Operation Gelsenkirchen Reason for Loss Hit by Flak over the target, sustaining damage to three engines. A fire broke out and the order to bale out was given, Sgt King complying immediately. The flames were then brought under control and course was resumed. subsequently, at 0350 10Jul43 the Lancaster was ditched some 4 miles off Hastings, Sussex. The crew were sighted by a member of the Royal Observer corps and the six survivors were picked up ninety minutes later by an ASR launch.