Notes – Polish Liberators over Raalte – English Version

Notes and References Part 1

  1. Starogard Gdański – a town situated on the Wierzyca River in the Pomeranian Voivodeship, referred to as a fortified settlement (Starigrod) as early as 1198. Today, Starogard Gdański is a county town with more than 48,000 inhabitants. It is also the capital of Kociewie, an ethnographic and cultural region located in the basin of the Wierzyca and Wda rivers in the eastern part of the Tuchola Forest, inhabited by approximately 300,000 people.
  2. Parish of St. Matthew, Liber baptizatorum 1893–1924, year 1916, item 15.
  3. E. K. Kowalkowscy, Rodzina Gusowskich, Gdańsk 1999, p. 11.
  4. Księga adresowa przemysłu, handlu i rzemiosła zachodniej Polski (Wielkopolska, Pomorze, Śląsk i W.M. Gdańsk), Poznań 1925, p. P95.
  5. E. K. Kowalkowscy, op. cit., pp. 11–25.
  6. E. K. Kowalkowscy, op. cit., pp. 11–12.
  7. E. Gusowski, oral testimony, Starogard Gdański, 15 February 2010.
  8. The Craft and Industrial School in Tczew was established in 1926. It was the first Polish private three-year vocational school in Pomerania. See: Józef Golicki, Album tczewski lata 1900–1945, szkolnictwo i gospodarka Tczewa, Tczew 2000.
  9. Hołd Ci składam moja Szkoło, ed. R. Kirszling, Tczew 1996, p. 52.
  10. E. K. Kowalkowscy, op. cit., pp. 11–16.
  11. Ministry of Defence, letter to the author’s wife, London, 10 August 1998.
  12. M. Kochanowski, Historia Aeroklubu Gdańskiego. Kronika 1929–1999, Gdańsk 1999, pp. 21–39.
  13. This refers to the airfield in Rumia-Zagórze, established in 1931 on the initiative of Polish students from the Faculty of Aviation at the Gdańsk University of Technology gathered in the Academic Aero Club of Gdańsk. In subsequent years, the Aero Club airfield was expanded and incorporated into regular passenger air traffic. See: M. Kochanowski, Historia Aeroklubu Gdańskiego. Kronika 1929–1999, Gdańsk 1999.
  14. S. Arciszewski, Tradycje lotnicze Kociewia, Tczew 2011, p. 16.
  15. M. Kochanowski, Historia…, op. cit., pp. 512–514.
  16. S. Arciszewski, Tradycje…, op. cit., pp. 17–25.
  17. E. Gusowski, oral testimony, Starogard Gdański, 15 February 2010.
  18. R. Szwoch, letter to the author, Starogard Gdański, 21 February 2011.
  19. J. Milewski, Kościół Świętego Wojciecha w Starogardzie Gdańskim (przyczynki do historii), Starogard Gdański 1991, p. 6.
  20. R. Szwoch, letter to the author, Starogard Gdański, 21 February 2011.
  21. B. Staniszewska, oral testimony, Barnimie, 26 May 2010.
  22. Military Service Record Card, Septfonds, 16 February 1940, photocopy of manuscript in the author’s collection, unpaginated.
  23. For more, see: T. Siczek, Doświadczyłem wszystkiego, Gdynia 2006.
  24. Military Service Record Card, op. cit.
  25. Central Military Archives in Warsaw, letter to Elżbieta Kowalkowska no. 665/K dated 24 July 2008, in the author’s collection.
  26. Military Service Record Card, op. cit., unpaginated.
  27. K. Bar, Zespoły akt szkół lotniczych, obrony przeciwlotniczej i przeciwgazowej, broni pancernych, saperów i łączności z lat 1908–1939, at: www.caw.wp.mil.pl/biuletyn
  28. The PZL-23 aircraft was developed in 1931–1932 and conceptually derived from the French school of “line aircraft,” capable of carrying out bombing attacks while simultaneously conducting reconnaissance missions. The crew consisted of a pilot, an observer, and a rear gunner. After the production of 40 aircraft, it was determined that a more powerful engine was required, enabling the aircraft to reach a speed of 319 km/h and carry 700 kg of bombs. The aircraft was equipped with one forward-firing wz. 33 machine gun, calibre 7.92 mm, and one Vickers F machine gun, calibre 7.7 mm, operated by the rear gunner. With the new engine, 210 aircraft were produced under the designation PZL-23B. Squadrons equipped with the “Karaś” aircraft were referred to as line squadrons. Export versions designated PZL-43A, fitted with even more powerful engines, were exported, among others, to Bulgaria. Two aircraft that had not yet been delivered to Bulgaria were incorporated into the 41st Squadron during combat operations to replace lost aircraft. PZL-23B aircraft evacuated to Romania were seized by the Romanian military and used in the war against the USSR. See: www.pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/
  29. W. Chrzanowski, Sprawozdanie z działalności eskadry w czasie wojny, Lyon-Bron, 27–28 September 1939, in: Archives of the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum, Archives Ref. No. LOT.A.II 26/7, pp. 3–5.
  30. Ł. Łydżba, “41. Eskadra Rozpoznawcza w 1939 roku,” part I, in: Militaria XX wieku, 03(36), 2010, pp. 15–18.
  31. W. Chrzanowski, op. cit., p. 6.
  32. K. Stanisławski, Lotnisko Mokotowskie w Warszawie, Warsaw 1981, p. 117.
  33. W. Chrzanowski, op. cit., pp. 1–7.
