Circumstances of loss of 311 Squadron Wellington L7788, 23/24.9.1940
 

Dear all,

Who can confirm that 311 Squadron Wellington L7788 was hit in one of its engines over Berlin (port or starboard?), causing the aircraft to force-land near Leidschendam at 04.25 hrs on 24 September 1940? Was there any other Flak damage to the aircraft?

Cheers and thanks, Theo

(I'm aware of Bart Rijnhout's book on the topic but at present can't locate my copy in my library).

Re: Circumstances of loss of 311 Squadron Wellington L7788, 23/24.9.1940
 

Hi Theo,

There is other source regarding 311 Sqn - Pawel Vancata's "311 Squadron". Unfortunetally it doesn't bring any more details about reason of loss of Wellington Mk. IA s/n L7788 coded KX-E

Best regards
Miroslaw

Re: Circumstances of loss of 311 Squadron Wellington L7788, 23/24.9.1940
 

Hi,

based on info from pilot after WWII, cca 30 minutes after they leave target Berlin, the machine starts to lose height and the right engine oil probably some hit from flak.

MAybe are more info about in the book, which is mentioned in last reply of this topic and maybe somebody can check
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=18923

More photos of this machine:
http://www.modelari.org/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=622

Faenor

Re: Circumstances of loss of 311 Squadron Wellington L7788, 23/24.9.1940
 

Thanks Faenor and Miroslaw for your helpful replies.

Cheers, Theo

Re: Circumstances of loss of 311 Squadron Wellington L7788, 23/24.9.1940
 

Hello,

in J. Rajlich book about losses of CS crews and planes is transcript of article which pilot of the plane K. Trojaček wrote for magazine Letu zdar after war. After they drooped bombs they were found by searchlights. They flew around 1 min. in it. After some time Trojaček found in panel that oil pressure is low. The speed of plane started go down. They had around 100 miles to coast. Flak over Berlin probably damaged oil pipes. 25 miles short of coast starboard engine catch fire and propeller fall away. They were only 500 feet high so they must crash landed near Leidschendam. In this area they saw some next flak fire but this was not near the plane, there was no more damage by it.
Sad part of this is, that telegraph operator St. Karel Kunka shot himself to did not capture by Germans. In this time CS soldiers think when they were captured Germans executed it for high treason.

M.

Re: Circumstances of loss of 311 Squadron Wellington L7788, 23/24.9.1940
 

There were some new ebay pictures of this plane a month ago.

Re: Circumstances of loss of 311 Squadron Wellington L7788, 23/24.9.1940
 

Excellent, many thanks for providing these additional details!

Best regards, Theo