Date: 1941 Jul 16/17			A/C Type: Wellington IC		SN: R1718		Code: KX-N		A/C Nickname:
File: 712		Airforce: RAF		Sqn/Unit:  311 Sqn (Czech)			Mission/Raid: Hamburg
1	Pilot	F/Sgt. Jaroslav Nyc					9
2	CP/Obs	Sgt. Karel Stastny					10
3	Fl Eng/AG	F/O Jaroslav Zafouk					11
4	WO/AG	Sgt. Frantistek Knap					12
5	WO/AG	P/O Otakar Cerny					13
6	Rear gunner	Sgt. Jiri Mares                     KIA, buried Lemmer					14
7							15
8							16
Hit by a nightfighter and turned back over the lake towards land. Belly landed at the Wouda pump station, sea 1,5km W of Lemmer.  Five of the crew became POW. Aircraft lay wheels up when landed.

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The story goes that Sgt. Mares refused to climb out the sinking aircraft, as he was terrified by the idea of being captured by the Germans. He drowned.

The Germans recovered the aircraft. Sgt. Jiri Mares was buried as second airman on the Lemmer cemetery (first row, in the back, second grave from left).

See photos of the Lemmer war graves in our Lemmer-file: Search Menu, search on: Cemeteries - LCE or Lake Area Cemeteries - Lemmer.



Sources: 

- https://fcafa.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/wellington-aircraft-of-311-sqn/ 




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