304 SQUADRON POLISH AIR FORCE IN EXILE

[archivist]

WACLAW SERWINSKY

He was born on 22nd February 1897 in Chylinie. After completing his education he had various jobs, finally working as an engineer in a power station at Biezuniu. In April 1919 he was conscripted into the Air Force and went to serve in the workshops of the Krakow air regiment, specialising in aviation mechanics. In February 1921 he decided to make the army a career and shortly afterwards he was made up to Sergeant. He worked on French Breguet aircraft and later on PZL Karas.

On the outbreak of war he went to Romania where he was interned and spent time in various camps. He managed to get to a Black Sea port and took ship for Marseille, France, which he reached in January 1940. He made his way to the Polish Depot at Lyon-Bron and, after the fall of France, he got to La Rochelle and sailed for England. He arrived in Liverpool and went, via Glasgow and RAF West Kirby, to the Polish Depot at RAF Blackpool.

From there he was posted to RAF Bramcote and joined the newly formed 304 Squadron under the command of Jan Bialy. He stayed with the Squadron until May 1946 when he decided to return to Poland. He had several jobs but was forced to retire early due to ill health and died on 28th February 1965 just after his 68th birthday. He is buried in the cemetery at Komorowie. He was awarded the Bronze Cross of Merit for outstanding technical service rather than bravery.

[archivist]

SKARZYNSKI G/Cpt Stanislaw

He was born 1 May 1899, near Warta Sieradz and in 1918 he was already in the military and was involved in disarming the surrendered German forces. He was wounded in the back in December 1919 whilst fighting the Russians. In August 1920 he received shrapnel wounds in the knee, from a grenade, and was told he would never be fit to fight again. However, he remained in the army and, in June 1925, he went to the flying school in Bydgoszcz. Prior to the outbreak of war, he progressed through various squadrons and rose through the ranks to commander of an air regiment.

Between the wars he made his name as an aviation pioneer with major flights across Africa and across the Atlantic and became the only Pole ever to win the Bleriot medal (in 1936). When war broke out, he was evacuated to Romania and played a major part in organising the transit of Polish airmen to France. At this time he was Deputy Chief of Staff of the Polish Air Force.

In late June 1940 he arrived, via France, in England and in 1941, he took command of the Polish Flying Training School at RAF Hucknall, later moving to RAF Newton in the same capacity.

In December 1941, he went to RAF Bramcote to train on Wellington bombers and, in April 1942, he assumed command of RAF Lindholme which was the home base for 304 and 305 Polish Squadrons. Although not directly attached to either Squadron, he was still a fighter at heart and began to fly bombing missions as second pilot. On 25th June 1942 he was on a 305 Squadron mission to Bremen when one engine failed and they were forced to ditch in the North Sea about 40 miles off Great Yarmouth.

He was the last to leave the aircraft and the rest of the crew managed to get into a dinghy and heard his cries for help for about half an hour but were unable to save him. They were picked up by a Royal Navy vessel after about eight hours in the water but Skarzynski drowned and his body was washed ashore on Terschelling Island in the Friesian Islands off the coast of the Netherlands. He was buried in West Terschelling cemetery. He was posthumously promoted to Group Captain.

During the course of his career he was awarded the Silver Cross of the Order of Virtuti Militari, the Cross of Independence, the Officer Cross of the Order of Poland, the Cross of Valour (three times), the Gold Cross of Merit and the Silver Cross of Merit. He also won the Cross of the Romanian Crown, the Hungarian Cross of Merit, the Brazilian Southern Cross and the French Legion d’Honeur.

[sue]

Thank you for the information on Waroczewski and his flight crew. No one should ever tire of stories that involve sacrifice - no matter how long ago they were. I especially appreciate you tenacity to remember these individuals. My brother was a US fighter pilot and was killed in a routine training over Germany in 1988. I went there 10 years after the accident looking for the small memorial marker set up at the crash site ( a farming field). I was especially touched that I was able to walk into this small town, and with the help of a few local people I approached, find this marker. The marker had some grass growing around it and one man even offered to go home right then and get his mower. They didn't forget my brother and that meant the world to me.

