BK270
Crashes > of the R.A.F.
On its return flight from the bombing raid on Cologne, the Wellington III was attacked by night fighters. First Lieutenant Hans-Dieter Frank of 2./NJG 1 took aim at the Wellington in his Messerschmitt Bf 110 and scored several hits. At an altitude of 3,800 metres, the aircraft caught fire and quickly lost altitude. The aircraft broke apart over the Gerkerath district of Mönchengladbach.
Some crew members attempted to save themselves by jumping out, but the jump altitude was too low and their parachutes failed to open. They were later recovered dead from trees in the surrounding area.
The explosion of the aircraft caused the tail section to break off. The tail gunner, who was still strapped into his seat, was thrown out of the aircraft and crashed to the ground. He broke through the roof of a house and the ceiling of the first floor and fell into the toilet pit below. He was rescued with serious injuries but died immediately after being rescued.
A broken-off, burning wing of the aircraft crashed onto the roof of farmer Heinrich's house and set it on fire, completely destroying the house.
All of the dead were recovered and buried in the cemetery in Mönchengladbach. In July 1946, they were exhumed and laid to rest at the Rheinberg British Cemetery.
Additional sources: Theo Boiten, Nachtjagd 1942, Volume 3
Ludwig Hügen, book: ‘und stürzten brennend ab’ (and crashed in flames)
Below:
The crash site near Gerkerath, close to Mönchengladbach
Top left:
The pilot, Fl/Sgt. John Percy Jolley, RCAF
Top right:
The bomb aimer, Fl/Sgt. Henry Arthur Grover, RCAF
Bottom left:
The navigator, Fl/O Leslie Rowland Scourfiled, RCAF