• Operation Chastise (Dambusters Raid)

Date of birth:

March 7th, 1920 (Queensland, Australia)

Date of death:

March 6th, 1985 (Nottingham, United Kingdom)

Service number:

Aus. 404595

Nationality:

Australian

Bertie Towner "Toby" Foxlee, born on 7 March 1920 in Queensland, Australia, was the son of Herbert and Olive Foxlee. Foxlee joined the RAAF in 1940, training as a wireless operator/air gunner in Australia and Canada.

Posted to England, he joined 455 Squadron (RAAF) at Swinderby, flying his first mission in a Hampden on 2 January 1942. After 14 operations, he transferred to 50 Squadron, flying his first mission in a Manchester during the historic 1000-bomber raid on Cologne on 30 May 1942—the first all-Australian crew to operate the Manchester. By June, the crew transitioned to Lancasters, and Foxlee completed 34 missions by September, earning a Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) and a commission before moving to a training unit.
In April 1943, Foxlee joined 617 Squadron to prepare for the Dams Raid.

After the raid, Toby Foxlee continued flying until being taken off operations after the Antheor Viaduct mission on 13 February 1944. Awarded the DFC in April 1944, he spent the remainder of the war as a training instructor.

Foxlee left the RAAF in 1948, returning to Britain to join the RAF as an air traffic controller. That same year, he married Thelma Madge Peacock, and they had five children. Retiring from the RAF in 1957, he farmed in Kent before moving his family to Australia in 1962. In 1977, he returned to Britain and passed away in Nottingham on 6 March 1985.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flight Sergeant

Unit:

No. 50 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

January 12th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flying Officer

Unit:

No. 617 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

April 14th, 1944

"As front gunner this officer has taken part in a large number of sorties many of them demanding a high degree of skill and resolution. On a recent occasion he participated in an attack on a target in Southern France. During the operation the aircraft was subjected to intense light anti-aircraft fire and sustained much damage. Nevertheless Flying Officer Foxlee raked the enemy's gun positions with his bullets and his unflinching fire and deadly aim played a good part in silencing the opposition. By his undoubted skill great courage and fine fighting qualities, this officer has contributed materially to the successes obtained."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• Photo 1: Australian War Memorial
• - Dambusters
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36468/supplement/1711/data.pdf
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35858/supplement/269/data.pdf

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Möhne Dam Möhnesee

Möhnesee - Nordrhein-Westfalen

RAF Scampton

Lincoln - Lincolnshire

Operation Chastise (Dambusters Raid)