To Danny and all - Polish airmen in the RAF
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WT
I am afraid that Warsaw Concerto and Dangerous Moonlight are virtually unknown in Poland. I am not sure if the film was ever shown or aired here. Such things were prohibited for quite a while, and now they are forgotten, sadly.
JW411
Kuryłowicz had a lengthy, dramatic and tragic life, as you probably know and passed through a number of squadrons, including 316, indeed. I know nothing on his post war life, but that he was in the RAF and died tragically. I would appreciate if you can add anything.
I am afraid that Warsaw Concerto and Dangerous Moonlight are virtually unknown in Poland. I am not sure if the film was ever shown or aired here. Such things were prohibited for quite a while, and now they are forgotten, sadly.
JW411
Kuryłowicz had a lengthy, dramatic and tragic life, as you probably know and passed through a number of squadrons, including 316, indeed. I know nothing on his post war life, but that he was in the RAF and died tragically. I would appreciate if you can add anything.
Franek
Given that the film was released in the UK during WW2 when Poland was occupied by the Germans, I'm not surprised the accompanying music doesn't have the popularity it had in the UK back then and to some degree still has now in the UK.
According to Google, Dangerous Moonlight was last broadcast by the BBC three years ago, probably in better quality than the low-low quality versions available on YouTube.
Thanks
WT
I am afraid that Warsaw Concerto and Dangerous Moonlight are virtually unknown in Poland. I am not sure if the film was ever shown or aired here. Such things were prohibited for quite a while, and now they are forgotten, sadly.
I am afraid that Warsaw Concerto and Dangerous Moonlight are virtually unknown in Poland. I am not sure if the film was ever shown or aired here. Such things were prohibited for quite a while, and now they are forgotten, sadly.
According to Google, Dangerous Moonlight was last broadcast by the BBC three years ago, probably in better quality than the low-low quality versions available on YouTube.
Thanks
Last edited by Warmtoast; 15th Nov 2018 at 11:04.
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I am afraid only few people here know about the film, and well, the plot is not up to the times. Well, one of many films that vaished with its times.
Thanks for reminding!
Franek
Thanks for reminding!
Franek
I've just come across this thread and have a couple of names for you but little else. I believe Peter Peckowski was ex-RAF and he was the Chief Helicopter Flying Instructor at British Executive Air Services at Oxford (Kidlington) Airport in the 1960's and Ted Novak (or Nowak) was also there. Ted's name is anglicised, I believe.
I knew and flew occasionally with both Peter and Ted in the 1970's. Both did a lot of film work, mainly in Alouette helicopters. The BBC series Birds' Eye View showing England from the air was one TV series they did. They are listed as other crew here: Birds' Eye View cast .
I've found a photo of Peter at the far left in the cockpit of an Alouette during the filming of the film The Red Baron. My good friend, the late Peter Allwork is the cameraman.
Peter Peckowski did my Bolkow 105 helicopter conversion at Shannon in 1973. My abiding memory of that is him constantly smoking, even during my practice single engine landings! In the photo above he even has a cigarette in his hand!
I worked with Ted in 1974 - in fact when he lost his pilot's licence on medical grounds I took over his job. Whether it was true or not I don't know but I was told he was still in the RAF when the 1955 Dambusters film was made and that he flew one of the Lancasters. I last saw Ted in Aberdeen Airport in the early 1980's when he was working as some kind of statistician on an offshore oil rig.
Sorry I haven't got anything in more depth.
I knew and flew occasionally with both Peter and Ted in the 1970's. Both did a lot of film work, mainly in Alouette helicopters. The BBC series Birds' Eye View showing England from the air was one TV series they did. They are listed as other crew here: Birds' Eye View cast .
I've found a photo of Peter at the far left in the cockpit of an Alouette during the filming of the film The Red Baron. My good friend, the late Peter Allwork is the cameraman.
Peter Peckowski did my Bolkow 105 helicopter conversion at Shannon in 1973. My abiding memory of that is him constantly smoking, even during my practice single engine landings! In the photo above he even has a cigarette in his hand!
I worked with Ted in 1974 - in fact when he lost his pilot's licence on medical grounds I took over his job. Whether it was true or not I don't know but I was told he was still in the RAF when the 1955 Dambusters film was made and that he flew one of the Lancasters. I last saw Ted in Aberdeen Airport in the early 1980's when he was working as some kind of statistician on an offshore oil rig.
