Avro Lancaster Gdańsk

[majsterPK3]

Hi, my name is Karol Kowalczyk, I am a member of the MILITARY HISTORICAL AND EXPLORATION ASSOCIATION "UR" from Poland.
Wojskowe Stowarzyszenie Historyczno - poszukiwawcze ,,UR"

link to Facebook profile:

Facebook

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We are a group of soldiers in active service and retired, but most importantly, history enthusiasts.

In our free time, we search for traces of history in our homeland, mainly northern Poland.

About two mons ago, during a weekend trip with a metal detector in the neighborhood of Gdańsk, we came across airplane elements.

We have not yet been able to confirm the origin of the machine one hundred percent, but at the moment everything indicates that it will be a British machine.

This is indicated by the 303 Browning ammunition as well as by the descriptions on the radio elements and equipment, photos of which are attached to the message.

We are conducting an investigation in the local community, we managed to contact a family member of the eyewitness, now a ninety-year-old woman, then a nine-year-old girl who remembers the plane crash, we plan to conduct and document an interview with this lady.

At this stage we are in the process of obtaining a search permit from the landowner as well as from the relevant state institution.

At the moment, we suspect that this is one of two machines lost in the raid on Gdańsk on 1942-1945 between spring and summer as the witness recalls the fall at this time of year when the weather was nice.

My colleagues and I, based on the elements we found, suspect that this is the second crew. To be 100% sure, we need confirmation and we need to find a plate with the aircraft's serial number.

Until official consent is obtained and search work begins, we are looking for all information, such as information about similar losses and missing machines in the missions to Gdańsk and Gdynia.

Possibly access to archives or aerial photos of the area where we found the remains. Thanks to such aerial photos, if they exist, we could determine the year or analyze the place of the fall.

I have already contacted the RAF museum in London and the archives of the Royal Air Force and the archive of aerial photographs, as well as similar associations of enthusiasts. but unfortunately the description of history was ignored, it is very sad that they are indifferent to the fate of their pilots.

I am asking you for help, we are an association of enthusiasts like you, we cover all search costs from our own pocket, searching all British archives involves expenses, maybe you can obtain them for free or do you know people who can help us in obtaining them?

We are also looking for the help of specialists who would be able to determine the model of the machine based on the photos of the fragments found so far.

We also suspect with high probability that the crew of the plane died on the spot and rests there to this day.
It will be an honor for us to find the remains of the crew and honor them with a proper rest.

I am attaching several photos of items found at the crash site, including elements from the pilot's cockpit, ammunition casings, elements of a radio station and coins.


best regards,

 

[Snautzer01]

11.07.1942 97 Squadron Lancaster I R5696 Fl/Lt. Miller DFC

Personal history of Allied forces aircrew and support services serving 1935 - 1945 including original research.

aircrewremembered.com

 

[majsterPK3]

Snautzer01 thank you but I know this story
Link

Pomnik załogi bombowca Avro Lancaster - Google Search

Piotr Urban, who commemorated the place where the first machine fell during the raid on July 12, 1942 he found the witness's account and found the place where the second plane you indicated fell. Unfortunately, the crew has not been found to this day and it is not known where they are buried, and Piotr Urban is helping us in the current investigation.

As I have already mentioned, in the case of our Lancaster, we have accounts of two women who were 8 and 10 years old at the time of the fall. Both women do not remember the exact year, but they remember the burning plane falling on a warm, sunny afternoon.

This account also excludes the raid of July 12, 1942, the pilots reported that the weather that day was stormy, the cloud ceiling was low and it was raining heavily, which made it difficult to target the target.

 

[Crimea_River]

Author Theo Boiten may have extensive records that might help. I don't have contact info but he posts at 12oclockhigh.com

 

[majsterPK3]

Author Theo Boiten may have extensive records that might help. I don't have contact info but he posts at 12oclockhigh.com

Crimea_River Thank you for the tip, but I can't find the website address, could you provide a link to the website?

 

[majsterPK3]

I have more photos of items found at the site of the fall, the ones I have included are just a few of them, all items found are currently at the stage of description and cataloging in order to attach them to the report for the conservator.
As I have already mentioned, aerial photos will be helpful if someone has them.
If there is anyone who can determine the model from the items found for today.
Possibly access to archives with notes on combat flights in this part of Europe (Baltic Gulf) and related losses.
I can also indicate where the items were found, but for now I won't make them public and avoid crowds of people eager for souvenirs.

 

[Snautzer01]

Crimea_River Thank you for the tip, but I can't find the website address, could you provide a link to the website?

