The Wellington Bomber of John Trzebski

"NZ-L for Lucy Returns"

painting by John Howard Worsley

P: in the series "Echoes of the Home Front by John Howard Worsley.

This print now comes with a full story-sheet describing John Trzebski's escape from Poland at the beginning of WW2 and
how he joined the Royal Airforce. It tells of the last flight of L for Lucy which came to grief in woodland in Nofolk after
returning from a raid on Bremen. There are photos of the crash scene and a lot more.

Whilst returning from a raid on Bremen in 1942, John's Wellington NZ-L was hit by flak which resulted in the loss of power from the starboard engine. He managed to coax the aircraft back to England on the remaining engine and at around 2 am made radio contact with an emergency landing field at Langham in Norfolk. The night was totally black with low dirty cloud obscuring the ground, so a guiding flare path was requested. This was promised but as an air-raid warning was in progress, the lights failed to appear. John desperately circled the area, losing height. His brain was mesmerised by the swirling mists through which he flew. He was peering intently ahead, when he suddenly saw the rooftops and chimneys of a small village. John hauled on the controls in an attempt to clear the dwellings but there was insufficient power to climb. The aircraft mushed on and, with its nose up, pancaked into woodland at Stiffkey. The area consisted of many mature oaks and other equally stout trees. L for Lucy smashed a path through the vegetation but luckily, the fuselage veered between the more mature trees.
The aircraft was completely wrecked but the crew all survived.

"The best aircraft ever built" is John's firm belief.

To see photos of the crash scene, click on:

jonzon14.html

Available as hand mounted prints 10" x 8" , 14" x 11" & 20" x 16".

Also available to order as Canvas Repro'