Bonjour mes amis
Simply a note to mark the recent passing of Douglas Oxby who is recognized as the R.A.F. observer, that being a radar operator, who participated in the most aerial victories during the Second World War.
http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/ff325/Ligier2526/scan_953164653_1.jpg?t=1241384709Oxby was born in Cardiff, Wales on June 10, 1920 and was to join the R.A.F. Volunteer Reserve in March of 1940 after heeding the advice of a father who had served in trenches during The Great War and warned of the perils of army service. He volunteered for observer training which was, in effect, training as a radar operator. Upon completion of training Oxby was assigned to 68 Squadron and flew with Mervyn Shipard flying the Beaufighter. The duo proved successful and claimed victories over Wales, with 68 Squadron, and Malta as well as Libya and Tunisia with 89 Squadron. In June, 1943 Oxby was given an assignment training radar operators. By August, 1944 Oxby was flying in combat again in service with 219 Squadron flying with the squadron commander Peter Green in the Mosquito over the Netherlands.
After the death of Green while testing a Mosquito Oxby was assigned to a training unit as an instructor. He continued to serve in the R.A.F. after the cessation of hostilities becoming a Wing Commander and fulfilling various staff positions and ultimately retired from the service in 1969 and emigrated to Canada and working in a government management position. Oxby was recognized as having participated in 21 (or 22) successful interceptions and was awarded a D.S.O. as well as a D.F.C. and a D.F.M.
Douglas Oxby died on April 10, 2009.