Luftwaffe and Axis Air Forces - Luftwaffe and Allied Air Forces Discussion Forum

Please use this forum to discuss the German Luftwaffe and the Air Forces of its Allies.

forum.12oclockhigh.net

 

[Geoffrey Sinclair]

Bomber Command War Diaries by Middlebrook and Everitt says 9 Lancasters to Gdynia 27/28 August 1942, no losses, 275 Lancasters to Gdynia 18/19 December 1944. That is it for bombing raids on Polish targets.

Bomber Command Losses by W R Chorley has no losses for raids on Gdansk, it has 4 losses for the 18/19 December 1944 raid on Gdynia
106 Sqn Lancaster I NN726 5 KIA 2 PoW
207 Sqn Lancaster I NG144 7 KIA
207 Sqn Lancaster III LM671 7 PoW
227 Sqn Lancaster I PB723 1 PoW 6 KIA

Nachtjagd War Diaries by Theo Boiten lists them all as shot down by fighters, combat Locations, times by German clocks
NE Gydnia LM671 or PB723 21.58
SE Danzig LM671 or PB723 22.05
20 km W Danzig NG144 22.10
North of Gydinia NN726 22.10

Crash locations PB723 probably Koln/Kielno, NN726 Putzig/Puck, NG144 in sea 100m off Holzkathen/Smoldzinzki Las, LM671 flew on for 90km crashing near Leba.

Mining operations in the sea around Gydnia, "Spinach" in gardening terms, all by Lancasters, listed nights of operations are, 16-Aug-42, 20-Aug-42, 18-Sep-42, 24-Sep-42, 17-Nov-42, 27-Nov-42, 4-Dec-42, 8-Feb-43, 4-Mar-43, 10-Mar-43, 13-Mar-43, 28-Apr-43, 29-Sep-43, 9-Apr-44, 26-Aug-44, 29-Aug-44, 15-Sep-44, 15-Dec-44, 18-Dec-44, 6-Jan-45

13 March 1943 1 Lancaster ED494 "lost no trace" 7 KIA

28 April 1943 major mine laying operation leading to some contradictions in sources, 5 Lancaster sent to Gdynia 2 lost, Chorley lists W4954, ED325 and ED408 as presumed lost in Gydnia target area all 21 crew killed, W4954 crew buried at Swinemunde, ED325 5 crew buried at Malborg Poland, ED408 3 crew buried at Malborg, rest have no known graves. Swinemunde was another target that night. The one Lancaster Boiten lists as lost to night fighter was sent to Pillau.

Operations for the night: 79 Halifax, 68 Lancaster, 32 Stirling and 47 Wellingtons to various targets, 2 Halifax, 7 Lancaster, 8 Stirling, 6 Wellington missing

26 August 1944 1 Lancaster reported lost, there were 5 minelayer losses that night, all Lancasters, NE138, LM278, LM652, LM694, ME792, Boiten reporting LM652 and LM694 combats as Samso Island area and 25 km W Horstens. Chorley says 33 KIA, 1 PoW each from NE138 and LM278, crash location NE138 unknown, LM278 unknown, LM652 Baltic, LM694 Rye Denmark, ME792 unknown.

29 September 1943 1 Lancaster JB143 lost, shot up by night fighter, ditched off Denmark 1 KIA, 6 PoW Boiten says combat 20 km W Lemvig

9 April 1944 7 Lancaster lost plus another 2 from the force to Pillau, Boiten says all were night fighter kills but on the return journey near Denmark where 7 came down, Chorley agrees, serials JB709, JB725, ND675, ND420, ND625, ME688, ME663, JB600, JB734

15 December 1944 1 Lancaster ND682 lost crashed into the Baltic 7 KIA, Boiten combat location 45 km E Fornaes (S of Anholt)

There are 3 Lancaster listed as missing on mining operations to Danzig, Gardening name Privet, 1 on 18 September 1942, 2 on 26 August 1944. Danzig nights of operations, all by Lancasters, 2-May-42, 20-Aug-42, 18-Sep-42, 24-Sep-42, 17-Nov-42, 27-Nov-42, 4-Dec-42, 8-Feb-43, 4-Mar-43, 10-Mar-43, 13-Mar-43, 28-Apr-43, 29-Sep-43, 9-Apr-44, 26-Aug-44, 29-Aug-44, 15-Dec-44, 18-Dec-44, 6-Jan-45

The Boiten work was originally 2 volumes night fighters only, it has been expanded to multi volume including flak claims, so check those for relevant entries. RAFCommands – The meeting place for RAF researchers maintains a list of RAF personnel and aircraft casualties.

The 8th Air Force bombed Gydnia on 9 October 1943 (6 B-17 losses), 9 April 1944 (3 B-17 losses) and 6 August 1944.

And there is always the possibility of a stray from another raid location.

 

[majsterPK3]

Bomber Command War Diaries by Middlebrook and Everitt says 9 Lancasters to Gdynia 27/28 August 1942, no losses, 275 Lancasters to Gdynia 18/19 December 1944. That is it for bombing raids on Polish targets.