  34. Ł. Łydżba, “41…,” op. cit., part I, p. 14.
  35. 41 Esk. Książka lotów w czasie wojny, Archives of the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum, Archives Ref. No. LOT.A.II.26/1, manuscript, pp. 4–5.
  36. Ł. Łydżba, op. cit., part I, pp. 15–18.
  37. W. Chrzanowski, op. cit., p. 7.
  38. Ł. Łydżba, op. cit., part I, pp. 15–18.
  39. W. Chrzanowski, op. cit., pp. 8–9.
  40. J. Pawlak, Polskie eskadry w Wojnie Obronnej 1939, Warsaw 1982, p. 20.
  41. W. Chrzanowski, op. cit., pp. 5–11.
  42. Ł. Łydżba, op. cit., part I, pp. 20–21.
  43. 41 Esk. Książka lotów…, pp. 12–13.
  44. Situation Report of 7 September, Archives of the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum, Archives Ref. No. LOT.A.I.26/1, manuscript.
  45. A. Kubicki, letter to the author’s wife Elżbieta Kowalkowska, 22 May 2002. Elżbieta Kowalkowska is the daughter of Mieczysław Gusowski, Alojzy’s younger brother.
  46. Zestrzelenia Flak we wrześniu, www.dws.org.pl
  47. W. Chrzanowski, op. cit., p. 1.
  48. For more, see: http://kopernik.dw-inwest.com.pl
  49. A. Kubicki, letter to the author’s wife…
  50. 41 Esk. Książka lotów…, pp. 12–13.
  51. The photocopies of the logbooks held by the author cover flights conducted on 1–3, 6–8, and 10 September.
  52. Ł. Łydżba, op. cit., part II, pp. 5–6.
  53. 41 Esk. Książka lotów…, op. cit., pp. 16–17.
  54. M. Rogusz, e-mail to the author, 8 February 2011.
  55. 41 Esk. Książka lotów…, pp. 16–17.
  56. W. Chrzanowski, op. cit., pp. 15–19.
  57. Alojzy Gusowski, Military Service Record Card, Septfonds, 16 February 1940, manuscript in the author’s collection.
  58. Storożyniec (Storojinet) – a town in northern Romania, approximately 50 km east of Kuty.
  59. T. Dubicki, Wojsko Polskie w Rumunii w latach 1939–1941, Warsaw 1994, p. 63.
  60. W. Chrzanowski, op. cit., p. 17.
  61. A. Wancerz-Gluza, Rumuński Azyl, Warsaw 2005, p. 185.
  62. T. Dubicki, op. cit., p. 72.
  63. Tulcza (Tulcea) – a town in eastern Romania on the edge of the Danube Delta, approximately 80 km south-east of Galați.
  64. A. Wancerz-Gluza, op. cit., pp. 185–186.
  65. Military Service Record Card…
  66. Calafat – a town in south-western Romania on the Danube River, on the border with what was then Yugoslavia.
  67. T. Dubicki, op. cit., Warsaw 1994, p. 112.
  68. A. Wancerz-Gluza, op. cit., p. 24.
  69. Ibid., p. 79.
  70. Ibid., pp. 79–80.
  71. Military Service Record Card, op. cit.
  72. A. Gusowski, Wiersz…, op. cit.
  73. T. Dubicki, op. cit., pp. 196–215.
  74. Balcik (Balchik) – a town and port on the Black Sea (approximately 30 km east of Varna), today within the borders of Bulgaria in Dobrich Province.
  75. A. Gusowski, Wiersz…, op. cit.
  76. A. Wancerz-Gluza, op. cit., p. 86.
  77. Military Service Record Card, op. cit.
  78. A. Wancerz-Gluza, op. cit., pp. 101–102.
  79. T. Dubicki, op. cit., pp. 212–227.
  80. Ibid., p. 230.
  81. For more, see: H. Kwiatkowski, Bomby poszły, Warsaw 1982.
  82. W. Król, Walczyłem pod niebem Francji, Warsaw 1978, pp. 48–49.
  83. Military Service Record Card…
  84. W. Biegański, Wojsko Polskie we Francji 1939–1940, Warsaw 1967, p. 230.
  85. A. Zamoyski, Orły nad Europą, trans. Tomasz Kubikowski, 2nd ed., Kraków 2010, p. 95.
  86. Identity Card of Alojzy Gusowski, photocopy in the author’s collection.
  87. W. Biegański, Wojsko Polskie…, op. cit., p. 233.
  88. W. Król, op. cit., p. 40.
  89. A. Zamoyski, op. cit., p. 99.
  90. H. Kwiatkowski, Bomby poszły, Warsaw 1982, p. 29.
  91. St. Etienne – a town located approximately 40 km west of Lyon.
  92. A. Gusowski, Carnet Individuel, photocopy in the author’s collection.
  93. Ibid.
  94. K. Sikora, letter to the author, Kępno, 17 April 2010.
  95. W. Biegański, op. cit., p. 295.
  96. Ibid., p. 354.
  97. Gloucester – a town situated approximately 70 km west of London.
  98. West Freugh – a locality on the Galloway Peninsula in Scotland, on the Irish Sea.
  99. Ministry of Defence, letter to the author’s wife, London, 10 August 1998.
  100. Fairey Battle – the Fairey Battle was a three-seat bomber aircraft of all-metal construction with retractable landing gear. It was powered by a single inline piston engine. The aircraft was armed with only one fixed machine gun operated by the pilot. Between 1936 and 1940, a total of 2,185 Fairey Battle aircraft of all variants were produced. In Polish aviation, Fairey Battle aircraft were introduced into bomber squadrons 300, 301, 304, and 305. The first combat missions using these aircraft were carried out by the crews of squadrons 300 and 301. Combat flights on Fairey Battle aircraft continued until the end of October 1940 for squadrons 300 and 301, and until November 1940 for squadrons 304 and 305. For more, see: www.pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/
  101. A. Zamoyski, op. cit., pp. 235–237.