Susan Skowronski Homola

[archivist]

KRZYWONOS P/O Jozef

He was born on 12th February 1920 in Przemysl where he was educated and finally graduated in 1938. His interest in aviation developed whilst he was still a teenager. Because of financial difficulties, he could not continue his education to university leveland so he applied to join the aviation school in Warsaw. He was accepted and, from January 1939, he trained as a technical officer.

On the outbreak of war he was evacuated to Romania and arrived at Tulcei where he learned that he would be interned and decided to make a break. He returned to Poland and went to live with his paternal grandparentsfor a while and then he moved on to Bucharest and travelled by rail through Jugoslavia and Italy to France. He arrived there on 4th February 1940 and was sent to the Polish Depot at Lyon-Bron. Three months later he was transferred to Versailles where he learned the principles of radio and Morse code.

On the fall of France he went to La Rochelle and, in June 1940, he managed to find a ship to Plymouth in England. He was sent to an infantry base near Biggar in Scotland and he objected because he was an aviator. He was given 14 days in the glasshouse but served only seven and then, by a circuitous route, he managed to get to the Polish Depot in Blackpool during November 1940.

He was allocated to 309 army co-operation Squadron at Renfrew in Scotland after some time there, he moved on to RAF Cranwell in February 1942. He took a shortened officer training course and passed out as best man on his intake. In September 1942 he was assigned to 304 Squadron at RAF Dale as signals officer.

He was promoted to Pilot Officer on 1st October 1942 and moved on to 318 fighter Squadron in charge of maintenance of radio and navigation equipment. His next move was to Port Said in Egypt to prepare for the invasion of Italy. He remained with this squadron until August 1946 when they returned to England. He had married an Italian lady and stayed behind pending his demobilization which occurred on 1st May 1947. Unwilling to return to Poland, he applied to live in South Africa but was refused entry and so he moved to Argentina. He took a job with Alpha Airlines as a communications technician on flying boats.

He moved on to the United States of America in 1959 and eventually took out a private pilot’s licence and settled in Shelburne, Vermont.

[archivist]

To Sue,

I am glad that you have enjoyed reading this. I cannot cover all the men, from all the nations on both sides of the conlict, but I have chosen this one squadron to research. I am no academic, just an ordinary man with a deep sense of gratitude to the heroic Poles who cameand fought for my country.

You understand that your brother should be remembered. I am trying to create a permanent memorial to these men so they will never be forgotten for their courage and their sacrifice all those years ago. Sadly, they are all now either dead or very old men. They must Not be forgotten.

Neville

[archivist]

Due to work commitments, I have neglected this forum for a few days but the information is still rolling in. During the last week I have made contact with 2 crew members of 304 Squadron and the son of another. So watch this space! I hope to have a lot more to post soon. I have also persuaded the tourist authority of the County of Derbyshire to add Stanislaw Jozefiak to the famous Derbyshire people section of their website and they have used the information and photograph I supplied verbatim. He is not really a Derbyshire born person but he has lived there for 59 years and they agree with me that he qualifies! He lives in the city of Derby, which is where the Rolls Royce engines which powered the Wellington bombers are made.

[karl]

Neville

Welcome back, for you have been missed! Now the question, what are you to do with the earned riches gained from all of this extra work??

Karl

[archivist]

Thank you Karl,

Just an update: The son of Sgt Nilski (who survived the crash of R1392 in 1941) has promised to copy some documents and photographs this evening and send them to me; I am not sure whether this will be by e-mail or regular land mail but I will publish any results as soon as I can.

Since my last posting I have a lead to another person, an English land owner, who owns land on which at least three aircraft crashed - one of them from 304 Squadron. She is very interested in investigating and creating memorials to downed airmen so I am very hopeful.

[archivist]

Sgt Nilski's son has sent me a number of documents including a Police Report and an RAF Report on the crash of R1392. I will need to spend some time collating all this information and I will post it tomorrow. This will be details from the reports and a bio of Sgt Nilski himself.

[archivist]

This is the first part of the reports on the crash of R1392 (more to follow); the spelling and grammatical errors are not mine.

