Wellington XIV HF334 at Doncaster aerodrome.

In mid-June 1945 a number of Wellingtons were deemed suitable for being effectively scrapped by Brooklands Aviation Ltd at their Doncaster works site. On 16th June 1945 a number of Wellingtons were flown to the site from Cornwall and Deven. 304 Squadron sent some from St.Eval and it also appears that aircraft that had belonged to the recently disbanded 14 Squadron were also despatched from Chivenor for the same fate. One of the 14 Squadron aircraft, Wellington MF727, may have crashed or have been damaged at Doncaster on landing that day.

In June 1945 304 Squadron, based at St.Eval, Cornwall began to wind down. It transferred from Bomber Command to Transport Command on 14th June 1945. On 16th June 1945 Wellington NF334 was one of three 304 Squadron aircraft being flown to Brooklands Aviation Ltd, Doncaster where they were to be broken down and used for spares. The pilot of HF334 attempted to land at the aerodrome at Doncaster but flew two overshoots. There was no ground-to-aircraft communications to assist the pilot, it had a difficult approach line and there was a cross wind blowing. On his third attempt HF334 landed on the grass runway but overshot into a hedge which saw the aircraft come to a halt with the undercarriage collapsed in soft ground. The aircraft was damaged and to a degree that saw it struck off charge with a Cat.E/FA damage assessment.

Pilot - W/O Waclaw Wasiak RAF (781226).