207 Squadron NG144 crashed into sea off Holzkathen (Smołdziński Las) 18-19.12.1944?

[Theo Boiten]

Dear all,

This week, I was contacted by a relative of one of the crew members on board 207 Squadron Lancaster NG144, KIA on 18-19 December 1944, seeking for help in establishing where NG144 crashed.

As far as I know, 207 Squadron NG144 crashed into the sea 100 metres off Holzkathen (Smołdziński Las), but I am seeking 100 % confirmation of this on behalf of my contact. (Another 207 Squadron aircraft, LM671 was seriously shot up by a night fighter over the target and struggled on for another 90 km before crashing near Łeba).

Who can help?

[Rottler]

Hello Theo,

the crash place in the shallow waters of the Baltic Sea near Holzkathen is confirmed by the German Luftgau report. This crash was put on file with the casualty no./Abschußnummer KE 10040, quoted in the RAF Bomber Command Loss Card as a captured German document.

Regards
Leo

[Theo Boiten]

Thanks for that Leo! Cheers Theo

[Blitz45]

these Lancasters took part in one of the most effective airstrikes on GDYNIA which took place on December 18, 1944.
On this day four Lancasters were shot down, the two you mentioned and others:

PB723 with code 9J - W (Whiskey) commander F / Lt. M.S.P Pritchard from 227 squadron shot down at 22:05 by Sergeant Hengsbach, he crashed near Kielno

NN726 with the code ZN - D with 106 squadron shot down by obl. Peter Ehrhardt, crashed at 22:12 near Połczyn
http://www.rafcommands.com/database/...php?uniq=NN726

Theo Boiten, you can help me find the missing photos of this crew
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=52865

[Theo Boiten]

Hello Blitz45 -thanks for posting these details, unfortunately I have no crew photos.

Re. 106 Squadron NN726; I have this aircraft as shot down near Putzig (Puck), north of Gdynia. Where exactly in Poland is Połczyn?

And can you confirm the crash times of the four Lancaster losses from contemporary Polish records?

Cheers, Theo

[Blitz45]

Hello Theo Boiten

Originally Posted by Theo Boiten

Re. 106 Squadron NN726; I have this aircraft as shot down near Putzig (Puck), north of Gdynia. Where exactly in Poland is Połczyn?

Połczyno is located 2.5 km west of Puck, here you have the link:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/84...f003c7ad!2s84- After 100 +% C5% 82czyno! 3b1! 8m2! 3d54.7058931! 4d18.357919! 3m4! 1s0x46fdb17076f083fd: 0xbf9f3ae8f003c7ad! 8m2! 3d54.7058931! 4d18.357919

I corresponded with a relative of the NN726 crew member, I gave him all the witnesses' reports and the circumstances of shooting down this Lancaster

Originally Posted by Theo Boiten

And can you confirm the crash times of the four Lancaster losses from contemporary Polish records?

I will try to help you with NG144, but it takes time and I am not sure if I will be able to determine something.

Cheers, Piotr

[Theo Boiten]

Thanks Piotr for sharing this useful information.

Cheers, Theo

[Blitz45]

Theo Boiten, have you been explaining the fate of this crew for a long time? I think I found a photo of their commander NZ421840. Buchanan, Flt / Lt David Graham. 16 OTU, 1660 HCU, 5 LFS, 207 Sqdn (16 operations) and a photo of the target (Gdynia) taken just after the raid (probably on the second day). The photo I posted earlier (at the top) was also taken during the raid on Gdynia. The estimated breaking time for NG 144 is 22:30