Sorry I haven't got anything in more depth.
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Hello Democritus
'Pitu' Peckowski as he was known in No 304 Sqn PAF flew Wellingtons in Coastal Command service. He later joined RAF and at some point converted onto helicopters. He flew in Borneo with some distinction, and I believe a Sycamore in the RAF Museum was flown by him at some point. I know that he went for film work, but apart of doing a lot of filming, I know little about him. He did some flying with Lynn Garrison, but I could not find contact for him.
As to Ted Novak, I am confused. I recall Joe Kmiecik and Ted Szuwalski being involved in the filming, some funny stories being around.
Best wishes
Franek
'Pitu' Peckowski as he was known in No 304 Sqn PAF flew Wellingtons in Coastal Command service. He later joined RAF and at some point converted onto helicopters. He flew in Borneo with some distinction, and I believe a Sycamore in the RAF Museum was flown by him at some point. I know that he went for film work, but apart of doing a lot of filming, I know little about him. He did some flying with Lynn Garrison, but I could not find contact for him.
As to Ted Novak, I am confused. I recall Joe Kmiecik and Ted Szuwalski being involved in the filming, some funny stories being around.
Best wishes
Franek
Franek,in the December `Aeroplane`` magazine there is an article on the Javelin operations in the Far East,with a photo of the `Badger` caught by `Benny Baranowski.....
There is also a photo of the final 60 Sdn aircrew..BB may be 4th from right,front row,his normal pilot Colin Holman is 3rd from right...
There is also a photo of the final 60 Sdn aircrew..BB may be 4th from right,front row,his normal pilot Colin Holman is 3rd from right...
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Sycamore
Many thanks and sorry for belated reply. I have been trying to obtain the journal here, but in vain. I know the Badger photo, and I know of a photo of Baranowski and Holman, but I was unable to find the original source to obtain good copies of them. Have not seen the squadron picture. Who is the author?
Many thanks and sorry for belated reply. I have been trying to obtain the journal here, but in vain. I know the Badger photo, and I know of a photo of Baranowski and Holman, but I was unable to find the original source to obtain good copies of them. Have not seen the squadron picture. Who is the author?
Sycamore
Many thanks and sorry for belated reply. I have been trying to obtain the journal here, but in vain. I know the Badger photo, and I know of a photo of Baranowski and Holman, but I was unable to find the original source to obtain good copies of them. Have not seen the squadron picture. Who is the author?
Many thanks and sorry for belated reply. I have been trying to obtain the journal here, but in vain. I know the Badger photo, and I know of a photo of Baranowski and Holman, but I was unable to find the original source to obtain good copies of them. Have not seen the squadron picture. Who is the author?
Last edited by Warmtoast; 13th Dec 2018 at 11:06.
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Franek,
Nor directly connected to the earlier postings, but perhaps you can help. I had a good friend, Stan Brezetski, who was SATCO at Luqa in Malta late-60s/early 70s. Retired with heart problems in the 70s to East Anglia. A lovely gentle man, a devout Catholic, who served at Mass on Sundays in the church at Swanton Morley. He died in the 70s and there was an extensive obituary of him in the Eastern Daily Press. Seems that he was quite an ace fighter pilot during the Battle of Britain.
Do you have any information on him? I woould love to know more about his wartime service an history.
Nor directly connected to the earlier postings, but perhaps you can help. I had a good friend, Stan Brezetski, who was SATCO at Luqa in Malta late-60s/early 70s. Retired with heart problems in the 70s to East Anglia. A lovely gentle man, a devout Catholic, who served at Mass on Sundays in the church at Swanton Morley. He died in the 70s and there was an extensive obituary of him in the Eastern Daily Press. Seems that he was quite an ace fighter pilot during the Battle of Britain.
Do you have any information on him? I woould love to know more about his wartime service an history.
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Hello
Why not connected? Yes, it is most interesting.
The man you mention was Stanisław Brzeski, he was a fighter ace, indeed, starting to score during the Polish Campaign. He was then in France, and flew combat missions during te French Campaign, but did not achieve any victories. During the Battle of Britain he was attached to No 307 Squadron under formation and equipped with Defiants. Following amutiny, he and other fighter pilots were transfered, so he get to No 303 Sqn in the last weeks of October for operational training. He then flew mostly with 317 and 303 Sqns. Shot down at the end of the war, he returned to the UK, and following disbandement of the PAF, he joined RAF.
