Wellington Z8427 near Hatfield Chase, Doncaster.
During the evening of 16th December 1941 the crew of this 305 Squadron aircraft had left Lindholme at 17.59hrs for a operational flight to Ostend. They released their bomb load without incident and made for home. By 21.00hrs the aircraft was over Lindholme and received various instructions to begin descending at intervals and prepare to land. At 21.15hrs they were in the landing circuit at Lindholme when the aircraft flew into the ground near Crowtree Farm, Hatfield Chase injuring all on board to varying degree. The pilot returned into the wreckage three times to drag other members of his crew clear before loosing consiousness. Four were treated at Doncaster hospital. An incorrectly set altimeter was found to blame, the pilot thought he was five hundred feet higher than he actually was.
Pilot (at the controls) - Sgt Marian Lembrych PAF (793474). Multiple fractures and concussion.
Pilot - Sgt Alojzy Pawel Gusowski PAF (782821). Broken leg and concussion.
Navigator - F/O Karol Piotr Gebik PAF (P/0116). Minor injuries.
Wireless Operator - Sgt Kazimierz Maciej Gorny PAF (780991). Concussion and minor injuries.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Michal Gora PAF (793883). Broken arm and concussion.
Air Gunner - Sgt Bronislaw Roman Zwiewka PAF (794036). Shock.
Sgt Gusowski was the pilot of Wellington Z8339 on 19th / 20th June 1942 on Ops to Emden, the aircraft was shot down by a night fighter
and crashed near Raalte, Holland and he died as a result. He was twenty six years old and is buried in Raalte General Cemetery, Holland. He had
arrived at 305 Squadron from 18 OTU in September 1941.
Wellington Z8427 was built to contract B.71441/40 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd. at Weybridge and was awaiting collection in October 1941. It collected by 23 M.U. at Aldergrove on 12th October 1941 but returned to Vickers for modifications on 21st October 1941. On 8th November 1941 it was taken on charge by 305 Squadron. As a result of the damage sustained on 16th December 1941 Cat.E2/FB was the damage assessment and it was struck off charge on 22nd December 1941.
Karol Gebik was later awarded the DFC for service with 305 Squadron and was posted to 138 Squadron for Special Duties. as F/Lt on 14th
September 1943 he was flying in Halifax JD154 on an SOE flight to Poland when the aircraft struck a building neat Kalisz, Poland. He is buried in
Poznan Old Garrison Cemetery, Poland. He was thirty years old.
Kpl Gorny was killed on 28th August 1942 when 305 Squadron Wellington Z1281 failed to return from an operational flight. He is buried in Haverlee War Cemetery.