On the night of 8th / 9th October 1943 the crew of this aircraft took off from Melbourne airfield at 22.40hrs to undertake an operational flight to bomb Hannover. During the course of the night the aircraft received minor flak damage but this did not prevent the crew making a safe return to base and landing in the early hours.
Pilot - F/Lt Jack Hewson Trobe RAAF (416468).
Navigator - F/O Adolphe Antoine Henri Jules Noel Andre Duchesney RCAF (J/11502).
Bomb Aimer - Sgt George William Ferneyhough RAFVR (1578832).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt? Coller? (probably F/O John Harold Coller DFC RAFVR (115590)).
Air Gunner - F/Sgt William Mowatt RAAF (413637).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Robert Clough Bridge RAFVR (1119242).
Air Gunner - Sgt Douglas Bruce Smith RAAF (421054).
On the night of 3rd / 4th November 1943 all but the named wireless operator were flying together in Halifax HR921 on Ops to Dusseldorf when the aircraft was badly damaged and set on fire by night-fighters. For their actions on this night F/Sgt Mowatt was awarded the DFM and F/Lt Trobe the DFC, Gazetted on 3rd December 1943. The citation adds a lot of details and reads.."One night in November 1943, Flight Sergeant Mowatt and Sergeants Bisby and Bridge were midupper 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 4 fighters. In the actions the bomber was repeatedly hit. The rear turret, the hydraulic gear, the inter-communication system, the wireless apparatus and other importand equipment were rendered unserviceable. Flight Sergeant Mowatt and Sergeants Bisby and Bridge were wounded. In spite of this, Flight Lieutenant Trobe succeeded in flying cear. Two of the bomber's engines had failed but Sergeant Bridge succeeded in re-starting 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 high order."
On the night of 22nd / 23rd April 1944 many of the above were flying Halifax LV867 on Ops to Dusseldorf and bombed the target area as instructed but was beginning to suffer engine trouble. On the return leg the engine trouble became worse and an engine eventually caught fire, the crew eventually baled out over Holland and the aircraft crashed into a marshy area on the Limburg
area of Holland. The two air gunners were both captured and became PoWs (Smith sustained serious injuries and was subsequently repatriated in early 1945). Trobe, Duchesney and Ferneyhough all managed to evade capture and returned to the UK. Duchesney arrived back in the UK on 11th July 1944, via Gibraltar. Jack Trobe was awarded the DSO and George Ferneyhough was awarded the DFC for service with 10 Squadron, Gazetted on 7th November 1944 and also Adolphe Duchesney was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 22nd September 1944 (which must have been for their actions in evading capture) and the citation reads.. "In air operations these officers have displayed skill, courage and fortitude in keeping up with the highest traditions of the Royal Air Force."
Adolphe Duchesney was later posted to 426 Squadron and was awarded the Bar to the DFC, Gazetted on 8th September 1945.
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