  102. Bramcote – a locality near Nuneaton in Warwickshire, in central England, within the Midlands region.
  103. Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum, Personal File Card no. 6/463 of Alojzy Gusowski.
  104. A. Zamoyski, Orły nad…, op. cit., p. 237.
  105. Ibid., p. 289.
  106. Ministry of Defence, letter to the author’s wife, London, 10 August 1998.
  107. A. Zamoyski, op. cit., pp. 132–133.
  108. S. Bungay, Bitwa o Anglię, Kraków 2010, p. 157.
  109. Dyon Bombowy Nr 305, Księga pamiątkowa, Archives of the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum, Ref. No. LOT.B.V/37/a, manuscript, unpaginated.
  110. J. Zieliński, 305 Dywizjon Bombowy Ziemi Wielkopolskiej i Lidzkiej im. Marszałka Józefa Piłsudskiego, Warsaw 2004, pp. 5–6.
  111. Vickers Wellington – a twin-engine bomber aircraft produced from 1937 in several variants differing primarily in engine type and armament. It was an aircraft of metal construction covered with fabric and equipped with retractable landing gear. Initially crewed by six, and later five personnel, the Wellington had a wingspan of 26.26 m, a length of 19.68 m, and a height of 5.33 m. The first operational version introduced into service was the Wellington Mk.IC, which was also initially flown by Polish squadrons. For more, see: www.wikipedia.org.pl/Vickers-Wellington
  112. Dyon Bombowy Nr 305, Księga…
  113. Syerston – a locality in Nottinghamshire. For more, see: www.pl.wikipedia.org/wiki.
  114. J. Zieliński, op. cit., pp. 5–6.
  115. Ibid., pp. 9–10.
  116. K. Mroczkowski, A. Olejko, Nocnych lotów świadectwa, Kraków 2011, p. 216.
  117. The Vickers Wellington Mk II was the next type flown by No. 305 Squadron. The aircraft was fitted with Rolls-Royce “Merlin X” inline engines. Its armament consisted of Browning machine guns, calibre 7.92 mm, two each in the front and rear turrets and in the trapezoidal windows at the rear of the fuselage on both sides. The aircraft could carry a maximum of 2,041 kg of bombs in the bomb bay, or one bomb weighing 1,814.36 kg. For more, see: www.wikipedia.org.pl/Vickers-Wellington.
  118. J. Zieliński, op. cit., p. 15.
  119. Dyon Bombowy Nr 305, Księga…
  120. Lindholme – a locality in South Yorkshire. For more, see: www.pl.wikipedia.org/wiki.
  121. Dyon Bombowy Nr 305, Dziennik Bojowy, Archives of the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum, Ref. No. LOT.A.V/37/8A, manuscript, unpaginated.
  122. Dyon Bombowy nr 305 Operation Record Book, Archives of the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum, Ref. No. LOT.A.V/37/8A, typescript, p. 82.
  123. J. Zieliński, op. cit., p. 15.
  124. Ministry of Defence, letter to the author’s wife, London, 10 August 1998.
  125. J. Zieliński, op. cit., p. 18.
  126. Dyon Bombowy nr 305 Operation Record Book, Archives of the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum, Ref. No. LOT.A.V/37/8A, typescript.
  127. J. Zieliński, op. cit., p. 68.
  128. “Wafki” was the colloquial name used for women serving in the English organisation Women’s Auxiliary Air Force — WAAF, the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force.
  129. A. Zamoyski, op. cit., pp. 237–243.
  130. Ministry of Defence, letter to the author’s wife, London, 10 August 1998.
  131. Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum, Personal File Card of Alojzy Gusowski, 6/463.
  132. This surname was written in various sources as either Molata or Mołata. English documents use the spelling Molata, whereas the Polish certificate confirming the right to wear the Virtuti Militari cross gives the name Ludwik Mołata; see: K. Mroczkowski, A. Olejko, Nocnych lotów Świadectwa, Kraków 2011, p. 273. This is probably the correct spelling of the surname, and it will therefore be used in the remainder of the book.
  133. Dyon Bombowy nr 305 Operation…, op. cit., typescript, pp. 108–113.
  134. J. Zieliński, op. cit., p. 17.
  135. Dyon Bombowy nr 305 Operation…, op. cit., p. 115.
  136. Loty bojowe – kpt. naw. Mieczysław Gorzeński, www.polishairforce.pl.
  137. Dyon Bombowy nr 305 Operation…, op. cit., p. 116.
  138. www.polishairforce.pl/dyw.305 straty.html
  139. Dyon Bombowy nr 305 Operation…, op. cit., pp. 117–118.
  140. Dyon Bombowy nr 305 Operation…, op. cit., p. 119.
  141. J. Zieliński, op. cit., p. 19.
  142. Dyon Bombowy nr 305 Operation…, op. cit., p. 124.
  143. Dyon Bombowy nr 305 Operation…, op. cit., p. 124.
  144. Ministry of Defence, letter to the author’s wife, London, 10 August 1998.
  145. J. Zieliński, op. cit., p. 18.
  146. Dyon Bombowy nr 305 Operation…, op. cit., p. 125.
  147. Swanton Morley – a village in Norfolk, approximately 150 km north of London. Until December 1941, Swanton Morley airfield was home to No. 105 Bomber Squadron, flying Blenheim aircraft. For more, see: www.pl.wikipedia.org/wiki.
  148. P. Bishop, Chłopcy z bombowców, Poznań 2010, pp. 121–122.
