Stefan Niczewski

6 February 1942 Wellington Z1282 300 Sqn. Take off 17.15 RAF Hemswell as part of 60 aircraft to bomb the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau in Brest harbour. Approaching in a sweeping curve from the west they came under heavy Flak from Naval units of the escort ships and Flak ships anchored out at sea. The weather was appalling with heavy icing. During the bomb run unknown to the crew the bomb release mechanism froze leaving a photoflash flare hung up in the bomb bay. While over the south west coast the pilot made a tight turn and the flare dropped onto the bomb bay doors and exploded. The explosion blew out the astrodome and peeled the fabric back as far as the tail. While trying to make an emergency landing at RAF Exeter the near uncontrollable aircraft missed its first approach. Turning to go around again it stalled and crashed near the village of Blackhorse Gardens
killing 3 crew.

P/O Wojciech Veit
F/Sgt Czeslaw Bialy
Sgt Stefan Niczewski - All killed

F/O Henryk Kracinski - injured not returning to active service
F/O Jan Chonka - injured, broken arm, hip and knee did not return to active service.
Sgt Zygfryd Blachowski - unhurt MIA 5/9/1942.

Unknown