Date: 25/26th June 1942
Unit: No. 304 Squadron (Polish)
Type: Wellington IC
Serial: DV441
Coded: NZ-Q
Location: North Sea
Pilot: P/O. Jan Kramin (1) P-1604 P.A.F. Age; 22, Missing (Born; Klimanowice, Poland.)
Co/Pilot: Sgt. Henryk Kué 792037 P.A.F. Age; 27, Missing (Born; Sokolów, Poland.)
Nav: Fl/Lt. Marian Józef Dydziul P-0190 P.A.F. Age; 37, Killed (Born; Suwalki, Poland.)
W/Op: Sgt. Tadeusz Kamyszék 783875 P.A.F. Age; 32, Missing (Born; Pozaniu, Poland.)
Air/Gnr: Sgt. Jan Wojtaś 781144 P.A.F. Age; 28, Missing (Born; Baranowie, Poland.)
Air/Gnr: Sgt. Nikita Mikolaj Talach 781912 P.A.F. Age; 26, Missing (Born; ? Poland.)
(1) We are delighted that the family of the pilot Jan Kramin has contacted us (Julia Kosałka) and provided us with some great photographs. We would appreciate anyone with further information on them.
Please see "HERE"
REASON FOR LOSS:
Although based in Dale this aircraft together with a further 6 Wellington's from 304 squadron took off from Bircham Newton, Norfolk as part of the famous 1000 bomber raid on Bremen (Although 960 aircraft became available). DV441 (204 squadron were part of coastal command at this stage of the war) was shot down by a German night fighter but no further details are available to date.
It is reported that the complete crew drowned but only the body of Fl/Lt. Marian Józef Dydziul was recovered.
Wellington IC DV441 NZ-Q
Left to right: Jan Kramin, Henryk Kué, Marian Dydziul, Tadeusz Kamyszék, Jan Wojtaś, Nikita Talach.
Burial Details:
All except Fl/Lt. Marian Józef Dydziul are commemorated at the Polish War Memorial Northolt, England. Fl/Lt. Marian Józef Dydziul's body was recovered and we understand was given a military funeral at sea.
Researched by Kelvin T. Youngs (Aircrew Remembrance Society February 2009)
The Aircrew Remembrance Society would like to thank Julia Kosałka, Robert Gretzyngier, Woitek Matusiak, Wadldemar Wojcik and Josef Zielinski for the use of some of these photographs. We highly recommend their publications regarding WW2 Polish Air Force and are happy to provide other researchers information where they can be purchased. See "here"
