Personnel Index - Detail
2/3 November, 1944; DÜSSELDORF:
Thursday 2 November saw Fulbeck in absolute chaos and pandemonium; the new squadron, 189 was arriving on base, and on top of that, Group was requesting a big effort for the night’s raid on Düsseldorf, plus AGLT training flights were scheduled.
Eventually 13 aircraft from the squadron were airborne shortly after 17.00hrs. A total of 961 Lancasters and Halifaxes, with the aid of 31 Mosquitoes set out on a cold night with heavy frost, to deliver a heavy attack on Düsseldorf. This would be the final major attack of the war on Düsseldorf. Bomber Command lost 19 aircraft, 11 Halifaxes and 8 Lancasters; one of the Lancasters came from 49 Squadron: F/O Peter Harford and crew, flying on only their 2nd operation, were all killed when V-Victor was brought down over Germany; they all now rest together in the Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany.
Lancaster PB385 (EA-V)
F/O P.E.G. Harford Pilot (Killed)
Sgt J.B. Mitchell F/E (Killed)
F/S S.C. Bennett NAV (Killed)
F/S W.O. Shaw RAAF W/OP (Killed)
Sgt H. Roxby A/G (Killed)
F/S A.M. Findlay A/B (Killed)
Sgt J.A. Rix A/G (Killed)
Crew on their 2nd operation
Sgt Rix's name is included on the Holme-next-the Sea War Memorial.