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
Sam
He was Tadeusz Antoniak, ex-316 Sqn Mustang jock. He passed away in 2004 in Nottingham. Any stories on him? Have you got any photos of the period or can you send relevant log book pages? Thanks!
Gypsy
Well, what I know about Nick is quite limited. I hope that one day I will learn more about him and hopefully find his log. Should be an interesting read.
As to Zura roll I guess he meant Zurabatic Cartwheel. You have to go vertical in a Meteor, turn down one engine, and go full power on the other so the aircraft rotates by about 540 deg and then to recover. See the picture.
He was Tadeusz Antoniak, ex-316 Sqn Mustang jock. He passed away in 2004 in Nottingham. Any stories on him? Have you got any photos of the period or can you send relevant log book pages? Thanks!
Gypsy
Well, what I know about Nick is quite limited. I hope that one day I will learn more about him and hopefully find his log. Should be an interesting read.
As to Zura roll I guess he meant Zurabatic Cartwheel. You have to go vertical in a Meteor, turn down one engine, and go full power on the other so the aircraft rotates by about 540 deg and then to recover. See the picture.
DIRECTOR
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: U.K.
Posts: 664
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Franek
Wow. Guess Nick was a bit of a character. He was born 9th March 1920 in Czestochowa and died in Grange-over Sands in 1982.His letter to my father was from 2 Earl St, Edgeley, Stockport after he left RAF South Cerney in Aug 1941 aged 21 years old.
I guess all Poles had to have had some previous flying experience to be taken on by the RAF?? If so wonder where he got his?
Wow. Guess Nick was a bit of a character. He was born 9th March 1920 in Czestochowa and died in Grange-over Sands in 1982.His letter to my father was from 2 Earl St, Edgeley, Stockport after he left RAF South Cerney in Aug 1941 aged 21 years old.
I guess all Poles had to have had some previous flying experience to be taken on by the RAF?? If so wonder where he got his?
Franek, the only photo I have of Wladek in uniform, on the right. Those look like Polish pilot's wings on his lapel, is that correct?. The family name is Liber but you've written Libera: was that a typo or what the PAF records show?
I read a tale somewhere, may very well have been on Pprune. Polish bomber pilot in the RAF who had a complaint made to the CO by his crew that his piloting skills were not what they thought acceptable. CO flew with the gentleman and observed that the crew's concerns were valid. Asking the Pole about his background and training he replied "I trained as a navigator, not a pilot". Well done that man, if true it makes for a good story about the heroism of the Poles.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Warsaw
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kemble
There might be a typo somewhere, I cannot say without primary documents. He is listed as Libera in published lists, but they could be erroneous.
As to the picture, could you make a higher density scan of it? The first man seems a sailor, the second army, there is a 2 on his epaulette, suggesting No 2 Regiment or other unit. I do not see the exact shape of the badge, though. It would be unusual place for pilot's badge.
Megan
Pre war Polish observers (navigator and bomb aimer in one) had a basic pilot training, so they could take over the plane in case of wound or death of a pilot, so perhaps there is some truth in the story.
There might be a typo somewhere, I cannot say without primary documents. He is listed as Libera in published lists, but they could be erroneous.
As to the picture, could you make a higher density scan of it? The first man seems a sailor, the second army, there is a 2 on his epaulette, suggesting No 2 Regiment or other unit. I do not see the exact shape of the badge, though. It would be unusual place for pilot's badge.
Megan
Pre war Polish observers (navigator and bomb aimer in one) had a basic pilot training, so they could take over the plane in case of wound or death of a pilot, so perhaps there is some truth in the story.
Not easy to get a better scan as its framed and on the wall ! The first man is my father Edward Liber who was a midshipman at the time and became the gunnery officer on ORP Krakowiak, second man their older brother Maciej? who was (I understand) a cavalry officer, then Wladek PAF officer.
Family name is Liber and that's also what it says on his log-book so a type has crept in somewhere.
Family name is Liber and that's also what it says on his log-book so a type has crept in somewhere.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Warsaw
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I see. Do you have pictures and paperwork of your uncle? I guess there was some typo in the papers or the error was generated during preparing the list of 17,000 airmen.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Warsaw
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sycamore
No details on him, I guess he was either still in training or not assigned to a combat unit. The answer shall be in his personal file, but it will take a while to have a look there.
No details on him, I guess he was either still in training or not assigned to a combat unit. The answer shall be in his personal file, but it will take a while to have a look there.