  149. 1942 Dziennik Dyonu, Archives of the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum, Ref. No. LOT.A.V/37/8B, manuscript, unpaginated.
  150. Dyon Bombowy nr 305 Operation…, op. cit., pp. 128–137.
  151. A. Zamoyski, Orły nad…, op. cit., p. 243.
  152. J. Zieliński, op. cit., pp. 19–20.
  153. A. Zamoyski, op. cit., pp. 254–255.
  154. Dyon Bombowy nr 305 Operation…, pp. 132–134.
  155. A. Zamoyski, op. cit., p. 257.
  156. www.polishairforce.pl
  157. Dyon Bombowy nr 305 Operation…, pp. 149–158.
  158. www.polishairforce.pl/dyw.305 straty.html
  159. Dywizjon Bombowy 305, Dziennik Bojowy, manuscript, unpaginated.
  160. Dyon Bombowy nr 305 Operation…, op. cit., pp. 165–166.
  161. Ibid., pp. 164–167.
  162. Dywizjon Bombowy 305, Dziennik Bojowy.
  163. Dyon Bombowy nr 305 Operation…, op. cit., p. 164.
  164. www.polishairforce.pl/dyw.305 straty.html
  165. P. Bishop, Chłopcy z bombowców, Poznań 2010, p. 136.
  166. Dyon Bombowy nr 305 Operation…, op. cit., pp. 169–177.
  167. For more information on Lt. Col. Stanisław Skarżyński, see the chapter “Członkowie załogi Nany.”
  168. www.polishairforce.pl/skarżyński.html
  169. Dyon Bombowy nr 305 Operation…, op. cit., p. 184.
  170. 305 Dywizjon Bombowy, Dziennik Bojowy.
  171. “Polskie Dywizjony Bombowe w Wielkiej Brytanii obchodzą święto walki,” Polska Walcząca – Żołnierz Polski na Obczyźnie, 1942, no. 19, p. 5.
  172. J. Zieliński, 305 Dywizjon…, op. cit., p. 11.
  173. Dyon Bombowy nr 305 Operation…, op. cit., p. 179.
  174. The abbreviation “lb” denotes the English unit of weight, the pound; 1 lb is approximately 0.45 kg, which means that the aircraft carried to the target a bomb weighing approximately 1,800 kg. From the description of the flight preparations quoted later, it appears that only this aircraft carried one large bomb of precisely this weight. “ft,” or foot, is an English unit of length equal to 0.3048 m, meaning that at the moment the bombs were dropped the aircraft was at an altitude of 4,572 m.
  175. 305 Dywizjon Bombowy, Dziennik Bojowy, manuscript, unpaginated.
  176. Ministry of Defence, letter to the author’s wife, London, 10 August 1998.
  177. Dyon Bombowy nr 305 Operation…, op. cit., p. 185.
  178. 305 Dywizjon Bombowy, Dziennik Bojowy.
  179. K. Mroczkowski, A. Olejko, Nocnych lotów świadectwa, Kraków 2011, pp. 291–292.
  180. Ibid.
  181. Dyon Bombowy nr 305 Operation…, op. cit., p. 180.
  182. www.mysliwcy.pl/forum/watki.php
  183. H. Kwiatkowski, Bomby poszły, Warsaw 1982, p. 113.
  184. Dyon Bombowy nr 305 Operation…, op. cit., p. 180.
  185. Ibid., p. 186.
  186. R. Woolderink, Raalte…, op. cit., p. 51.
  187. Dyon Bombowy…, op. cit., pp. 187–188.
  188. www.polishairforce.pl/dyw.305 straty.html
  189. Dyon Bombowy nr 305 Operation…, op. cit., p. 188.
  190. Księga lotów, photocopies of three cards in the author’s collection.
  191. Dyon Bombowy nr 305 Operation…, op. cit., p. 189.
  192. Księga lotów, photocopies of three cards in the author’s collection.
  193. Samoloty Dywizjonu 305, miniREPLIKA, no. 50 (5/2006), Kępno 2006, p. 3.
  194. Straty personelu 305 Dywizjonu Bombowego w lotach bojowych i treningowych, in: http://pspbis.fim.interia.pl
  195. A. R. Janczak, letter to the author’s wife, Warsaw, 18 January 1998, p. 3.
  196. J. Szwarc, e-mail to the author, 14 April 2012.
  197. Cz. Kubik, “Ostatni lot ‘Nany’,” Kulisy, no. 7 (1043), 13 February 1977, p. 7.
  198. A. Zamoyski, op. cit., pp. 244–245.
  199. K. Mroczkowski, A. Olejko, Nocnych…, op. cit., p. 71.
  200. Dyon Bombowy nr 305 Operation…, op. cit., pp. 190–191.
  201. K. Mroczkowski, A. Olejko, op. cit., p. 126.
  202. Dyon Bombowy nr 305 Operation…, op. cit., pp. 190–191.
  203. W. Zmyślony, letter…, op. cit.
  204. A. Zamoyski, op. cit., p. 260.
  205. P. Gawlikowski, “Dywan nad Hamburgiem,” Batalie największej z wojen, no. 29, Rzeczypospolita, 26 September 2009, p. 8.
  206. K. Mroczkowski, op. cit., p. 292.
  207. The following text is the account of Lt. Mieczysław Jonikas, at that time a pilot in No. 305 “Ziemi Wielkopolskiej” Bomber Squadron, describing the bombing raid on Cologne during the night of 30–31 May 1942. The text was written down approximately 25 years after the war and published on www.polishairforce.pl.
  208. P. Bishop, op. cit., p. 140.
  209. Dyon Bombowy nr 305 Operation…, p. 198.
  210. 305 Dywizjon Bombowy, Dziennik Bojowy.
  211. Dyon Bombowy nr 305 Operation…, pp. 198–199.
  212. Ibid., p. 201.
  213. H. Kwiatkowski, op. cit., p. 175.
  214. For more, see: www.naval-history.net.
  215. Księga lotów, photocopies of three cards in the author’s collection.
  216. Robert Beill was commander of No. 305 Squadron until 21 June 1942. He was succeeded in this position by S/Ldr Kazimierz Śniegula.
  217. K. Mroczkowski, A. Olejko, Nocnych…, op. cit., pp. 291–292.
