On the evening of the 3rd November 1943 the crew of this 10 Squadron aircraft took off from Melbourne airfield at 17.00hrs for an operational flight to bomb Dusseldorf. The Halifax was attacked and badly damaged by enemy aircraft before reaching the target area and received damage, and three members of the crew sustained injuries. The crew jettisoned the bomb load after attacks at around 19.46hrs and turned the aircraft for base. They landed safely at Melbourne (or Woolfox Lodge?) before midnight but after inspection the aircraft was deemed beyond repair. For his actions on this night Sgt Robert Bridge was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal. Jack Trobe was awarded the DFC and William Mowatt and Robert Bridge received DFMs, their awards were Gazetted on 3rd December 1943 with a joint citation..
"One night in November 1943. Flight Sergeant Mowatt and Sergeants Bisby and Bridge were mid upper gunner, wireless operator and flight engineer respectively in an aircraft piloted by Flight Lieutenant Trobe and detailed to attack Dusseldorf. During the operation the aircraft was subjected to a series of attacks by four fighters. In the actions the bomber was repeatedly hit. The rear turret, the hydraulic gear, the inter-communication system, the wireless apparatus and other important equipment were rendered unserviceable. Flight Sergeant Mowatt and Sergeants Bisby and Bridge were wounded. In spite of this, Flight Lieutenant Trobe succeeded in flying clear. Two of the bomber's engines had failed but Sergeant Bridge succeeded in restarting one of them. He afterwards extinguished a fire which had started near one of the turrets and later assisted Flight Sergeant Mowatt to quell another fire which had commenced in the fuselage. Meanwhile, Sergeant Bisby, although in considerable pain, had remained at his post throughout the encounters, and worked unremittingly to effect a temporary repair to his wireless apparatus. He succeeded in obtaining a fix which proved of material help in enabling his pilot to set course for home. Later on, his wireless apparatus again failed but, although on the point of collapse Sergeant Bisby continued his task of repairing it. By a superb effort, Flight Lieutenant Trobe succeeded in reaching base and, in difficult circumstances, effected a masterly landing. In the face of a perilous situation this officer displayed outstanding skill and courage and his valiant efforts were well supported by his comrades, whose courage, fortitude and devotion to duty were of a high order."
Pilot - Acting F/Lt Jack Hewson Trobe RAAF (416468).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Robert Clough Bridge RAFVR (1119242). Injured.
Navigator - F/O Adolphe Antoine Henri Jules Noel Andre Duchesnay RCAF (J/11502).
Bomb Aimer - Sgt George William Fernyhough RAFVR (169205).
Wireless Operator - Sgt Thomas Ernest Bisby RAFVR (1127605). Injured.
Air Gunner - Sgt William Mowatt RAAF (413637). Injured.
Air Gunner - Sgt Douglas Bruce Smith RAAF (421054).
Thomas Bisby received a commission on 18th October 1944. He flew a second tour with 10 Squadron. Postwar he remained in the RAF at least until 1950. His CGM sold at auction in 2012 for over £10,000.
Andre Duchesnay was born in the Chicoutimi area of Saguenay, Quebec in 1922 and was living in Quebec when he enlsted for RCAF service there in March 1941 after serving in the Canadian Army. He was awarded the DFC for service with 10 Squadron, Gazetted on 22nd September 1944. He later flew a second Tour and was awarded the Bar to the DFC for service with 426 Squadron, Gazetted on 2st September 1945.
George Fernyhough received a commission on 5th December 1943 and rose to F/O six months later.