Operation: Düsseldorf, Germany

Date: 31st July/1st August 1942 (Friday/Saturday)

Unit No: 106 Squadron, 5 Group, Bomber Command

Type: Lancaster I

Serial: R5604

Code: ZN:?

Base: RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire

Location: Between Widdesdorf and Lövenich, Germany

Pilot: WO. Peter Ernest Merralls DFC, DFM 742016 RAFVR Age 24. KiA (1)

2nd Pilot/Flt Eng: Sgt. Henry Elliot Gaskell 407711 RAAF Age 22. KiA

Navigator: Sgt. Kenneth John Cooper 1164825 RAFVR Age 21. KiA

Bomb Aimer: Flt Sgt. Arnold George Smith DFM 651289 RAF Age 20. MiA (2)

WOp/Air Gnr: Sgt. Ernest Frank Holmes 1310316 RAFVR Age 27. KiA

Air Gnr (Mid Upper): Sgt. Basil Lionel Ellis-Buxton 1330124 RAFVR Age 19. KiA

Air Gnr (Rear): Sgt. Leslie Thomas Grimshaw 1379753 RAFVR Age 23. MiA

Above left to right: Sgt. Kenneth J. Cooper, Flt Sgt. Arnold George Smith DFM

REASON FOR LOSS:

R5604 took off at 00.55 hrs from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire to join a force of 630 aircraft of which was the first bombing mission where more than 100 Lancaster would participate. Many were made up with aircraft from Operational Training Units (OTUs), and resulted in the loss of some 16 aircraft.

The night was described as clear with a bright moon which assisted the Luftwaffe night fighters even though six sorties from Blenheims from 2 Group attacking their bases over a two hour period were sent to assist the operation.

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, which attacked the city between 01.50 hrs and 03.03 hrs.

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.

R5604 was hit by Flak from 7. Flak Div. and crashed between Widdesdorf and Lövenich at 02:50 hrs. (Nachtjagd Combat Archive (30 May - 31 December 1942) The Early Years Part 3 - Theo Boiten)

(1) Sgt. Merralls was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) whilst with 49 Sqn. (London Gazette 18th July 1941). The following was the recommendation for the award.

'Sergeant Merralls has attacked a wide variety of targets such as Berlin (twice) Hamburg (4 times), Kiel (twice), Mannheim, Frankfurt, Magdeburg, the Channel ports and targets in the Ruhr. In addition, he took part in the experimental fighter patrols by Hampden aircraft and has undertaken a number of successful mining operations. During his period as a Navigator, he was engaged in two outstanding flights. On 19th November 1940, he was Navigator of one of the only two aircraft from this station, which reached and attacked the Skoda Works at Pilsen. Another outstanding navigational trip was the celebrated attack on Munich on 8th November, 1940. Sergeant Merralls has been one of the most successful Captains of aircraft in the squadron. On the night of 30th March, 1941, he was Captain of an aircraft detailed to lay a mine in the Goulet de Brest which is a very heavily defended locality. In spite of intense opposition from the ground defences, Sergeant Merralls spent over half an hour in the vicinity of the Goulet (during which time his aircraft received several hits from the ground defences to make sure of the actual dropping point before finally laying the mine. On the night of 9th April, 1941, whilst attacking a target in Berlin, Sergeant Merralls' aircraft was caught and held by a concentration of searchlights and intense anti aircraft fire was experienced. In spite of this, Sergeant Merralls acted with the greatest coolness and, although he was forced down to 2,000 feet over the centre of Berlin owing to the violent evasive action necessary to get clear, he brought his aircraft safely to base although it has sustained nine serious hits from the ground defences. All his operations have been characterised by competence, courage, determination and an intense desire to strike at the enemy hard and accurately.'

WO. Merralls was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) whilst with 106 Sqn (London Gazette 20th July 1942). The DFC was presented by King George VI at Buckingham Palace to his father Ernest Merralls.

Citation reads: 'On his second tour of operations this warrant officer continued to display the greatest courage and initiative in his work. During the period he participated in attacks on Lubeck, Rostock, Warnemunde, Essen and Bremen. In July 1942, whilst over Duisburg his aircraft was severely damaged by heavy anti-aircraft fire but Warrant Officer Merralls coolly continued his bombing run and successfully completed his attack. He flew his damaged aircraft safely back to base with one engine out of action. Later, in July 1942, whilst return ing from a daylight raid, his aircraft was attacked by two enemy fighters. By skilfully manoeuvring his aircraft he enabled his gunners to shoot down one fighter and seriously damage the other.'