POLICE REPORT ON THE CRASH OF R1392
AIR RAID INCIDENT (MISCELLANEOUS)

Parish: Heathfield Date: 28th May 1941 Time: 02.40 hrs
East Sussex Constabulary
Nature of Incident: 2 Friendly Polish Airmen landed by parachute. (1 injured)
Police Station: Hailsham
DETAIL
I beg to report that at 02-40 hrs on the 28th Inst. 2 Friendly Polish Airmen attached to 304 Bomber Squadron (Polish) RAF Station, Syerston Nr Newark, Notts made a parachute decent (sic) from a Wellington Bomber which crashed at a spot near Battle, Sussex shortly afterwards. The first man, Sergt. No. 780327 A,C.2. Stanislaw Jozefiak (front gunner) was found in the garden of a cottage at Broad Oak, Heathfield with a fractured left leg, and was taken by ambulane to The Kent and Sussex Hospital, Tunbridge Wells and detained. The Sccond Airman Sergt No. 781069 Josef Nilski (Wireless Operator) reported at this station at 05.15 hrs the same morning, having been suspended from a tree in a wood close by since his decent.

The R.A.F. Authorities at Hawkinge were notified, and the uninjured Airman was conveyed back to Hawkinge later that day. Hailsham Police & Battle Police were notified at 05-30. hrs. 28/5/41

Time and Date information received by Police: (02.45. hrs. & 05.15. hrs. 28/5/41.)

Signature: Stanley Newman P.C. 181.

[archivist]

This is the text of a hand written report from the Chief Constable's office on the actual crash

At 02.45 0n 28th May 1941, a Wellington Bomber, number unknown,crashed and was completely destroyed by fire at Doctor’s farm in the parish of Battle. Three members of the crew were killed and extremely burned, two of whom have been identified as C Wieczorek, Identity No 0040 RAF, and B Kuszczynski identity no 0009 RAF both being Polish Nationality. The third being extensively burned and not identified. Two other members of the crew made parachute descents and landed in the Broad Oak, Heathfield district, one of which gave the information that the sixth member bailed out whilst the plane was over Germany. The Battle Fire Service was in attendance also the Police. Guard of this machine was taken over at 05.00 hrs on 28-5-41 by the Anti Tank Inf Brigade Vinehall, Mountfield. At 13.45 hrs on 28th the three bodies were collected by RAF Hawkinge who were in charge of Cpl EGN Donald, who signed receipt for personal things found on the bodies after being handed same.

Two points of interest:

1. The unidentified body was the pilot Jan Stanislaw Waroczewski

2. The aircraft had been bombing Boulogne on the French Channel Coast and was never anywhere near Germany.

[archivist]

NILSKI Sgt Jozef P-781069

He was born on 10th January 1919 at Warsaw and he served with the 4th Air Force Regiment from 30th September 1937 until 18th Sept3mber 1939 – the day after the Russian Invasion of Poland and fought in the Polish campaign. After this he crossed the frontier and made his way to France where he joined the Polish Air Force under French Command and was sent to the Polish Air Force Reserve Depot at Lyon-Bron.

He was assigned for service in the United Kingdom and arrived on 7th March 1940 and, two days later, joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve at RAF Eastchurch in Kent. After the surrender of France, in June 1940, the Polish Air Force was formed under British command and he joined it with effect from 6th August 1940. He was a wireless operator and air gunner and was under training as a navigator.
On 16th July 1940 he was posted to the Polish Air Force Training Centre at RAF Hucknall and then, on 10th October 1940, he wass assigned to 304 Squadron at RAF Bramcote, transferring with the Squadron to RAF Syerston in December 1940 and then on to RAF Lindholme in July 1941.
On the late evening of 27th May 1941, his crew took off for a bombing mission to Boulogne and on the return journey one engine was hit by flak and the plane went out of control and plunged several thousand feet. The pilot gave the order to bale out and one crew member did so, over the English Channel. His body was never found and he has no known grave. A little later the pilot again gave the order but no one jumped as they were still over the sea. Gradually they limped back to England and the order was given again; two of the crew jumped and were both injured. The aircraft crashed very shortly afterwards killing the three remaining crew members. In the ensuing fireball the pilot was burned beyond recognition and the other two crew were also badly burned.
Reports vary on the injuries sustained by Sergeant Nilski and his fellow survivor but both were out of action for several months. After breaking his ankle and being hung up in a tree, Sergeant Nilski made his own way to a Police Station some two and a half hours after the crash. He was taken to hospital in Tonbridge Wells in Kent.
On 30th August 1941 he was transferred to the Polish Air Force Depot at RAF Blackpool, which was quite normal for injured airmen who were not ready to return to active duty.
He was never to return to active flying but remained in the PAF as a Leading Aircraftman (ground crew). The remainder of his service was as follows:

