This is an authentic, glass-framed aluminium airframe section recovered from a Lancaster bomb. The relic still retains traces of its original wartime finish, making it an attractive and increasingly scarce piece from a all Canadian crew and built aircraft and one of the crew members won a Victoria cross on this flight.
The aluminium section was torn, bent and distorted by the impact of the crash but remains in good, solid condition. It has been carefully cleaned while preserving its original character and wartime patina.
The relic is presented in a glass-fronted box frame, complete with aircraft information, making it an excellent display piece for any aviation or Second World War collection. The frame measures approximately 10 half inches by 10 half inches.
The part comes from Lancaster KB726 was a Canadian‑built Lancaster Mk X of No. 419 “Moose” Squadron, shot down over France on 12/13 June 1944, with its crew suffering mixed fates including one posthumous Victoria Cross award and a all Canadian crew.
Aircraft Details
Lancaster Mk X KB726 (Code VR‑A) was operated by No. 419 (Moose) Squadron RCAF and based at RAF Middleton St. George
Crash Details
KB726 took off at 21:44 hrs on 12 June 1944 for a bombing mission against Cambrai, France. The aircraft was attacked by a German Ju‑88 night fighter, which destroyed the port engines and set the rear fuselage ablaze. The bomber crashed near Gaudiempre, France after the crew attempted to abandon the burning aircraft. The attack was likely carried out by Oblt. Friedrich Thörl of Stab 1./NJG4 at around 00:21 hrs
Crew Details
The full crew of KB726 consisted of seven men
P/O Arthur De Breyne (Pilot, RCAF) – Evaded capture
Sgt. Roy E. Vigars (Navigator, RAFVR) – Taken prisoner
F/O A. Robert Bodie (Flight Engineer, RCAF) – Evaded capture
Sgt. Jack William Friday (Wireless Operator, RCAF) – Taken prisoner
W/O2 Andrew Charles Mynarski VC (Mid‑Upper Gunner, RCAF) – Died of injuries; awarded the Victoria Cross for attempting to rescue the trapped rear gunner.
W/O2 W. James Kelly (Air Gunner, RCAF) – Evaded capture
F/O George Patrick Brophy (Rear Gunner, RCAF) – Survived crash and evaded capture
Mynarski’s heroic attempt to save Brophy, despite being engulfed in flames, led to his posthumous Victoria Cross, the highest Commonwealth award for gallantry.
This is an authentic, glass-framed aluminium airframe section recovered from a Lancaster bomb. The relic still retains traces of its original wartime finish, making it an attractive and increasingly scarce piece from a all Canadian crew and built aircraft and one of the crew members won a Victoria cross on this flight.
The aluminium section was torn, bent and distorted by the impact of the crash but remains in good, solid condition. It has been carefully cleaned while preserving its original character and wartime patina.
The relic is presented in a glass-fronted box frame, complete with aircraft information, making it an excellent display piece for any aviation or Second World War collection. The frame measures approximately 10 half inches by 10 half inches.
The part comes from Lancaster KB726 was a Canadian‑built Lancaster Mk X of No. 419 “Moose” Squadron, shot down over France on 12/13 June 1944, with its crew suffering mixed fates including one posthumous Victoria Cross award and a all Canadian crew.
Aircraft Details
Lancaster Mk X KB726 (Code VR‑A) was operated by No. 419 (Moose) Squadron RCAF and based at RAF Middleton St. George
Crash Details
KB726 took off at 21:44 hrs on 12 June 1944 for a bombing mission against Cambrai, France. The aircraft was attacked by a German Ju‑88 night fighter, which destroyed the port engines and set the rear fuselage ablaze. The bomber crashed near Gaudiempre, France after the crew attempted to abandon the burning aircraft. The attack was likely carried out by Oblt. Friedrich Thörl of Stab 1./NJG4 at around 00:21 hrs
Crew Details
The full crew of KB726 consisted of seven men
P/O Arthur De Breyne (Pilot, RCAF) – Evaded capture
Sgt. Roy E. Vigars (Navigator, RAFVR) – Taken prisoner
F/O A. Robert Bodie (Flight Engineer, RCAF) – Evaded capture
Sgt. Jack William Friday (Wireless Operator, RCAF) – Taken prisoner
W/O2 Andrew Charles Mynarski VC (Mid‑Upper Gunner, RCAF) – Died of injuries; awarded the Victoria Cross for attempting to rescue the trapped rear gunner.
W/O2 W. James Kelly (Air Gunner, RCAF) – Evaded capture
F/O George Patrick Brophy (Rear Gunner, RCAF) – Survived crash and evaded capture
Mynarski’s heroic attempt to save Brophy, despite being engulfed in flames, led to his posthumous Victoria Cross, the highest Commonwealth award for gallantry.
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