Operation: Düsseldorf

Date: 31/01st August 1942 (Friday/Saturday)

Unit: No. 12 Squadron (motto: 'Lead The Field') 1 Group

Type: Wellington III

Serial: Z8499

Code: PH-?

Base: RAF Binbrook, Lincolnshire

Location: Hürth, Germany

Pilot: Sgt. Walter Henry Good 977292 RAFVR Age ? Killed

Pilot 2: P/O. Thomas Barrett 117443 RAFVR Age ? Killed

Obs: P/O. Frederick Henry Down 119719 RAFVR Age ? Killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Fl/Sgt. Hugh Lawrence Laxdal R/85382 RCAF Age 25. Killed

Air/Gnr: Sgt. Donald William Brett 930163 RAFVR Age 22. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Weather: foggy becoming fine, visibility poor becoming moderate.

Taking off from RAF Binbrrok at 00:28 hrs with 13 others from the squadron (2 others failed to take off due to mechanical defects) to join 629 others on a maximum effort attack on the city of Dusseldorf. Bombing commenced at 01:50 with the last bombers leaving the target area at 03:03 hrs. Weather conditions were favourable for the night fighters who attacked with great effect in the bright moonlight.

484 aircraft reported successful bombing, although photographic evidence showed that part of this force bombed open country. Over 900 tons of bombs were dropped during the raid.

Over the target area there was no cloud and a bright moon was above the horizon, which aided an estimated 40 German night fighters of I., II. and III./NJG1, Stab and III./NJG2, I. and III./NJG3, and NJG4 patrolling in the Dunkelnachtjagd boxes en route. Returning bomber crews reported 76 interceptions, 19 of which developed into attacks. This almost matches 18 Abschüsse claimed by the Nachtjagd, whilsthree ‘heavies’ returned with fighter damage. In all, 29 bombers failed to return. Flak destroyed 13 ‘heavies’.

Records from Düsseldorf are very detailed, with most of the city and the suburbs of Neuss being hit. 453 buildings were destroyed, a further 15,000 damaged. On the ground 279 people were killed, 1,018 were injured with 12,053 people bombed out of their homes.

The raid cost the allies dearly with 29 aircraft lost with 92 group (OTU) losing 11 of its 105 aircraft on this single raid.

Nothing further heard since take off. It is was later discovered that they were hit by heavy flak from the 7. Flak-Division at 02:51 hrs. The Wellington crashed at Hürth, killing all the crew.

Düsseldorf suffered in a total of 243 air raids 86,500 dwellings and 51 percent of the city were destroyed. The 18,000 tons of bombs dropped on Düsseldorf killed 5,863 civilians.

Burial details

Sgt. Walter Henry Good. Rheinberg War Cemetery. Grave 1.G.1.Next of kin details currently not available - are you able to assist completion of these and any other information?

P/O. Thomas Barrett. Rheinberg War Cemetery. Grave 1.G.4. Next of kin details details currently not available - are you able to assist completion of these and any other information?

P/O. Frederick Henry Down. Rheinberg War Cemetery. Grave 1.G.2. Also remembered on the Barnard Castle War Memorial. Son of Frederick and Florrie Down, of Barnard Castle, Co. Durham, England. Epitaph: 'We Are Lonely But Will Keep Smiling Until We Meet Again. Dad Mam And Margaret'.

Fl/Sgt. Hugh Lawrence Laxdal. Rheinberg War Cemetery. Grave 1.G.3. Born on the 29th March 1917 in Saskatchewan. Edducated at the Saltcoats High School. Employed as a truck driver for Primary Products, Winnipeg (1936-1941). Enlisted on the 06th February 1941. Son of Larus Joseph Lawrence Laxdal (died 1949, age 67) and Sarah Laxdal (née Ferguson - died 1967, age 83), of Saltcoats, Saskatchewan, Canada. Epitaph: 'Dear Is The Spot Where Our Hero Lies Sweet The Memory That Will Never Fade'.

Sgt. Donald William Brett. Rheinberg War Cemetery. Grave 1.G.5. Born on the 24th May 1920 in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire. Son of William (died 03rd May 1963, age 81) and Florence Brett (née Whiffen - died 06th June 1963, age 79) husband of Ann Brett, of Litcham, Norfolk, England. Broth of

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew, including that of Sgt. Donald Brett whose relative the webmaster met during his work, Kracker Luftwaffe Archives'. Paradie RCAF Archives. National Archives, Kew. AIR-27-166-14/15. Theo Boiten 'Nachtjagd Combat Archive'.

To view crew grave photographs and further information on the Rheinberg War Cemetery please click on image below:

Rheinberg War Cemetery

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