Archive Report: Allied Forces

Compiled from official National Archive and Service sources, contemporary press reports, personal logbooks, diaries and correspondence, reference books, other sources, and interviews.
Check our Research databases: Database List
.

---

We seek additional information and photographs. Please contact us via the Helpdesk.

---

18.12.1944 No 432 Squadron Halifax II NP699 QO-O F/O. Max Krakovsky DFC

Operation: Duisberg

Date: 18th December 1944

Unit: No. 432 Squadron (RCAF)

Type: Halifax Mk II

Serial: NP699 (Oscar the Outlaw)

Coded: QO-O

Location: Rocroi, Ardennes, France.

Pilot: F/O. Max Krakovsky (Carson) DFC. J/26685 RCAF Survived

Fl/Eng: P/O. Michael Joseph Boylan 187754 RAFVR Age 19. Killed

Nav: F/O. Robert Leslie Cann J/36389 RCAF Age 22. Killed (1)

Air/Bmr: F/O. Gordon Douglas Wilson J/37726 RCAF Age 22. Killed

W/Op/Gnr: P/O. Alfred Goodman-Wells Blayney J/90837 RCAF Age 27. Killed

Air/Gnr: P/O. Stanley Ernest Zadorozny J/95483 RCAF Age 21. Killed (2)

Air/Gnr: P/O. James William Green J/95292 RCAF Age 20. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

On the outward leg, just after 06:00hrs, in the vicinity of Rocroi, Ardennes, France, Halifax Mk VII NP699 QO-O of 432 Squadron RCAF collided with Halifax Mk III LV818 ZA-F of 10 Squadron RAF, flown by Fl/Lt. Geoffrey Deller Body.

Both aircraft fell to earth, fourteen of the fifteen crew on board were lost their lives.

The one survivor was F/O. Max Krakovsky, RCAF, the Pilot of NP699, who landed safely by parachute near Bruly, Belgium. Max became a friend of David Mole but sadly Max recently passed away. (September 3rd 2005) On the morning of the crash, six bodies were recovered by the Americans and buried in an American Cemetery at Fosse, near Namur, Belgium.

A short time afterwards another four bodies were recovered, again by the Americans and buried in an American Cemetery at Champigneul, Marne, France.

Above left: P/O. Alfred Blayney and P/O. Stanley Zadorozny awaiting debrief following a raid on Osnabrük in September 1944 . (Shown here as Fl/Sgt's) Centre: F/O. Robert Leslie Cann. Right: F/O. Max Krakovsky.

Above left: P/O. Michael Joseph Boylan and P/O. James William Green. Right: F/O. Gordon Douglas Wilson with P/O. Alfred Goodman-Wells Blayney.

NP699 with centre: P/O. Michael Joseph Boylan Right: P/O. Stanley Ernest Zadorozny.

Left: F/O Robert Leslie Cann. Right: F/O Cann in the centre.

In late 1945 a further body was recovered and buried in the Communal Cemetery at Taillette, Ardennes, France, by the local Civil Authorities.

A further body was found in 1948, and again buried in Taillette Communal Cemetery by the Local Authorities.

In 1951 a body was found near Sevigny-la-Foret, Ardennes, France, and buried in the local Churchyard by the Commune.

P/O. Alfred Blayney and P/O. Stanley Zadorozny awaiting debrief following a raid on Osnabrük in September 1944. (Shown here as Fl/Sgt's)

After the War the bodies at Fosse were exhumed, identified, and re-buried at Leopoldsburg War Cemetery, Belgium.

The bodies from Champigneul were exhumed, identified where possible, then the two Canadians were re-buried at Dieppe Canadian Cemetery and the One British plus one un-identified were re-buried at Clichy New Communal Cemetery, near Paris, France.

The body from Sevigny-la-Foret was exhumed in 1953, identified, and re-buried at Choloy Military Cemetery, France.

P/O. Alfred Blayney and P/O. Stanley Zadorozny awaiting debrief following a raid on Osnabrük in September 1944 . (Shown here as Fl/Sgt's)

Max Krakovsky (Carson)

Krakovsky, F/O. Max (J26685) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.432 Squadron - Award effective 10 May 1945 as per London Gazette dated 25 May 1945 and AFRO 1291/45 dated 10 August 1945. Born 1923 at Cobalt, Ontario; home in Toronto (chemist). Enlisted in Toronto, 12 May 1942. Trained at No.6 ITS (graduated 23 October 1942), No.20 EFTS (graduated 22 January 1943) and No.6 SFTS (graduated 28 May 1943). Commissioned May 1943. Name changed to Carson, May 1950. No citation other than "completed...numerous operations against the enemy in the course of which he has invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty." DHist file 181.009 D.5557 (RG.24 Vol.20668) had recommendation dated 16 January 1945 when he had completed 34 sorties (156 hours five minutes), 7 August to 18 December 1944.

This officer has completed a lengthy operational tour most successfully. His trips include some of the most difficult targets in Germany. His co-operation, coolness and devotion to duty contributed in a large measure to the success of these operations. His splendid record and high degree of technical ability warrant a strong recommendation for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Max Krakovsky later changed his name to Carson on the 8th June 1945, just prior to marrying on the 24th June 1945. He passed away on the 3rd September 2005 and is buried in Toronto, Canada. His head stone carries the RCAF logo.

(1) Cann Island in Nahili Lake, Manitoba is named after F/O. Cann

(2) Zadorozny Lake in Manitoba is named after P/O. Zadorozny

Burial details:

P/O. Boylan Michael Joseph. Leopoldsburg War Cemetery: VIII.B.11. Son of Thomas and Henrietta Boylan of Motherwell, Lanarkshire. Grave inscription reads: "They Miss Him Most Who Loved Him Best. R.I.P".

F/O. Cann Robert Leslie. Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery: N.30. Son of Leslie O. Cann and Margaret G. Cann of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Grave inscription reads: "Ever Loved And Remembered".

F/O. Wilson Gordon Douglas. Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery: N.20. Son of James and Elizabeth Wilson of Chatham, Ontario, Canada. Grave inscription reads: "Dear Son Of E. And J. Wilson, Chatham, Ont., Canada "For Our To-Morrow He Gave His To-Day".

P/O. Blayney Alfred Goodman-Wells. Leopoldsburg War Cemetery: VIII.B.7. Foster son of Frederic C.H. and Beatrice Louise Blayney, husband of Hazel Isobel Blayney of Little Shemogue, Westmorland, New Brunswick, Canada. Grave inscription reads: "No Greater Love Hath Any Man Than This".

P/O. Zadorozny Stanley Ernest. Choloy War Cemetery: 4.D. 10. Stepson of Mr and Mrs. George Jesson of Sanford, Manitoba, Canada. Grave inscription reads: "Always Remembered By His Friends".

P/O. Green James William. Runnymede Memorial: Panel 250. Son of James and Emily Green of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

This great selection of photographs have recently been received by Aircrew Remembered from David Mole - further information follows on other losses by David and we would like to express our sincere gratitude for this information received. This way these people will never be forgotten and for the surviving relatives and aviation researchers we can now show the faces to the names placed on graves by the CWGC who carry out such tremendous work. With thanks to the sources quoted below.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
All site material (except as noted elsewhere) is owned or managed by Aircrew Remembered and should not be used without prior permission.
© Aircrew Remembered 2012 - 2024 Last Modified: 28 March 2021, 14:30

Monitor Additions/Changes?Click to be informed of changes to this page. Create account for first monitor only, thereafter very fast. Click to close without creating monitor