He even has a page on English Wiki.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanis%C5%82aw_Brzeski
Best wishes
Franek
Why not connected? Yes, it is most interesting.
The man you mention was Stanisław Brzeski, he was a fighter ace, indeed, starting to score during the Polish Campaign. He was then in France, and flew combat missions during te French Campaign, but did not achieve any victories. During the Battle of Britain he was attached to No 307 Squadron under formation and equipped with Defiants. Following amutiny, he and other fighter pilots were transfered, so he get to No 303 Sqn in the last weeks of October for operational training. He then flew mostly with 317 and 303 Sqns. Shot down at the end of the war, he returned to the UK, and following disbandement of the PAF, he joined RAF.
He even has a page on English Wiki.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanis%C5%82aw_Brzeski
Best wishes
Franek
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Franek,
Many thanks for the steer. Absolutely fascinating and I had abolutely no idea. He was, as I said, a quiet and gentle soul who never spoke of his earlier career but a good air trafficer.
Looking at post #89, Ican recognise Baron Baronowski, a prominent RAF athlete, a discus thrower, IIRC.
Ramraider
Many thanks for the steer. Absolutely fascinating and I had abolutely no idea. He was, as I said, a quiet and gentle soul who never spoke of his earlier career but a good air trafficer.
Looking at post #89, Ican recognise Baron Baronowski, a prominent RAF athlete, a discus thrower, IIRC.
Ramraider
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Ramraider
There are plenty of stories on Brzeski, though I would have to recall some of them. He was involved in shooting down a BOAC Liberator, which was mistook for a Condor.
Do you have any photos of him as an ATC by any chance?
I think somewhere in this or another thread on the forum Baranowski was mentioned a hammer thrower, bringing some trouble to him at one occassion.
Best wishes
Franek
There are plenty of stories on Brzeski, though I would have to recall some of them. He was involved in shooting down a BOAC Liberator, which was mistook for a Condor.
Do you have any photos of him as an ATC by any chance?
I think somewhere in this or another thread on the forum Baranowski was mentioned a hammer thrower, bringing some trouble to him at one occassion.
Best wishes
Franek
Now that's a reference a shingle short of a full quid. . . .. .. Danny, bless his socks, would at least fill in the gaps sufficient to come up with the guts of the rounded story .. .. the seemingly near complete anecdote. Rack them brains boys.
A Lib for a Condor? . .. .. that has to be a ball-tearer of an oops .. . "sh** oh dear" tale.
You keep hearing of the trigger happy Yanks around New Guinea and the Solomons who brought down more than one allied aircraft. (What a misnomer!! .. ."FRIENDLY FIRE". My school friend's father, Ted Young from Leeton or Yanko, lost both legs on the Kokoda Trail due to a ******** officer who ordered the squad behind Ted to open fire, with no conception of the likely consequences to those lying at the ready in the front line, so to speak.)
A Lib for a Condor? . .. .. that has to be a ball-tearer of an oops .. . "sh** oh dear" tale.
You keep hearing of the trigger happy Yanks around New Guinea and the Solomons who brought down more than one allied aircraft. (What a misnomer!! .. ."FRIENDLY FIRE". My school friend's father, Ted Young from Leeton or Yanko, lost both legs on the Kokoda Trail due to a ******** officer who ordered the squad behind Ted to open fire, with no conception of the likely consequences to those lying at the ready in the front line, so to speak.)
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At the time the incident occurred, Liberator was a new aircraft, not known to airmen. It was painted in unusual camouflage, and arrived unannounced, without IFF, taking a short cut over occupied France. Crew did not fire verey's of the day. Attacking pilots were confused, and send the aircraft down with one burst of fire.
As to blue on blue or friendly fire, American ones are best known, especially if they involved foreign aircraft (RAF, RAAF, RNZAF, SAAF) because they were considered international incidents. Nonetheless RAF downed quite a number of own aircraft, though it looks that several such incidents were either covered up or not identified as such. It becomes obvious only now, eg. Bader case.