  218. Dyon Bombowy nr 305 Operation…, op. cit., p. 205.
  219. Księga lotów, photocopies of three cards in the author’s collection.
  220. H. Kwiatkowski, op. cit., p. 86.
  221. Cz. Kubik, op. cit., p. 7.
  222. A. R. Janczak, letter to the author’s wife, Warsaw, 18 January 1998, p. 3.
  223. G. J. Zwanenburg, Koninklijke Luchtmacht, Commando Logistiek en Opeidingen, 10 June 1976, copy from the collection of Jerzy Szwarc.
  224. W. Zmyślony, letter…
  225. The Dutch text was translated by Elżbieta Wassing, a permanent resident of the Netherlands, to whom I once again express my sincere thanks here.
  226. R. Woolderink, op. cit., pp. 50–51, translated by Elżbieta Wassing.
  227. R. Woolderink, letter to Eugenia Jankiewicz-Steniczkowa, Doetinchem, 12 May 1985, translated by Zofia Sass.
  228. R. Woolderink, Raalte…, op. cit., pp. 86–87. It is worth adding that in Schoonheeten, toward the end of the war, the Germans built a V-1 rocket launch site. The first rocket launch from this site took place on 16 December 1944, and the last on 15 March 1945. Concrete remains of the launch position can still be found there today.
  229. Ibid., p. 51.
  230. Ibid., p. 57.
  231. S. Bungay, Bitwa o Anglię, Kraków 2010, p. 542.
  232. R. Woolderink, op. cit., pp. 52–53.
  233. Rehabilitation protocol, Archives of the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum, Archives ARIB/P.10/47, manuscript.
  234. R. Woolderink, op. cit., pp. 52–53.
  235. R. Woolderink, e-mail to the author, 15 June 2012.
  236. R. Woolderink, op. cit., pp. 52–55.
  237. A. R. Janczak, Cel na dzisiejszą noc, Warsaw 1985, pp. 4–6.
  238. Dyon Bombowy Nr 305, Księga…
  239. M. Skarżyński, e-mail to the author, 15 July 2012.
  240. P. Gawlikowski, “Dywan nad Hamburgiem…,” op. cit., p. 8.
  241. S. Bungay, Bitwa o…, op. cit., p. 686.
  242. R. Woolderink, e-mail to the author, Raalte, 12 May 2012.
  243. Valhalla – in Germanic mythology, the paradise of warriors fallen in battle.
  244. H. A. Visser, Toen Gistern nog H.A. Visser Vandaag was 55 jaar predikantschap, text translated by Elżbieta Wassing and Małgorzata Drobnik.
  245. Mededeelingen van den Kerkeraad der Nen. Herv. Gemeente Raalte, Wat er Geseurde, no. 13, Raalte, 4 July 1942, text translated by Elżbieta Wassing.
  246. Ministry of Defence, letter to the author’s wife, London, 10 August 1998.
  247. Dyon Bombowy nr 305 Operation Record Book.
  248. M. J. Hasiński-Adam, Szkoła Podoficerów lotnictwa dla Małoletnich, London 1981, p. 18.
  249. Dyon Bombowy nr 305 Operation…, pp. 187–205.
  250. R. Woolderink, op. cit., p. 51.
  251. A. R. Janczak, letter to the author’s wife, Warsaw, 18 January 1998.
  252. K. Ardelli, File Card, Archives of the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum, Archives Ref. No. LOT.A.IV/32/a/19, manuscript.
  253. M. J. Hasiński-Adam, op. cit., p. 18.
  254. H. Jankiewicz, Registration Notebook, Archives of the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum, Archives Ref. No. LOT.A.IV/32/a/19, manuscript, unpaginated.
  255. J. Szwarc, e-mail to the author, 16 April 2012.
  256. S. Szwarc, letter to Mieczysław Gusowski, Katowice, 21 June 1997.
  257. R XIII F – the Lublin R-XIII was a training aircraft introduced into service in 1933. The R-XIII F version was built in 1935.
  258. Czapla – the RWD-14, which, owing to its production at the Lublin Aircraft Works, was designated LWS “Czapla”; an observation and liaison aircraft introduced into service in 1939.
  259. H. Jankiewicz, Registration Notebook.
  260. The RWD-8 was a two-seat training aircraft, the first examples of which, intended for aero clubs, were produced in 1933. In 1934, after modifications had been introduced, the RWD-8 was selected as the standard military training aircraft and for air-related military preparation. By 1939, a total of 600 examples had been produced for Polish aviation and aero clubs.
  261. J. Pawlak, op. cit., p. 243.
  262. J. Szwarc, Zapiski Stanisławy Szwarc, e-mail to the author, Tychy, 6 May 2012.
  263. Ibid.
  264. Ministry of Defence Army Records Centre, letter to Eugenia Steniczka, Middlesex, 30 August 1978.
  265. J. Szwarc, Zapiski Stanisławy Szwarc, e-mail to the author, 6 May 2012.
  266. Ministry of Defence Army Records Centre, letter to Eugenia Steniczka, Middlesex, 30 August 1978.
  267. Dyon Bombowy nr 305 Operation…, op. cit., pp. 187–205.
  268. J. Szwarc, Zapiski Stanisławy Szwarc, e-mail to the author, Tychy, 6 May 2012.
  269. R. Woolderink, op. cit., pp. 50–51, translated by Elżbieta Wassing.
  270. Ministry of Defence Army Records Centre, letter to Eugenia Steniczka, Middlesex, 30 August 1978.
  271. M. Kubik, e-mail to the author, 21 July 2012.
  272. Personal files, Archives of the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum, manuscript.