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: South Yorkshire U.K.
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
[QUOTE=Franek Grabowski;10238458]thegypsy
Wacław 'Nick' Niezręcki, he flew SD Halifaxes during the war, later RPAF, returned to the UK and joined RAF. At some point flew Canberras. He delivered Lancaster PA474 to BBMF, as he was found to have most recent experience on Lancasters in the RAF from a few years back, ignoring Shackleton jocks!
I don't know if this is the same Nick Niezrecki that I knew in the 1970's. I ran a garage near Bawtry & Nicky was one of my regular customers. He had retired from the RAF but refrained from talking about his wartime exploits. For a long time I only knew him as Nicky until he bought a rough Triumph TR2 that I had taken in part exchange, when I prepared his invoice receipt & he gave his name I asked him to write it as there was no chance that I would get it correct. He intended to renovate the car which I thought would be an impossible task. Some time later, probably a year or so, he called in the garage & invited me to his house (at Westwoodside) to have a look at the car. I went to see it & he had transformed it into a presentable classic. It was never going to be concours without spending mega money, but he had increased its value & desirability vastly.
I remember during his regular chats that he would drop into conversation that he had either just called in or was just going to see personnel at RAF Finningley. He seemed to be able to visit the base with ease as if he had served there or possibly Lindholme, I wasn't aware at the time that there were many Polish based there in the war but since then we often have a walk at Hatfield peat moor & pass the memorial to the Polish fliers who perished there when there aircraft crashed near Lindholme. Just for information, when I informed a friend of the memorial location (not easy to find) he has recently been to place a memorial wreath at the site.
Unfortunately I lost contact with Nicky when I moved from the garage in 1977 but as you can see I have many happy memories of a very likeable man.
Wacław 'Nick' Niezręcki, he flew SD Halifaxes during the war, later RPAF, returned to the UK and joined RAF. At some point flew Canberras. He delivered Lancaster PA474 to BBMF, as he was found to have most recent experience on Lancasters in the RAF from a few years back, ignoring Shackleton jocks!
I don't know if this is the same Nick Niezrecki that I knew in the 1970's. I ran a garage near Bawtry & Nicky was one of my regular customers. He had retired from the RAF but refrained from talking about his wartime exploits. For a long time I only knew him as Nicky until he bought a rough Triumph TR2 that I had taken in part exchange, when I prepared his invoice receipt & he gave his name I asked him to write it as there was no chance that I would get it correct. He intended to renovate the car which I thought would be an impossible task. Some time later, probably a year or so, he called in the garage & invited me to his house (at Westwoodside) to have a look at the car. I went to see it & he had transformed it into a presentable classic. It was never going to be concours without spending mega money, but he had increased its value & desirability vastly.
I remember during his regular chats that he would drop into conversation that he had either just called in or was just going to see personnel at RAF Finningley. He seemed to be able to visit the base with ease as if he had served there or possibly Lindholme, I wasn't aware at the time that there were many Polish based there in the war but since then we often have a walk at Hatfield peat moor & pass the memorial to the Polish fliers who perished there when there aircraft crashed near Lindholme. Just for information, when I informed a friend of the memorial location (not easy to find) he has recently been to place a memorial wreath at the site.
Unfortunately I lost contact with Nicky when I moved from the garage in 1977 but as you can see I have many happy memories of a very likeable man.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Warsaw
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hello
It is not a popular name, and I think he was the only person of that name in the UK, so no doubt the same person.
I do not know if Nick ever married or had any children. Certainly a very interesting character and pilot with a very interesting but forgotten career.
Franek
It is not a popular name, and I think he was the only person of that name in the UK, so no doubt the same person.
I do not know if Nick ever married or had any children. Certainly a very interesting character and pilot with a very interesting but forgotten career.
Franek
DIRECTOR
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: U.K.
Posts: 664
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
re Waclaw Niezrecki
This is the letter he wrote to my father after leaving RAF South Cerney in Aug 1941
Dear Flt Lt ***
Forgive me please for writing this letter to you. Because I want to say you good Baye and good luck sir.
I am very sorry I did not say when I was leaving station.
But it was impossible becaourse you have not been in flight in your office.
But by the letter I say you very much thanks to you Sir and I wish to myself to have always Flight Commander a like you Sir because really you was like father for us. I do like you very much Sir.
I will never forget this school and my Fl/C so yet ones many thanks for you Sir and for everything what did you for me Sir when I have bean in that school let God keep you always safety for whole your life and let your life it always happy. But never sad that is wishes from one of your pupils from last course.
