Operation: Julich

Date: 16th November 1944 (Thursday)

Unit: No. 109 Squadron

Type: Mosquito IX

Serial: ML907

Code: HS-B

Base: RAF Little Staughton, Bedfordshire.

Location: Airfield, RAF Little Staughton, Bedfordshire

Pilot: W/O. Joseph Garcia-Webb 1280538 RAFVR Age 28. Killed

Nav: W/O. Robert John Wendes 1380740 RAFVR Age 23. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Took off at 13.45 from Little Staughton to take part in Operation Julich. A series of bombing on 3 German towns to assist the U.S. first and ninth Armies in the area between Aachen and the Rhine.

The result was that all 3 towns were virtually destroyed with a great many civilian casualties.

As he returned to base, and encountered extremely poor visibility, W/O Garcia-Webb decided to make a 'Standard Beam Approach'. On nearing the runway he was seen to pull up sharply in order to avoid flying into H/T cables. In doing so he lost control and the Mosquito stalled and spun in at 15.25 near the airfield, killing both crew members.

Above: memorial to crews of 109 and 582 Squadron who flew from R.A.F. Staughton (archives) W/O. Robert John Wendes (courtesy Tim Wheeler)

W/O. Joseph Garcia-Webb. Willesden Jewish Cemetery. Sec. R. Row 4. Grave 16. Further information: Son of Richard and Frances Garcia-Webb. Husband of Miriam Garcia-Webb, of Brockley Hill. Detailed family information kindly supplied by Jacqueline Sitwell whose Uncle, Dr. Joseph Frank Sharp, married Miriam in 1947. Joseph and Miriam had two children, Diane was born on 18th July 1940. She was a speech and language pathologist in Calgary, Alberta, married to Laurance Freedman. Diane passed away on the 5th July 2013. Son Peter, born around 1941, trained as a doctor at Guy's Hospital, qualifying in 1964, was a pathologist and emigrated to Australia. Miriam passed away in England 2012, age 95.

W/O. Robert John Wendes. Carisbrooke Cemetery. Sec. F. Grave 95. Further information: Son of Samson and Blanche Ethel May Wendes, of 115 Hunnyhill, Newport, Isle of Wight. W/O Wendes had already completed 91 flights in Halifax’s, but volunteered for further ops with 109 Pathfinder Squadron. Attended the County Secondary School, Newport, Isle of Wight and is remembered on a wooden plaque commemorating pupils killed in WW2.

Researched by Aircrew Remembered, researcher and specialist genealogist Linda Ibrom for relatives of this crew, including Tim Wheeler and the family of W/O. Wendes. Thanks also to Jacqueline Sitwell for photo of W/O. Garcia-Webb grave.

Corgi produced a limited edition of this Mosquito, now commanding high prices on various websites

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
All site material (except as noted elsewhere) is owned or managed by Aircrew Remembered and should not be used without prior permission.
© Aircrew Remembered 2012 - 2024 Last Modified: 03 April 2021, 16:27