  273. File Card, Archives of the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum, Archives Ref. No. LOT.A.IV/32/a/19, manuscript.
  274. Dyon Bombowy nr 305 Operation…, op. cit., pp. 187–205.
  275. A. R. Janczak, letter to the author’s wife, Warsaw, 18 January 1998.
  276. R. Woolderink, op. cit., p. 51.
  277. Cz. Kubik, op. cit., p. 7.
  278. Rehabilitation protocol, Archives of the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum, Archives ARIB/P.10/47, manuscript.
  279. Nowa encyklopedia powszechna PWN, vol. VIII, Warsaw 2004, p. 880.
  280. N. Madejczyk, Stefan Bolesław Madejczyk 1945–1992, England, 24 July 2012, typescript, unpaginated.
  281. For more, see the website of the Museum of Prisoner-of-War Camps in Żagań: www.muzeum.eline2.serwery.pl.
  282. R. Woolderink, op. cit., p. 51.
  283. N. Madejczyk, Stefan Bolesław Madejczyk 1945–1992.
  284. Personal files, Archives of the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum, manuscript.
  285. N. Madejczyk, Stefan Bolesław Madejczyk 1945–1992.
  286. “Poolse oorlogsvlieger kwam na 34 jaar terug in Raalte,” in: Dagblt woor Salland, 19 October 1976, translated by Elżbieta Wassing.
  287. R. Woolderink, op. cit., pp. 52–55.
  288. N. Madejczyk, Stefan Bolesław Madejczyk 1945–1992.
  289. A. R. Janczak, letter to…, op. cit., p. 3.
  290. Card no. 22/173, Archives of the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum, manuscript.
  291. Dyon Bombowy nr 305 Operation…, pp. 187–205.
  292. R. Woolderink, op. cit., p. 51.
  293. M. Skarżyński, e-mail to the author, 16 July 2012.
  294. The biography was written on the basis of J. R. Konieczny and T. Malinowski, Mała encyklopedia lotników polskich, Warsaw 1983, pp. 155–164; information supplied by Maciej Skarżyński, son of Col. Skarżyński; and the websites www.wikipedia.org, www.polishairforce.pl, and www.info.kalisz.pl.
  295. Programme of the ceremony, typescript in the author’s collection.
  296. R. Woolderink, op. cit., pp. 52–55.
  297. “Stefan Madejczyk kreeg na 44 jaar vliegerscap terug,” in: Het Sallands Weekblad, no. 48, 27 November 1986.
  298. H. Kwiatkowski, op. cit., pp. 89–90.
  299. R. Woalderink, e-mail to the author, 14 June 2012.
  300. The material was written on the basis of the website www.raalte.nl, translated by Elżbieta Kowalkowska; information sent by Elżbieta Wassing; and the author’s observations in Raalte.
  301. A. Wassing, oral testimony, Raalte, 30 May 2010.
  302. R. Woolderink, op. cit., p. 178.
  303. A. Wassing, oral testimony, Raalte, 30 May 2010.
  304. Information board at the cemetery in Holten.
  305. R. Woolderink, op. cit., p. 178.
  306. Ibid., pp. 56–83.
  307. One additional pilot from the crew was killed and was buried in the town of Dalfsen. The remaining members of the crew survived.
  308. For more, see: K. Kowalkowski, “Ród Kowalkowskich z Malenina w Parafii Miłobądz,” in: Nasze korzenie, Gdańsk 2010, pp. 97–98.
  309. Summary according to Dyon Bombowy nr 305 Operation Record Book, Archives of the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum, Ref. No. LOT.A.V/37/8A, typescript.
  310. A. Gusowski, Wiersz-wspomnienie, manuscript preserved in the author’s collection.
  311. Krajowa (Craiova) – a city in southern Romania, administrative centre of Dolj County.
  312. In a footnote to this poem, published in the annual of the Kociewie region, RYDWAN, Piotr Szubarczyk wrote the following about it: “An unquestionable literary talent. A regular octave, a regular ten-syllable line, with a caesura after the fifth syllable, regular rhyme, and motifs of exile and travel known from Polish Romantic poetry; in addition, the sacred Cause, known from nineteenth-century Polish literature, returning during the occupation in poetic works and Tyrtaean texts. All this testifies to the author’s high personal and spiritual culture and his undoubted breadth of reading.” RYDWAN, no. 6/2011, Starogard Gdański 2011, p. 64.
  313. Januariusz J. Krosnowski, Lotnikom w hołdzie, Antologia poezji i prozy lotniczej, London 1998, p. 99.
  314. Cz. Kubik, “Ostatni lot ‘Nany’,” [in:] Kulisy, no. 7 (1043), 13 February 1977.
  315. Mieczysław Gusowski was the father of Elżbieta, the wife of the author of this book. He was born on 21 April 1926 in Starogard and died on 8 November 1977 in Gdańsk, a few months after writing this letter. The draft of the letter is held in the author’s collection.
  316. A. Janczak, Cel na dzisiejszą noc, Warsaw 1985.
  317. K. Kowalkowski, “Związali życie ze Starogardem,” Dziennik Kociewski, Dziennik Bałtycki, Gdańsk, 5 March 1999.
  318. E. K. Kowalkowscy, Rodzina Gusowskich/Guzowskich, Gdańsk 1999.
  319. K. Kowalkowski, “Alojzy Paweł Gusowski (1916–1942),” Gazeta Kociewska, no. 19/841, 10 May 2006; no. 20/842, 17 May 2006.
  320. www.polishairforce.pl
  321. Rydwan, Roczniki Muzealne, no. 6/2011, Starogard Gdański 2011, pp. 57–77.

