X9756
Crashes > of the R.A.F.
During the attack on Cologne, the Wellington Ic, X9756 was fired upon by flak and crashed on the left bank of the Rhine in Wesseling.
It crashed into Kölnerstrasse (formerly Adolf-Hitler Str.), half destroying the corner house " Röllgens Eck" and setting it on fire.
On impact, the plane's fuel tanks exploded, causing fires in the surrounding buildings.
It was only thanks to the courageous efforts of the Wesseling Volunteer Fire Brigade, who set up a portable fire pump and hose lines in the immediate vicinity of the crash site despite the repeated explosion of ammunition, that these fires were quickly contained.
The entire crew of the Wellington died in the crash and was buried in Cologne's South Cemetery.
I received extensive information on the crash of the X9756 from Mr. Peter Meschenich of the "Verein für Ort-und Heimatkunde Wesseling e.V.".
Many thanks for this
Above:
The crash site on Kölner Str., in the background.
"Röllgens Eck".
centre left:
Propeller of the X9756
middle right;
The destroyed "Röllgens Eck".
bottom left:
"Röllgens Eck" before the destruction