To Danny and all - Polish airmen in the RAF
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Warsaw
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
To Danny and all - Polish airmen in the RAF
Gents
Some 500 Polish airmen joined the RAF post-war. I have collated a list of around 400 names but information about them is rather vague, dry ORB entries and very few memories.
I am after any recollections, anecdotes or stories, as elaborate as possible. Also any photos, log book entries or whatever documentary evidence are most welcome.
I cannot say if it will turn into a book and when, but I think the history is worth of preservation.
Thank you in advance.
Franek
https://www.facebook.com/Franciszek-...1360809684411/
Some 500 Polish airmen joined the RAF post-war. I have collated a list of around 400 names but information about them is rather vague, dry ORB entries and very few memories.
I am after any recollections, anecdotes or stories, as elaborate as possible. Also any photos, log book entries or whatever documentary evidence are most welcome.
I cannot say if it will turn into a book and when, but I think the history is worth of preservation.
Thank you in advance.
Franek
https://www.facebook.com/Franciszek-...1360809684411/
If you are interested in a colourful Polish Met forecaster I can provide anecdotes. Also, there were a fair number of your countrymen at RAF Topcliffe in mid 1960s ... I have at least two names, a Flt Lt and a MPlt.
Vic Strilkowski (Spelling?) Polish Chief Tech Engines at Tern Hill and Shawbury prior to 1975, when I met him.
He was also known as Stril Vicowski, and used the call for "Dat stinking eM-Dee-Rrr Macheen!" (MRD for the uninitiated)
Last time i met him was in a Birmingham Departure Lounge in October 76...I was going on my Honeymoon!
He was also known as Stril Vicowski, and used the call for "Dat stinking eM-Dee-Rrr Macheen!" (MRD for the uninitiated)
Last time i met him was in a Birmingham Departure Lounge in October 76...I was going on my Honeymoon!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Warsaw
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No, I am sorry, but I am not related to any airman of my name, at least I am not aware of it. It is a popular name in Poland, and some made abroad, hence two pilots in Britain during WWI, one of them killed in R101 crash.
Yes, go on with any names and any stories, looking forward!
Strilkowski - I must look for similar name, as I do not find him at first glance.
Best wishes
Franek
Yes, go on with any names and any stories, looking forward!
Strilkowski - I must look for similar name, as I do not find him at first glance.
Best wishes
Franek
Franek
Related through marriage to my wife was Jozef Tyszko who flew with the Polish Air Force during the war,won the Military Cross I believe as a result of some deed whilst on the run in occupied Europe after being shot down,joined the RAF post war,was a graduate of the Empire Test Pilots School and finally lost his life in Sweden working as a test pilot for Cessna in 1965.
SF
Related through marriage to my wife was Jozef Tyszko who flew with the Polish Air Force during the war,won the Military Cross I believe as a result of some deed whilst on the run in occupied Europe after being shot down,joined the RAF post war,was a graduate of the Empire Test Pilots School and finally lost his life in Sweden working as a test pilot for Cessna in 1965.
SF
Sycamore
Yes thanks-by a weird twist of fate my uncle was adjutant(flying) at ETPS when it celebrated its 25th anniversary and produced a "glossy" part of which consisted of all the course photographs upto that point so have a picture.
SF
Yes thanks-by a weird twist of fate my uncle was adjutant(flying) at ETPS when it celebrated its 25th anniversary and produced a "glossy" part of which consisted of all the course photographs upto that point so have a picture.
SF
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: UK East Anglia
Age: 66
Posts: 678
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have a book, “The Forgotten Few” Adam Zamoyski. ISBN 184884196-5 Pen and Sword. Details Polish Air Force during WW2. Must admit it was ages ago since I read it but my neighbor was very interested in the Polish contribution. He was of Indian descent.
Langley,
There was a “Mr Val”, a Polish Met man at Oakington in 70s. He used to come to Hull City away games with us. I was a teanager at the time.
Langley,
There was a “Mr Val”, a Polish Met man at Oakington in 70s. He used to come to Hull City away games with us. I was a teanager at the time.
My colleague was "Kas": small, very smart, very polite, punctual, meticulous .............
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Wales
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Polish test pilot at RAF St Athan late sixties/early seventies, cannot remember his name. Jumped in front of my car while I was driving through camp and asked me to drive him to Barry. He wanted to put a bet on at the local bookies and the horse race was imminent. So I did and made my excuses when I got back to work.
Sycamore
Was that 1968?Not got the glossy to hand at moment.If so you may well remember my uncle,Frank Watson,who is the person I mentioned.He was a flight engineer.
SF
Was that 1968?Not got the glossy to hand at moment.If so you may well remember my uncle,Frank Watson,who is the person I mentioned.He was a flight engineer.
SF
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Warsaw
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
SF
On 28/29 August 1942 Tyszko baled out of his stricken Wellington and landed near Geetbets. He did not make contact with underground and on 2 September 1942 entered British Consulate at San Sebastian. A month later he was back in the UK, and gave a tour giving lectures on survival in enemy held territory. I recall the story as being told by one of his pals. He had unassuming look, and could easily masquerade as a Frenchman. He managed to the Spanish border in Pyrenees, and went into a queue of labour, either French or Spanish, trying to cross the border. He realised that there is a document check, but did not panic, folded a newspaper to ID format, and when against German guard, in quick motion he put the 'documents' just in front of the face of the guard, so he had to step back, and let him go. When at San Sebastian, he spend quite a while observing Spanish guards, until he realised what is the best moment, and then ran into consulate.
I know Zamoyski's book, and got some interesting stuff from the author.
Please, follow on!
Franek
On 28/29 August 1942 Tyszko baled out of his stricken Wellington and landed near Geetbets. He did not make contact with underground and on 2 September 1942 entered British Consulate at San Sebastian. A month later he was back in the UK, and gave a tour giving lectures on survival in enemy held territory. I recall the story as being told by one of his pals. He had unassuming look, and could easily masquerade as a Frenchman. He managed to the Spanish border in Pyrenees, and went into a queue of labour, either French or Spanish, trying to cross the border. He realised that there is a document check, but did not panic, folded a newspaper to ID format, and when against German guard, in quick motion he put the 'documents' just in front of the face of the guard, so he had to step back, and let him go. When at San Sebastian, he spend quite a while observing Spanish guards, until he realised what is the best moment, and then ran into consulate.
I know Zamoyski's book, and got some interesting stuff from the author.
Please, follow on!
Franek
Our copilot on tankers was John Grzybowski (thus spelt) - an alternative spelling of your name I assume Franek. His father had also been an RAF pilot but I have no details I'm afraid. John was unfortunately killed when instructing on Gnats at Valley.
Yes, John was on my Basic JP course at Leeming in 69-70. He was desperate to get to FJ but just scraped every check and was eventually sent to Varsitys. After one tour he was delighted to be given Gnat QFI but was wiped out when his stude pulled too hard around finals at Shawbury, on a practice div. A great shame, as he was one of the most pleasant and enthusiastic guys I have ever met.
His father was ATC at Topcliffe whilst we were at Leeming and hosted many a good PU during the course.
mog
His father was ATC at Topcliffe whilst we were at Leeming and hosted many a good PU during the course.
mog