VX927
May 1, 2011 at 10:08 pm

300 (Polish) Squadron Lancaster PB722 BH-J

Hello,

I am trying to find some information about a 300 Squadron Lancaster which was shot down near Leverkusen on a bombing mission to Dourtmond.

The aircraft in question was BH-J PB722. The incident happened on 21st February 1945.

I’ve seen the obvious stuff that is already on the internet.

I know that S/Ldn Jan Konarzewski (Pilot) and his navigator Sgt Stanislaw Modrany were both killed.

Flt Sgt Wladyslaw Jakimowicz was taken prisoner.

Sgt Roman Burkacki, Sgt Tadeusz Picho, Sgt Antoni Gorczycki & Sgt Zenon Raczynski all survived and returned to England. A lot of documentation says that they evaded capture, but I know that Antoni Gorczycki was taken POW at some point.

Antoni Gorczycki is no longer with us (my friends Grandfather), However does anyone know if any of the other survivors are still alive?

Also, does any know if the crash site has ever been excavated, or can anyone point me in the direction of who to ask?

Thank you
927

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By: VX927 - 8th May 2011 at 11:04

Just a little bump back to the top!

Can anyone help with possible survivors, or who I can talk to in germany re any excavation of the crash site that may have taken place?

Thank you

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By: VX927 - 2nd May 2011 at 20:24

Dzien Dobry Grzegorz,

I have also seen some of Antoni Gorczycki’s documents relating to a time in Stalag Luft – Antoni’s Grandson is a co owner of our Auster (VX927!)

I would be very interested to know if Jakimowicz, Picho & Raczynski are still alive but I have no idea where to start.

I plan to go to the 300 Sqn memorial service at Faldingworth on May 21st so perhaps someone there will be able to help.

Does anyone else on here have any leads?

Also, does anyone know how I might find out if the crash site was ever excavated?

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By: Gregor - 2nd May 2011 at 08:29

Hi!
As far as the crew of Lancaster BH-J PB722 is concerned, except the pilot & navigator who were killed, the other airmen managed to bale out successfully, but within a few days all of them were captured and taken PoW or confined in hospital due to injuries. I have some PoW reports (in Polish) filled in by them that confirm the fact of their capture. They all returned to England after being liberated by American Army.

I have information only about Roman Burkacki & and Antoni Gorczycki who passed away respectively in 1989 & 1992.

I don`t know if Jakimowicz, Picho & Raczynski are still alive.

Unfortunately I have no idea about the attempts to excavate the crash site.

Regards,
Grzegorz