Date: 5/6th April 1942
Unit: No. 304 Squadron (Polish)
Type: Wellington IC
Serial: X9764
Coded: NZ-
Location: Geetbetz
Pilot: P/O. Alfred Osadziński P1570 P.A.F. Age; 25. Killed (Kąty, Kraków. Poland)
Co/pilot: P/O. Kazimierz Ziemiański P1586 P.A.F. Age; 25. Killed (New York (U.S.A)
Nav: Fl/Lt. Zygmunt Natkanski 76775 P.A.F. Age; 34. Killed (Skierniewiec. Poland.)
W/Op: Sgt. Dominik Marian Grajnert 783452 P.A.F. Age; 22. Killed (Krzepczów Piotrków)
Air/Gnr: F/O. Ludwig Karol Assman P1538 P.A.F. Age; 26. Killed (Nupajedel (Cz)
Air/Gnr: Sgt. Zdzislaw Babraj 780935 P.A.F. Age; 22. Killed (Kraków, Poland.)
REASON FOR LOSS:
Took off at 22.58 hrs from Linholme, Yorkshire to attack Cologne, part of a 263 force. Five of these failed to return this night and X9764 was shot down by Oblt. Henrich Peterson of 6./NJG1. The aircraft was lost over Geerbetz which is 10 kms North West of St. Trond at 02.28 hrs and all the aircrew were killed. Oblt. Peterson survived the war with two kills to his credit however he was wounded on the night of 5/6th June 1942 when his aircraft an Me 110 collided with a Stirling R9314 OJ-T of 149 Squadron and the rear turret of the Stirling was ripped off, both he and his radio operator baled out.
Left to right: P/O. Kazimierz Ziemiański, Fl/Lt. Zygmunt Natkanski, Sgt. Dominik Marian Grajnert, F/O. Ludwig Karol Assman, Sgt. Zdzislaw Babraj
(Grave photographs courtesy of Rob Phillips from Polish War Graves)
Burial Details:
Alfred Osadziński Heverlee War Cemetery, Belgium. Grave. III.E.1.
Kazimierz Ziemiański Heverlee War Cemetery, Belgium. Grave. III.E.2.
Zygmunt Natkanski Heverlee War Cemetery, Belgium. Grave. III.E.5.
Dominik Marian Grajnert Heverlee War Cemetery, Belgium. Grave. III.E.6.
Ludwig Karol Assman Heverlee War Cemetery, Belgium. Grave. III.E.3.
Zdzislaw Babraj Heverlee War Cemetery, Belgium. Grave. III.E.4.
