack on Leipzig on the night
of the 20th October 1943, Flight Sergeant Stuart was captain of a Lancaster aircraft
which was twice engaged by enemy night fighters. The first attack came from a Messerschmitt 109 while en route to the target.
The attack was pressed home and direct hits from cannon and machine guns raked the bomber causing serious damage and wounding
the mid-upper air gunner. After a total of four attacks the Messerschmitt 109 was forced to break off the engagement due to
the pilot's skilful evasive action. Flight Sergeant Stuart was no sooner on his course when a Junkers 88 attacked. The pilot
again evaded three attacks, his superb airmanship enabling him to outmanoeuvre the enemy fighter with his crippled bomber.
Despite severe damage, including shattered cockpits and turrets, holed petrol tanks, damaged hydraulics and navigational
instruments destroyed, and a gunner wounded, the pilot decided to complete his mission and again set course for the target.
After successfully bombing the primary objective, Flight Sergeant Stuart guided his crippled bomber back to base and made a
masterly landing. This display of offensive spirit, gallantry and superb airmanship in face of heavy odds undoubtedly saved
the aircraft and the crew."
All of the above named except the second pilot, Sgt Duerr, were flying together in Lancaster LL630 on 20th/21st December 1943
when the aircraft was shot down over Germany by a night-fighter. All are buried in Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany.
Albert Rudman received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 28th August 1942 and rose to F/O on 28th February 1943.
John Flynn received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 14th June 1943 and rose to F/O on 14th December 1943.
Frederick Stuart was born in 1916 in the Newcastle area and was working as a clerk when he joined the British Army. He later
transferred from Royal Artillery to the RAF in 1941. Frederick Stuart received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 4th April
1943 but the notification was only printed in the London Gazette on 16th November 1943.
Roderick Dunphy was born in Souris, Manitoba in 1923 and was living in Winnipeg when he enlisted into the RCAF there in September 1942. He received his commission in 1942. For his actions during the same events as his captain he was awarded the DFC, but Gazetted much later on 8th May 1945. The citation for his DFC reads.. "Flight Lieutenant Dunphy has taken part in numerous operational sorties, the majority of which have been directed against major German targets. During a mission to Leipzig in October 1943, his aircraft was twice engaged by enemy fighters and sustained in all seven attacks. The aircraft suffered severe damage and all the navigational instruments were destroyed. Despite this, Flight Lieutenant Dunphy by superb navigation directed the pilot to the target and back to base. This officer has invariably shown a high degree of skill and courage."
Sgt Duerr I have lost trace of at 426 Squadron after he flew a number of Ops in Wellingtons. 426 Squadron sent their crews to 1679 Heavy Conversion Flight for conversion to Lancasters but he does not appear to have gone alone.
Wellington HE417 was built to contract B.124362/40 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd. at Hawarden and was received by 48 MU at Hawarden on 22nd November 1942. On 21st February 1943 the aircraft was taken on charge by 420 Squadron at Middleton St. George and on 19th April 1943 the aircraft was transferred to 426 Squadron at Dishforth. As a result of battle damage sustained on 28th May 1943 Cat.Ac/FB was the damage assessment, a repair on site was made by a team from Vickers and on 26th June 1943 the aircraft was returned to 426 Squadron though they were now based at Linton on Ouse. On 30th June 1943 it was in need of a repair on site by a team from Vickers when it was declared Cat.Ac during a major inspection. Once servicable it was returned to 426 Squadron on 9th July 1943. On 1st August 1943 the aircraft was transferred to 82 O.T.U. at Ossington. On 26th November 1943 it was flown to 13 MU at Henlow for modification and returned to 82 O.T.U. on 1st January 1944. On 8th February 1944 Cat.Ac/FA damage was the assessment following damage after it suffered an engine failure on return from a fighter affiliation exercise and a belly landing at Ossington. On 27th February 1944 this damage was upgraded to Re.Cat.B so was repaired in works by Fairfield Aviation Ltd. at Elstree. On 2nd June 1944 it is listed as awaiting collection. On 18th June 1944 the aircraft was flown to 23 M.U. at Aldergrove and was returned to 82 O.T.U. on 10th July 1944. On 7th October 1944 the aircraft was transferred to 11 O.T.U. at Westcott. On 25th April 1945 the aircraft suffered an engine failure on take off from Oakley airfield, unable to complete the airfield circuit the then pilot force landed near Woodstock, Oxfordshire. The aircraft was badly damaged and it saw a Cat.E2/FA damage assessment. It was then struck off charge on 14th May 1945.
Back to monthly table.