Sources and Literature

Archives of the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum

  1. 41 Esk. Książka lotów w czasie wojny, Ref. No. LOT.A.II.26/1.
  2. 1942 Dziennik Dyonu, Ref. No. LOT.A.V/37/8B, manuscript, unpaginated.
  3. Kazimierz Ardelli, File Card, Ref. No. LOT.A.IV/32/a/19, manuscript.
  4. Władysław Chrzanowski, Sprawozdanie z działalności eskadry w czasie wojny, Lyon-Bron, 27–28 September 1939, Ref. No. LOT.A.II.26/1.
  5. Dyon Bombowy Nr 305, Księga pamiątkowa, Archives of the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum, Ref. No. LOT.B.V/37/a, manuscript, unpaginated.
  6. Dyon Bombowy Nr 305, Operations Record Book, Ref. No. LOT.A.V/37/8A, manuscript, unpaginated.
  7. Alojzy Paweł Gusowski, Personal File Card 6/463.
  8. Henryk Jankiewicz, Registration Notebook, Ref. No. LOT.A.IV/32/a/19, manuscript, unpaginated.

Manuscript Sources

  1. Central Military Archives in Warsaw, letter to Elżbieta Kowalkowska no. 665/K, dated 24 July 2008, in the author’s collection.
  2. Identity Card, photocopy in the author’s collection.
  3. Alojzy Gusowski, Wiersz-wspomnienie, manuscript in the author’s collection.
  4. Alojzy Gusowski, Carnet Individuel, photocopy in the author’s collection.
  5. Mieczysław Gusowski, letter to Czesław Kubik, photocopy in the author’s collection, Gdańsk 1977.
  6. Andrzej R. Janczak, letter to the author’s wife, Warsaw, 18 January 1998, in the author’s collection.
  7. Alojzy Gusowski, Military Service Record Card, Septfonds, 16 February 1940, copy of manuscript in the author’s collection.
  8. Andrzej Kubicki, letter to the author’s wife, 22 May 2002, in the author’s collection.
  9. Monika Kubik, e-mail to the author, Warsaw, 21 July 2012.
  10. Księga lotów, photocopies of three pages recording training flights by Alojzy Gusowski, in the author’s collection.
  11. Maciej Skarżyński, e-mails to the author, England, July 2012.
  12. Ministry of Defence, letter to the author’s wife, London, 10 August 1998, in the author’s collection.
  13. Polish Air Force Association in Great Britain, letter to the author, 5 March 1998, in the author’s collection.
  14. Marek Rogusz, e-mail to the author, 8 February 2011.
  15. Krzysztof Sikora, letter to the author, Kępno, 17 April 2010, in the author’s collection.
  16. Jerzy Szwarc, e-mails to the author, Tychy, 2012.
  17. Ryszard Szwoch, letter to the author, Starogard Gdański, 21 February 2011.
  18. Richard Woolderink, letter to Eugenia Jankiewicz-Steniczkowa, Doetinchem, 12 May 1985, translated by Zofia Sass.
  19. Richard Wolderink, e-mails to the author, Raalte, 24 April–2 July 2012.
  20. Wojciech Zmyślony, letter to the author, in the author’s collection.
  21. G. J. Zwanenburg, Koninklijke Luchtmacht, Commando Logistiek en Opeidingen, 10 June 1976, copy from the collection of Jerzy Szwarc.

Printed Sources and Literature

  1. Antologia poezji i prozy lotniczej, London 1988, 2nd ed.
  2. Stanisław Arciszewski, Tradycje lotnicze Kociewia, Tczew 2011.
  3. Kazimierz Bar, Zespoły akt szkół lotniczych, obrony przeciwlotniczej i przeciwgazowej, broni pancernych, saperów i łączności z lat 1908–1939, at: www.caw.wp.mil.pl/biuletyn.
  4. Witold Biegański, Wojsko Polskie we Francji 1939–1940, Warsaw 1967.
  5. Patrick Bishop, Chłopcy z bombowców, Poznań 2010.
  6. Stephen Bungay, Bitwa o Anglię, trans. Jan Wąsiński, Kraków 2010.
  7. Tadeusz Dubicki, Wojsko Polskie w Rumunii w latach 1939–1941, Warsaw 1994.
  8. Józef Golicki, Album tczewski lata 1900–1945, szkolnictwo i gospodarka Tczewa, Tczew 2000.
  9. Mieczysław J. Hasiński-Adam, Szkoła Podoficerów lotnictwa dla Małoletnich, London 1981.
  10. Hołd Ci składam moja Szkoło. Siedemdziesiąt lat Zespołu Szkół Zawodowych Nr 1 w Tczewie, ed. R. Kirszling, Tczew 1996.
  11. Andrzej R. Janczak, Cel na dzisiejszą noc, Warsaw 1985.
  12. Zbigniew Jara, Przyczynek do historii 1939–1945, Wrocław 2008.
  13. Marek Kochanowski, Historia Aeroklubu Gdańskiego. Kronika 1929–1999, Gdańsk 1999.
  14. Jerzy R. Konieczny, Tadeusz Malinowski, Mała encyklopedia lotników polskich, Warsaw 1983.
  15. Elżbieta and Krzysztof Kowalkowscy, Rodzina Gusowskich, Gdańsk 1999.
  16. Krzysztof Kowalkowski, “Ród Kowalkowskich z Malenina w Parafii Miłobądz,” in: Nasze korzenie, Gdańsk 2010.
  17. Wacław Król, Walczyłem pod niebem Francji, Warsaw 1978.
  18. Księga adresowa przemysłu, handlu i rzemiosła zachodniej Polski (Wielkopolska, Pomorze, Śląsk i W.M. Gdańsk), Poznań 1925.
  19. Hubert Kazimierz Kujawa, Księga lotników Polskich poległych, zmarłych i zaginionych w latach 1939–1946, vol. I, at: www.marszalek.com.pl.
  20. Józef Milewski, Kościół Świętego Wojciecha w Starogardzie Gdańskim (przyczynki do historii), Starogard Gdański 1991.
  21. Henryk Kwiatkowski, Bomby poszły, Warsaw 1982.
  22. Janusz Meissner, Wspomnienia pilota, Kraków 1985.
  23. Krzysztof Mroczkowski, Andrzej Olejko, Nocnych lotów Świadectwa, Kraków 2011.
  24. Nowa encyklopedia powszechna PWN, vol. 8, Warsaw 2004.
  25. Jerzy Pawlak, Polskie eskadry w Wojnie Obronnej 1939, Warsaw 1982.
  26. Marek Rogusz, Marian R. Sawicki, Zielonka, zapomniane lotnisko września 1939, Sandomierz 2009.
  27. Rydwan, Roczniki Muzealne, no. 6/2011, Starogard Gdański 2011.
  28. Samoloty Dywizjonu 305, in: miniREPLIKA, no. 50 (5/2006), Kępno 2006.
  29. Kazimierz Sławiński, Rozpoznać wroga z północy, Warsaw 1979.
  30. Kazimierz Sławiński, Lotnisko Mokotowskie w Warszawie, Warsaw 1981.
  31. Tadeusz Spiczak, Doświadczyłem wszystkiego, Gdynia 2006.
  32. Alicja Wancerz-Gluza, Rumuński Azyl, Warsaw 2009.
  33. Richard Woolderink, Raalte in oorlogstijd, 1st ed., Doetinchem 1986.
  34. Adam Zamoyski, Orły nad Europą, trans. Tomasz Kubikowski, 2nd ed., Kraków 2010.
  35. Józef Zieliński, 305 Dywizjon Bombowy Ziemi Wielkopolskiej i Lidzkiej im. Marszałka Józefa Piłsudskiego, Warsaw 2004.

