Operation: Nürnberg, Germany

Date: 2nd/3rd January 1945 (Tuesday/Wednesday)

Unit No: 300 (Masovian) Squadron (PAF), 1 Group, Bomber Command

Type: Lancaster I

Serial: PB823

Code: BH:T

Base: RAF Faldingworth, Lincolnshire

Location: Laix, France

Pilot: Sqn Ldr. Brunon Benedykt Janas P-1093 PAF Age 30. KiA

Flt Eng: Sgt. Maksymilian Wruś 781108 PAF Age 37. KiA

Nav: Sgt. Wiktor Omiotek 704450 PAF Age 25. KiA

Bomb Aimer: WO. Jan Banyś 780229 PAF Age 29. KiA

WOp/Air Gnr: Sgt. Stefan Zieliński 705532 PAF Age 29. KiA

Air Gnr (Mid Upp): Sgt. Romuald Drozdowicz 706719 PAF Age 32. KiA

Air Gnr (Rear): Sgt. Walenty Marian Heine 784105 PAF Age 27. KiA

REASON FOR LOSS:

Took off from RAF Faldingworth 15:16 hrs on an operation to bomb Nürnberg in Germany.

The aircraft exploded and crashed near Laix (Meurthe-et-Moselle), Bazailles, and Ville-au-Montois, three villages 12 km ESE of Longuyon, France.

It was firstly thought that PB823 was claimed by a night fighter Hptm. Martin Becker of Stab IV./NJG6. However, the timing and location his two claims this night are consistent with the passage of the Ludwigshafen bomber stream to and from the target, and therefore cannot be reconciled with the loss of PB823.

The only circumstance where PB823 would be even remotely in the position and time Becker made is claim at 19:32hrs would be if the Lancaster crew somehow aborted their mission early, say in the Stuttgart region, and never reached Nürnberg. As the entire crew was killed, it’s not possible to prove this.

From the Nürnberg force, at least three (3) Lancasters were damaged by US Anti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA) fire on the homeward route in the Metz/Thionville/Luxembourg areas. It is probable that PB823 was shot down by US AAA.

Burial details:

The commemorative plate on the war memorial erected in the Ville de Montois in November 2003.

Initially buried at the American cemetery at Grand Failly before being reinterred at the Pierrepoint French National Cemetery in 1964. (Cimetiere de Dieuze)

Sqn Ldr. Brunon Benedykt Janas. Pierrepoint French National Cemetery. Joint grave: 1357-1363. Born on the 1st June 1915 in Niedobczycach, Rybnik.

He fought during the German invasion of Poland in 1939. Joined RAF (301 Squadron) in 1941 after fighting with the French from Lyon. Then joined 300 Squadron in 1944.

Sgt. Maksymilian Wruś. Pierrepoint French National Cemetery, Joint grave: 1357-1363. Born on the 28th April 1908 in Bydgosszcz. Husband of Cecilia (née Ruminska) Wrus. Son of Jozef Wrus and Joanna (née Iwicka) Wrus.

He fought during the German invasion of Poland in 1939 and also fought in France and then joined the RAF in March 1940.

Sgt. Wiktor Omiotek. Pierrepoint French National Cemetery. Joint grave: 1357-1363. Single. Born on the 25th August 1920 Roki, Poland.

Fought during the German invasion of Poland in 1939. He was imprisoned by the Russians before joining the RAF in 1942.

WO. Jan Banyś. Pierrepoint French National Cemetery, Joint grave: 1357-1363. Born on the 26th October 1916 in Golczowice, Olkusz, Kielce, Poland. Son of Pawel and Katarzyna Banys. Married.

He fought during the German invasion of Poland in 1939 and also fought with the French before joining the RAF.

Sgt. Stefan Zieliński. Pierrepoint French National Cemetery, Joint grave: 1357-1363. Born on the 4th August 1916. Son of Jan and Katarzyna Zielinski. Single.

He fought with the French army in Syria before joint the British Army and then the RAF in April 1943.

Sgt. Romuald Drozdowicz. Pierrepoint French National Cemetery, Joint grave: 1357-1363. Married. Born on the 20th February 1912 in Osciewicze, Drizna, Poland.

He fought during the German invasion of Poland in 1939 - imprisoned by the Russians, once freed joined the British Army and served in the Middle East before joining the RAF in April 1943.

Sgt. Walenty Marian Heine. Pierrepoint French National Cemetery, Joint grave: 1357-1363. Single. Born on the 3rd February 1918 in Grojec, Poland.

He fought during the German invasion of Poland in 1939 - fought in France before joining RAF in 1940.

Researched for relatives and friends of the crew. With thanks to Robert Gretzyngier, Woitek Matusiak, Waldemar Wojcik and Josef Zielinski for photos of the crew. Thanks to Roderick J. MacKenzie, co-author of the “Nachtjagd War Diaries - Volume 2” for the correction to the loss information for the aircraft (Dec 2025).

Other sources listed below:

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