Hi just purchased a nice bent prop from a wellington that crashed on Brancaster beach Norfolk on June 25th 1942.The aircraft serial was z1090 and belonged to 311 squadron.I cant find anymore info about this a/c in any of my books wanted to know a bit more about it and the crew who were flying it at the time of the crash.I do beleive all the crew survived but know nothing else im afraid.
By: Ross_McNeill - 8th August 2009 at 13:51
From the draft RAF Coastal Command Losses Vol 2, 1942-43
25/06/42
311 Sqn
Wellington Ic
Z1090
KX-Q
Sgt V J Zezulka
F/Sgt M Cervinka
Sgt J Holna
Sgt A V Jelinek
Sgt Z Janda
Sgt L Kriz
Op: Bremen, RAF Bircham Newton, Take Off 23:27 hrs
Hit a hut on take off and crashed into Brancaster Bay 23 minutes after take off. The crew abandoned in their dinghy close to shore.
Kev, to meet the numbers Coastal Command supplied Whitley, Hudson and Wellingtons to augment Bomber Command 1000 bomber raids. Donna Hook and Bircham Newton were used as a bombing up base and forward operating point to join up with the raid routes.
Regards
Ross
By: kev35 - 8th August 2009 at 11:04
Perhaps there’s nothing to be found in the likes of BCL because the Squadron was operating with Coastal Command at that time? Air Britain Serials states that the aircraft hit a hut whilst taking off from Bircham Newton. However, Halley, in Squadrons of the Royal Air Force suggests the Squadron transferred to Coastal Command in April 1942 and makes no mention of Bircham Newton as one of their bases.
Edited to add:
It’s interesting, it would appear that the Squadron actually joined Coastal Command on the 28th April when they moved to Aldergrove. Prior to that they were operating from East Wretham.
I can only suggest you contact DoRIS at Hendon and ask for a copy of the aircraft movement and loss cards.
Regards,
kev35
By: wieesso - 8th August 2009 at 10:42
‘Two other No.311 Wellington crews flying with Coastal Command survived ditching.
Z1105 training at Aldergrove and Z1090 into Brancaster Bay just after take off for Bremen. Again no clear indication of No.422 or No.86 Sqn involvement.’
http://www.rafcommands.com/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=printer_format&om=2966&forum=DCForumID6
No crash recorded
http://cz-raf.hyperlink.cz/Units/311_accidents.html
There is a crew list list here, but ‘Mission Date: 9/03/1942’
http://www.156squadron.com/display_missionhdr.asp?MissionId=699
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August 8, 2009 at 9:43 am