Wendes, Robert John
Personal Information
Rank | W/O |
Forename(s) | Robert John |
Surname | Wendes |
Gender | M |
Age | 23 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 16-11-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of Samson and Blanche Ethel May Wendes, of Newport. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | de Havilland Mosquito IX |
Serial Number | ML907 |
Markings | HS- |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Carisbrooke Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Sec. F. Grave 95. |
Epitaph | A DEAR SON AND BROTHER. TO ITS SWEET REPOSE GOD HAS CALLED HIS SOUL BRIGHT, RADIANT, BLEST |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 262 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 1380740 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 8 |
Squadron | 109 |
Trade | Navigator |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | Adjacent to former Airfield Site, Little Staughton, Bedfordshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone Memorial |
Memorial Text | A memorial to RAF Little Staughton, including 109 Sqn |
Location | All Saints Church, Little Staughton, Bedfordshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone Tablet, Roll of Honour, Gp & Sqn Badges |
Memorial Text | Roll of Honour and memorial to those who served at RAF Little Staughton during WW2, including 109 Sqn |
Location | RAF Wyton Memorial Gardens, Wyton, Cambridgshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stone Memorial & Inscribed Metal Plaque |
Memorial Text | A memorial to those who served at RAF Wyton during WW2, including 109 Sqn |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/855/8 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/855/7 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 16-11-1944 |
End Date | 16-11-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Little Staughton |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Jülich- in support of the American 1st and 9th Armies. A combined force of 1188 aircraft to attack Düren, Jülich and Heinsburg in order to cut communications and supply lines. 4 aircraft lost in all. The Americans also sent 1239 heavy bombers without loss. In total, 9400 tones of high explosives were dropped. The three towns were virtually destroyed with 3127 fatalities in Düren alone. Heinsburg had largely been abandoned by the civilian population so the death toll was much lower- 52 civilians, although this is said to have been half of its civilian population. Despite the success of the air raid, the army's advance was not so successful, due to wet ground and ammunition shortages. |
Reason for Loss | Encountered very poor visibility on return to base. Neede to pull up sharply to avoid HT cables and lost control. Stalled and spun in near the airfield |