(2) Flt Sgt. Smith was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) whilst with 49 Sqn (London Gazette 21st November 1941). The following was the recommendation for the award.

‘Sergeant Smith has completed 202 hours operational flying, involving 31 flights over enemy or enemy occupied territory. During these flights, a variety of targets were attacked including Berlin, Bremen, Mannheim etc. Sergeant Smith has flown with a number of captains and it is significant that his work in the air has been frequently mentioned in the captains personal experience reports. The following are instances:

28.3.41 Dusseldorf – “Wireless excellent throughout the whole trip. Loop bearings and homing beacons were found particularly useful”.

30.3.41 Mining –“'Wireless excellent”

13.5.41 Mannheim – “Wireless aids used to rectify error in navigation due to wind”

26.5.41 Brest, Mining – “Wireless Operator deserves all praise for a magnificent piece of work. We obtained bearings, fixes and many Q.D.M.'s without which the trip would probably have ended in disaster”

11.6.41 Brest – “The 21 loop bearings obtained were extremely useful”.

On the night of 23rd June, 1941, when on a sortie against Bremen, the aircraft in which Sergeant Smith was flying was caught in searchlights over the Frisian Islands. Sergeant Smith observed an enemy fighter closing in to attack. Having held his fire until it was well within range, he fired 200 rounds into the aircraft which was observed by all members of the crew to break up and fall in flames. Throughout his tour of duty with the Squadron, Sergeant Smith has shown exceptional keenness for operational flying and great skill and determination in the execution of his duties. His excellent example has had a most beneficial effect on the other NCO's in the Squadron.’

Burial details:

Those with a known grave were initially buried at the Cologne South Cemetery and were finally laid to rest at the Rheinberg War Cemetery in May and June 1946.

Above Rheinberg War Cemetery

WO. Peter Ernest Merralls DFC, DFM. Rheinberg War Cemetery,Grave 1.G.16. Grave Inscription: "I BARE YOU ON EAGLES' WINGS, AND BROUGHT YOU UNTO MYSELF". Born on the 30th October 1917 in Medway, Kent. Son of Ernest Robert and Mabel Rose (née Attwood) Merralls of Gillingham, Kent, England.

Sgt. Henry Elliot Gaskell. Rheinberg War Cemetery, Grave 1.G.15. Grave Inscription: “GLADLY HE ANSWERED HIS COUNTRY'S CALL”. Born on the 27th October 1919 in Nowra, New South Wales. Son of Fred and Amy Frances (née Elliot) Gaskell of Hallett, South Australia.

Sgt. Kenneth John Cooper. Rheinberg War Cemetery, Coll. Grave 1.G.11-14. Grave Inscription: “BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES OF KEN. SILENTLY TREASURED”. Born on the 12th August 1920 in Basford, Nottinghamshire. Son of Herbert and Betsy (née Challands) Cooper of West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, England.

Above Runnymede Memorial

Flt Sgt. Arnold George Smith DFM. Runnymede Memorial, Panel 76. Son of Mr. and Mrs. George Smith of Seaforth, Liverpool, England.

Sgt. Ernest Frank Holmes. Rheinberg War Cemetery, Coll. Grave 1.G.11-14. Grave Inscription: “R.I.P”. Born on the 7th April 1915 in Islington, London. Son of Harry James and Louisa Ada (née Winwood) Holmes. Husband of Olive Lily Holmes of Upminster, Essex, England.

Sgt. Basil Lionel Ellis-Buxton. Rheinberg War Cemetery, Coll. Grave 1.G.11-14. Grave Inscription: “HE LEFT A BEAUTIFUL MEMORY. NOW REUNITED WITH HIS FATHER. WE SHALL MEET AGAIN”. Born on the 30th October 1922 in Woolwich, Greater London. Son of Clarence Lionel and Phyllis Lucy (née Purt) Ellis-Buxton of Eltham, London, England.

Sgt. Leslie Thomas Grimshaw. Runnymede Memorial, Panel 84. Born on the 19th May 1919 in Oxford, Oxfordshire. Son of James Thompson and Ada (née Eldridge) Grimshaw of Littlemore, Oxfordshire, England.

Researched for David Medland, Bernard Alfred and Jean (nee Medland) Smith and dedicated to all the relatives of this crew. With thanks to David Medland for sending us a great deal of information. Reviewed, corrected and updated by Aircrew Remembered (Feb 2026).

Other sources listed below:

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