As to blue on blue or friendly fire, American ones are best known, especially if they involved foreign aircraft (RAF, RAAF, RNZAF, SAAF) because they were considered international incidents. Nonetheless RAF downed quite a number of own aircraft, though it looks that several such incidents were either covered up or not identified as such. It becomes obvious only now, eg. Bader case.
Hullo Franek . . .. was not Douglas Bader, when he bailed out over the Channel, brought down by a 109?
By the way, have you ever heard of Henry Millicer, who won an international design competition in 1953, a design that became the Victa Airtourer, a popular aerobatic basic trainer?
Wiki -
Henry Millicer (1915-1996) was born in Warsaw, Poland, the son of Kazimierz Milicer, a university professor whose family was descended from Baron Karl von Militzer. An ardent Polish patriot, Henry developed an early interest in aviation. In 1924 he won an aeromodelling competition with the prize being a flight over Warsaw, his home city. At age 14 he built a full-size glider and at 17 qualified as a glider pilot. After receiving a degree in aeronautical engineering he worked as a junior designer in the National Aviation Works (Państwowe Zakłady Lotnicze) on the PZL.37 Łoś bomber project headed by Jerzy Dąbrowski and later for the RWD company on the RWD-25 low-wing, fixed-wheels fighter project. He was also a member of the Polish Air Force reserve and flew against the Germans at the outbreak of the Second World War, winning the Polish Air Force Cross. At the defeat of Poland in September 1939, he was given the responsibility of ferrying the presidential papers in a small plane to Romania, then escaped to France and England where he flew in a Polish bomber squadron in the Royal Air Force. He completed seventeen missions before being seriously wounded in a training exercise. He was awarded the Polish Military Medal for his service and became an interpreter between Polish, French and British pilots. In 1941 he married Warsaw-born Krystyna Paciorkowska, the daughter of the Polish politician Jerzy Paciorkowski.
By the way, have you ever heard of Henry Millicer, who won an international design competition in 1953, a design that became the Victa Airtourer, a popular aerobatic basic trainer?
Wiki -
Henry Millicer (1915-1996) was born in Warsaw, Poland, the son of Kazimierz Milicer, a university professor whose family was descended from Baron Karl von Militzer. An ardent Polish patriot, Henry developed an early interest in aviation. In 1924 he won an aeromodelling competition with the prize being a flight over Warsaw, his home city. At age 14 he built a full-size glider and at 17 qualified as a glider pilot. After receiving a degree in aeronautical engineering he worked as a junior designer in the National Aviation Works (Państwowe Zakłady Lotnicze) on the PZL.37 Łoś bomber project headed by Jerzy Dąbrowski and later for the RWD company on the RWD-25 low-wing, fixed-wheels fighter project. He was also a member of the Polish Air Force reserve and flew against the Germans at the outbreak of the Second World War, winning the Polish Air Force Cross. At the defeat of Poland in September 1939, he was given the responsibility of ferrying the presidential papers in a small plane to Romania, then escaped to France and England where he flew in a Polish bomber squadron in the Royal Air Force. He completed seventeen missions before being seriously wounded in a training exercise. He was awarded the Polish Military Medal for his service and became an interpreter between Polish, French and British pilots. In 1941 he married Warsaw-born Krystyna Paciorkowska, the daughter of the Polish politician Jerzy Paciorkowski.
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Hello
Reputedly Bader was downed by Buck Casson somewhere near St Omer in the summer of 1941, and I think two other Spitfires likely went down to friendly fire that day. Identification was a big problem, though obviously it was not discussed in public.
In regard of Milicer, yes, I have heard of him, and I recall an interview with him published in 1980s in a Polish aviation journal. As I recall he claimed that the aircraft was finished by unfair competition from Cessna, which offered dumping prices, and lack of the reaction of the Australian government, which did not introduce import taxes. I do not remember if he suggested corruption or not.
Reputedly Bader was downed by Buck Casson somewhere near St Omer in the summer of 1941, and I think two other Spitfires likely went down to friendly fire that day. Identification was a big problem, though obviously it was not discussed in public.
In regard of Milicer, yes, I have heard of him, and I recall an interview with him published in 1980s in a Polish aviation journal. As I recall he claimed that the aircraft was finished by unfair competition from Cessna, which offered dumping prices, and lack of the reaction of the Australian government, which did not introduce import taxes. I do not remember if he suggested corruption or not.