5th October 1941 300 Squadron at RAF Hemswell
18th December 1941 305 Squadron atRAF Lindholme
10th January 1942 301 Squadron at RAF Hemswell
21st November 1942 50 Group at RAF Watchfield
7th November 1942 301 Squadron at RAF Hemswell and, from 19th April 1943, at RAF Tempsford
22nd November 1943 5091 Mobile Signals Unit at RAF Chigwell
28th February 1944 84 Group at RAF Northolt
1st August 1944 Back to 5091 Mobile Signals Unit on posting to France supporting the Invasion forces after D_Day
14th January 1945 10 OTU in the UK
23rd February 1945 Air Crew Training Centre at RAF Hucknall
22nd June 1945 Polish Initial Training Wing at RAF Croughton
8th November 1946 Demobilised from the PAF and enlisted in the Polish Resettlement Corps
10th July 1947 Honourably discharged into civilian life with a conduct rating of very good

As well as his various British and Polish campaign medals, he also won the Polish Cross of Valour. Although his injuries kept him from operational flying, he never ceased to make the effort and to make his contribution to the war effort. He remained in England and sadly he died in the 1970s at the young age of 55.

[archivist]

R1002 (NZ-L) 14th July 1941

This aircraft took off at 22.40 on 14th July 1941 from RAF Syerston on a mission to bomb Bremen. On the return journey it was hit by flak and lost the starboard engine. With considerable skill, the pilot, Sgt Janusz Trzebski managed to get the Wellington back to England on the remaining engine. They had made radio contact with RAF Langham in Norfolk and were expecting a flare path to guide them in. Unfortunately there was an air raid in progress and the flare path could not be lit up. It was a moonless night, with low cloud and the pilot had to descend to a very low level whilst they looked for the airfield. They flew in at near rooftop level and at the last moment saw the roof tops of a small village; he had no power to climb but managed to avoid the village before being forced into a belly landing at 02.38 on the morning of 15th July 1941 in nearby woodland at Stiffkey, Norfolk – just two miles from the airfield. Impact with the trees sheared off the wings but the fuselage missed the larger trees . The Wellington was a total write off but all the crew and all the villagers survived with no serious injuries

After the war, the pilot remained in England and restored a 13th Century Manor House on the Isle of Wight, developing it into a house and gardens (open to the public) and a vineyard. He died on 2nd January 2003 and is buried in the grounds of the Manor.

[archivist]

Re my last post:

There are so many new items appearing on this item that it coud change (in detail - the basic story remains the same)

[archivist]

I have received a letter from Stanislaw Jozefiak, hero of R1392 and later a Spitfire pilot of some distinction. He has presented me with some photographs and a copy of a book he wrote some years ago. I would like to reproduce the letter here but it is just a bit too personal and reduced this big butch Englishman to tears. I can tell you that it is notable for the modesty and for his loyalty to Britain, even after the disgraceful treatment handed out to the Poles after the war.

I would like to share with you the dedication he wrote to me in the book:

"With all the best wishes to Neville Bougourd, I am giving my book as a present to remember we fight for freedom of Poland with all our power because we love our country. Stanislaw Jozefiak."

Simple and honest; the words of a patriot who could not return to his beloved homeland after the war. It is nice to report that he now has excellent contacts with "home" and visits regularly.