Bomber Command Losses by W R Chorley has no losses for raids on Gdansk, it has 4 losses for the 18/19 December 1944 raid on Gdynia
106 Sqn Lancaster I NN726 5 KIA 2 PoW
207 Sqn Lancaster I NG144 7 KIA
207 Sqn Lancaster III LM671 7 PoW
227 Sqn Lancaster I PB723 1 PoW 6 KIA

Nachtjagd War Diaries by Theo Boiten lists them all as shot down by fighters, combat Locations, times by German clocks
NE Gydnia LM671 or PB723 21.58
SE Danzig LM671 or PB723 22.05
20 km W Danzig NG144 22.10
North of Gydinia NN726 22.10

Crash locations PB723 probably Koln/Kielno, NN726 Putzig/Puck, NG144 in sea 100m off Holzkathen/Smoldzinzki Las, LM671 flew on for 90km crashing near Leba.

Mining operations in the sea around Gydnia, "Spinach" in gardening terms, all by Lancasters, listed nights of operations are, 16-Aug-42, 20-Aug-42, 18-Sep-42, 24-Sep-42, 17-Nov-42, 27-Nov-42, 4-Dec-42, 8-Feb-43, 4-Mar-43, 10-Mar-43, 13-Mar-43, 28-Apr-43, 29-Sep-43, 9-Apr-44, 26-Aug-44, 29-Aug-44, 15-Sep-44, 15-Dec-44, 18-Dec-44, 6-Jan-45

13 March 1943 1 Lancaster ED494 "lost no trace" 7 KIA

28 April 1943 major mine laying operation leading to some contradictions in sources, 5 Lancaster sent to Gdynia 2 lost, Chorley lists W4954, ED325 and ED408 as presumed lost in Gydnia target area all 21 crew killed, W4954 crew buried at Swinemunde, ED325 5 crew buried at Malborg Poland, ED408 3 crew buried at Malborg, rest have no known graves. Swinemunde was another target that night. The one Lancaster Boiten lists as lost to night fighter was sent to Pillau.

Operations for the night: 79 Halifax, 68 Lancaster, 32 Stirling and 47 Wellingtons to various targets, 2 Halifax, 7 Lancaster, 8 Stirling, 6 Wellington missing

26 August 1944 1 Lancaster reported lost, there were 5 minelayer losses that night, all Lancasters, NE138, LM278, LM652, LM694, ME792, Boiten reporting LM652 and LM694 combats as Samso Island area and 25 km W Horstens. Chorley says 33 KIA, 1 PoW each from NE138 and LM278, crash location NE138 unknown, LM278 unknown, LM652 Baltic, LM694 Rye Denmark, ME792 unknown.

29 September 1943 1 Lancaster JB143 lost, shot up by night fighter, ditched off Denmark 1 KIA, 6 PoW Boiten says combat 20 km W Lemvig

9 April 1944 7 Lancaster lost plus another 2 from the force to Pillau, Boiten says all were night fighter kills but on the return journey near Denmark where 7 came down, Chorley agrees, serials JB709, JB725, ND675, ND420, ND625, ME688, ME663, JB600, JB734

15 December 1944 1 Lancaster ND682 lost crashed into the Baltic 7 KIA, Boiten combat location 45 km E Fornaes (S of Anholt)

There are 3 Lancaster listed as missing on mining operations to Danzig, Gardening name Privet, 1 on 18 September 1942, 2 on 26 August 1944. Danzig nights of operations, all by Lancasters, 2-May-42, 20-Aug-42, 18-Sep-42, 24-Sep-42, 17-Nov-42, 27-Nov-42, 4-Dec-42, 8-Feb-43, 4-Mar-43, 10-Mar-43, 13-Mar-43, 28-Apr-43, 29-Sep-43, 9-Apr-44, 26-Aug-44, 29-Aug-44, 15-Dec-44, 18-Dec-44, 6-Jan-45

The Boiten work was originally 2 volumes night fighters only, it has been expanded to multi volume including flak claims, so check those for relevant entries. RAFCommands – The meeting place for RAF researchers maintains a list of RAF personnel and aircraft casualties.

The 8th Air Force bombed Gydnia on 9 October 1943 (6 B-17 losses), 9 April 1944 (3 B-17 losses) and 6 August 1944.

And there is always the possibility of a stray from another raid location.

Thank you very much GeoffreySinclair for such a comprehensive answer, all this information will be very helpful in our ininvestigation.

 

[majsterPK3]

Hello everyone, I am posting a few links to present the current stage of the search.

