Airspeed Oxford Mk.I BM837 of 410 Squadron, RCAF, crashed on Winter Hill near Bolton while flying from Acklington probably to Coleby Grange on the 24th December 1943

Flt Lt Cybulski appeared in the famous photograph of Mosquito DZ757, RA-Q, with most of the canvas burnt off the aircraft and no rudder. This occured when he attacked a Do217 which exploded immediately ahead of the Mosquito. Both he and his Navigator were awarded the D.F.C.

The citation which appeared in the London Gazette on the 9th November 1943 is as follows:

"Acting Flight Lieutenant Martin Anthony CYBULSKI / (Can/J. 15807), Royal Canadian Air Force, No. 410 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron.

Flying Officer Harold Herbert LADBROOK (139394), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 410 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron.

As pilot and observer respectively, these officers have taken part in numerous sorties, involving attacks on rail installations, locomotives -and various other targets. During a sortie one night in September, 1943, they attacked a Dornier 217 at close range. Following a well directed 'burst of fire, the enemy aircraft exploded in the air. Flight Lieutenant Cybulski was temporarily blinded by the explosion and the aircraft went into a steep dive. Flying Officer Ladbrook resourcefully regained control, however, and afterwards, Flight Lieutenant Cybulski, who had quickly recovered, flew the aircraft to base. These officers have invariably displayed great skill and tenacity."

Today very little of the aircraft remains at the crash site on Winter Hill, though during our visit with Nick Wotherspoon (who had visited the site in the early 1980s) we did find numerous small items, including some which proved the crash site was that of an Oxford.

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