Roderick James Dunphy DFC

Antipodean Andy · May 7, 2009

Just read about this chap and his loss.

DunphyRJ

Roderick James Dunphy DFC was born in Souris, Manitoba (MB), son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth A. Dunphy. He lived in Winnipeg, MB and on September 12, 1941, in Winnipeg, enlisted in the RCAF. Dunphy received air crew instruction at training schools in Canada. On August 28, 1942, he graduated as a navigator from No. 3 Air Operations School and received his commission as a pilot officer navigator.

After arriving overseas, Dunphy was eventually posted to the famous 426 "Thunderbird" Squadron. One of a large number of dangerous and death defying missions undertaken by Navigator Dunphy and other crew members, took place on October 20, 1943. With Flight Sergeant F.D. Stuart at the controls of the Lancaster bomber which had been detailed to bomb targets at Leipzig, Germany, the bomber was attacked, on its inbound flight, four times by a ME 109 enemy fighter. With excellent directions from Rear Gunner G.V. Andrew and skilled evasive action by Captain F.D. Stuart, they suffered injuries to the mid upper gunner F.J. McGovern, the mid upper turret was damaged and the tailplane and fuselage were hit, but they managed to keep on course to Leipzig.

However, they were attacked again. This time it was 3 attacks by a JU 88, before they escaped into a cloud. Despite all the damage to their aircraft they continued on to target. The problems included an injured upper gunner, a smashed pilot's windscreen, a hydraulic system failure and holes in the blackout curtain which normally allowed the navigator to keep sufficient light to read his charts. With most of his instruments destroyed in the battle with the night fighters, Flying Officer Roderick Dunphy still managed to direct the Lancaster to target and home again.

In recognition of their bravery and skill during the Leipzig mission, Flight Sergeant Stuart received the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal and Dunphy received the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). Two months later, Dunphy, Stuart and all the crew except mid upper gunner Sergeant McGovern were killed during a raid on Frankfurt. Sole survivor McGovern suffered severe wounds but he recovered and was later promoted and awarded the DFC.
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Apparently, the blackout curtain mentioned above was sent to the Canadian War Museum. That's what got me interested. Does it still exist and is it on display?

Kyt · May 8, 2009

Seems to be an issue with the date of the raid (I'll look it up later)

Juno Beaach Museum - German Anti-Aircraft Defences

Click on first pic

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