Link to the profile of our association:

Log in or sign up to view

See posts, photos and more on Facebook.

www.facebook.com

And several articles in local media:

Polscy wojskowi tropią ślady brytyjskiego bombowca sprzed 80 lat. "Utożsamiamy się z ludźmi, którzy wtedy zginęli"

W tym nalocie na Gdańsk, który miał uderzyć w niemieckie stocznie, wzięło udział ponad dwadzieścia brytyjskich samolotów. Dwa z nich nie wróciły już nigdy do domu. Jeden rozbił się w okolicy gdańskiego Wrzeszcza. Los drugiego, na którego pokładzie było siedem osób, do dziś pozostaje pod znakiem...

wiadomosci.onet.pl

Na tropie strÄconego samolotu. Stowarzyszenie "UR" jest coraz bliżej odkrycia w rejonie Åw. Wojciecha

gdansk.naszemiasto.pl

W Gdańsku trwają poszukiwania samolotu. Maszyna została strącona podczas II wojny światowej

W rejonie gdańskiej dzielnicy Święty Wojciech trwają poszukiwania brytyjskiego samolotu Avro Lancaster. Maszyna miała zostać tam strącona w czasie II wojny światowej. Akcję poszukiwawczą prowadzą członkowie Wojskowego Stowarzyszenia Historyczno-Eksploatacyjnego „UR”. Ekipa już dokonała ciekawych...

radiogdansk.pl

The search will continue...

 

[Wurger]

 

[MiTasol]

Hi, my name is Karol Kowalczyk, I am a member of the MILITARY HISTORICAL AND EXPLORATION ASSOCIATION "UR" from Poland.
Wojskowe Stowarzyszenie Historyczno - poszukiwawcze ,,UR"

link to Facebook profile:

Facebook

www.facebook.com

We are a group of soldiers in active service and retired, but most importantly, history enthusiasts.

In our free time, we search for traces of history in our homeland, mainly northern Poland.

About two mons ago, during a weekend trip with a metal detector in the neighborhood of Gdańsk, we came across airplane elements.

We have not yet been able to confirm the origin of the machine one hundred percent, but at the moment everything indicates that it will be a British machine.

This is indicated by the 303 Browning ammunition as well as by the descriptions on the radio elements and equipment, photos of which are attached to the message.

We are conducting an investigation in the local community, we managed to contact a family member of the eyewitness, now a ninety-year-old woman, then a nine-year-old girl who remembers the plane crash, we plan to conduct and document an interview with this lady.

At this stage we are in the process of obtaining a search permit from the landowner as well as from the relevant state institution.

At the moment, we suspect that this is one of two machines lost in the raid on Gdańsk on 1942-1945 between spring and summer as the witness recalls the fall at this time of year when the weather was nice.

My colleagues and I, based on the elements we found, suspect that this is the second crew. To be 100% sure, we need confirmation and we need to find a plate with the aircraft's serial number.

Until official consent is obtained and search work begins, we are looking for all information, such as information about similar losses and missing machines in the missions to Gdańsk and Gdynia.

Possibly access to archives or aerial photos of the area where we found the remains. Thanks to such aerial photos, if they exist, we could determine the year or analyze the place of the fall.

I have already contacted the RAF museum in London and the archives of the Royal Air Force and the archive of aerial photographs, as well as similar associations of enthusiasts. but unfortunately the description of history was ignored, it is very sad that they are indifferent to the fate of their pilots.

I am asking you for help, we are an association of enthusiasts like you, we cover all search costs from our own pocket, searching all British archives involves expenses, maybe you can obtain them for free or do you know people who can help us in obtaining them?

We are also looking for the help of specialists who would be able to determine the model of the machine based on the photos of the fragments found so far.

We also suspect with high probability that the crew of the plane died on the spot and rests there to this day.
It will be an honor for us to find the remains of the crew and honor them with a proper rest.

I am attaching several photos of items found at the crash site, including elements from the pilot's cockpit, ammunition casings, elements of a radio station and coins.


best regards,

Welcome to the forum Karl - I have posted some Lancaster documents in the thread Avro Lancaster and Lincoln manuals that might help. If your group ever create a web page please post it here as some of us do not use facebook.

Naturally photos and news of what your group finds will always be welcome here.

This is your #4 photo - part of a socket used throughout the armament electrical system

and this is the complete engine start switch protective cover with the accompanying press switch 5c/540 button

The flap photo #7 is part of 5D/608

Photo #11 is part of the ignition switches for one engine. Each engine has two magnetos so needs two switches. The diagram below is for a two engined aircraft and I cannot remember if the Lanc used four single or two of these (which is actually two single switches with a single cover that can be slammed down to kill both engines in an emergency). The wiring diagram in the manual probably identifies which.

17 and 18 are standard lift the dot fasteners and were used in many locations to clip fabric or leather items to structure.