I am very sorry if something in this letter is no so good English. With hoping you will always happy Sir.
yours sincerely Polish pupil Niezrecki Sgt Pilot
This is the letter he wrote to my father after leaving RAF South Cerney in Aug 1941
Dear Flt Lt ***
Forgive me please for writing this letter to you. Because I want to say you good Baye and good luck sir.
I am very sorry I did not say when I was leaving station.
But it was impossible becaourse you have not been in flight in your office.
But by the letter I say you very much thanks to you Sir and I wish to myself to have always Flight Commander a like you Sir because really you was like father for us. I do like you very much Sir.
I will never forget this school and my Fl/C so yet ones many thanks for you Sir and for everything what did you for me Sir when I have bean in that school let God keep you always safety for whole your life and let your life it always happy. But never sad that is wishes from one of your pupils from last course.
I am very sorry if something in this letter is no so good English. With hoping you will always happy Sir.
yours sincerely Polish pupil Niezrecki Sgt Pilot
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Warsaw
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hello
Sorry for belated reply!
Great letter, and magnificent document of the era! Would not you mind sending the name of your father to my PM?
All the best
Franek
Sorry for belated reply!
Great letter, and magnificent document of the era! Would not you mind sending the name of your father to my PM?
All the best
Franek
Franek
Now you're back a small query off thread a bit but relevant to Poland in WW2.
Listening to the radio the other day I heard the "Warsaw Concerto" by Richard Addinsell being played and wondered whether this concerto was still popular today in Poland?
Originally written in 1941 for the British film 'Dangerous Moonlight' the concerto was an immediate success and is still aired regularly today, so is it still well known in Poland?
Synopsis of the film from Wiki::
A performance on You Tube can be seen here:
Thanks
WT
Now you're back a small query off thread a bit but relevant to Poland in WW2.
Listening to the radio the other day I heard the "Warsaw Concerto" by Richard Addinsell being played and wondered whether this concerto was still popular today in Poland?
Originally written in 1941 for the British film 'Dangerous Moonlight' the concerto was an immediate success and is still aired regularly today, so is it still well known in Poland?
Synopsis of the film from Wiki::
Dangerous Moonlight takes place at the start of World War II and tells the story of a Polish concert pianist and composer, Stefan Radecki (Anton Walbrook) who defends his country by becoming a fighter pilot. After an air raid in Warsaw by the German army, he is discovered by an American reporter, Carol Peters (Sally Gray), practising the piano in a bombed-out building. It is the opening of his Warsaw Concerto, at this point a work in progress, and the first line he says to her is, "It is not safe to be out alone when the moon is so bright" (referring to the moonlight bombing raids). Gazing intently at Carol and disclosing "something lovely you've just given me", he introduces the lyrical second theme of the Concerto. And, indeed, this melody is always associated with Carol.[4] Like Rachmaninoff, Addinsell introduces it almost as a nocturne. Stefan speaks of the piece later in the film: "This music is you and me. It's the story of the two of us in Warsaw, of us in America, of us in … where else I don't know. That's why I can't finish it". But finish it he does. Similar to the way that Rachmaninoff returns to his second theme in his Second Piano Concerto, the "Carol" melody is used, not only to bind together the emotional strands of the drama, but to bring the Concerto to a triumphant conclusion. Throughout the film, the unfinished piece is defined in a relationship with Frédéric Chopin's "Military" Polonaise, symbolising Polish patriotism.[4] It is "completed" when the Polonaise elements are integrated with the Romantic theme, implying the fusion of romantic and patriotic love.[4]
Within the context of its story, Dangerous Moonlight is also effective in creating the impression of a larger work written and performed by the film's fictional composer and pianist. When snatches of the Concerto are first played, one character tells another, "I've got the records", and when the "premiere" is shown, we are provided with a close-up of the program, Warsaw Concerto, with three movements listed. Only one movement was actually written by Addinsell.
Within the context of its story, Dangerous Moonlight is also effective in creating the impression of a larger work written and performed by the film's fictional composer and pianist. When snatches of the Concerto are first played, one character tells another, "I've got the records", and when the "premiere" is shown, we are provided with a close-up of the program, Warsaw Concerto, with three movements listed. Only one movement was actually written by Addinsell.
WT
To those that don't know, Danny, to whom this thread is partially dedicated to, passed away today.
Farewell Danny42C
Farewell Danny42C