Press

  1. Piotr Gawlikowski, “Dywan nad Hamburgiem,” Batalie największej z wojen, no. 29, in: Rzeczypospolita, 26 September 2009.
  2. Czesław Kubik, “Ostatni lot ‘Nany’,” in: Kulisy, no. 7 (1043), 13 February 1977.
  3. “Wat er Geseurde,” in: Mededeelingen van den Kerkeraad der Nen. Herv. Gemeente Raalte, no. 13, Raalte, 4 July 1942.
  4. Łukasz Łydżba, “41. Eskadra Rozpoznawcza w 1939 roku,” part I, in: Militaria XX wieku, 03(36), 2010.
  5. Łukasz Łydżba, “41. Eskadra Rozpoznawcza w 1939 roku,” part II, in: Militaria XX wieku, 04(37), 2010.
  6. Lechosław Musiałkowski, “Samoloty Dywizjonu 305,” in: Mini REPLIKA, no. 50, Kępno, 22 October 2006.
  7. Lechosław Musiałkowski, “Ostatni lot ‘Nany’,” in: Lotnictwo z szachownicą, no. 44 (2/2012), Wrocław, May 2012.
  8. “Poolse oorlegs-vlieger kwam na 34 jaarteru In Raalte,” in: Salladnds, Dagblad voor Salland, Raalte, 19 October 1976.
  9. “Stefan Madejczyk kreeg na 44 jaar vliegerscap terug,” in: Het Sallands Weekblad, no. 48, Raalte, 27 November 1986.

Testimonies

  1. Edward Gusowski, oral testimony, Starogard Gdański, 15 February 2010.
  2. Barbara Staniszewska, oral testimony, Barnimie, 26 May 2010.
  3. Appie Wassing, oral testimony, Raalte, Netherlands, 30 May 2010.

Websites

  1. www.caw.wp.mil.pl/biuletyn
  2. www.dws.org.pl
  3. www.forum.spotter.pl
  4. www.info.kalisz.pl
  5. www.kopernik.dw-inwest.com.pl
  6. www.marszalek.com.pl
  7. www.muzeum.eline2.serwery.pl
  8. www.mysliwcy.pl/forum/watki.php
  9. www.naval-history.net
  10. www.pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/
  11. www.polishairforce.pl
  12. www.samolotypolskie.pl
  13. www.tur-info.pl
  14. www.wwii.pl
  15. www.niebieskaeskadra.pl

Part 2

  1. The spelling of aircraft names follows the rules set out in Nowy słownik ortograficzny PWN, ed. E. Polański, Warsaw 1996 and subsequent editions, as well as its online version, Sjp.pwn.pl, points 18.31 and 20.10.1. Thus, the make or type is written with a capital letter, e.g. Wellington, whereas a specific individual aircraft is written with a lowercase letter, e.g. “wellington.” To make clear that the name refers to an object, quotation marks are added (ed.).
  2. For more, see: K. Kowalkowski, Alojzy Paweł Gusowski pilot 305 Dywizjonu Bombowego, Gdańsk 2012.
  3. M. Kubik, e-mail to Krzysztof Kowalkowski, 21 July 2012.
  4. Czesław Witoszyński (1875–1948), mechanical engineer, machine designer, professor of aerodynamics, associated with Warsaw University of Technology from 1915; website: Pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czesław_Witoszyński.
  5. S. Madejczyk, Wspomnienia, England 1982, manuscript, unpaginated, family collection of Nicholas Madejczyk.
  6. M. Kubik, e-mail to Krzysztof Kowalkowski, 21 July 2012.
  7. S. Madejczyk, Permit no. 44830, family collection of Nicholas Madejczyk.
  8. Officer’s Commission no. 4/1938 of 22 September 1938, family collection of Nicholas Madejczyk.
  9. S. Madejczyk, Wspomnienia…
  10. OTU – Operational Training Unit, Polish: Ośrodek Szkolenia Bojowego.
  11. Bristol Blenheim – a British twin-engine light bomber.
  12. MBE – Member of the Order of the British Empire, the fifth class of the order, abbreviated MBE.
  13. S. Madejczyk, Wspomnienia…
  14. Archives of the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum in London [hereafter: AIP London], Stefan Madejczyk, Personal Files, ref. no. LOT.A.IV/32/a/19.
  15. S. Madejczyk, Wspomnienia…
  16. For more, see: J. Zieliński, 305 Dywizjon Bombowy Ziemi Wielkopolskiej i Lidzkiej im. Marszałka Józefa Piłsudskiego, Warsaw 2004.
  17. Here and below, omissions in quotations and additions in square brackets are by Krzysztof Kowalkowski.
  18. AIP London, 305 Dywizjon Bombowy, Dziennik bojowy 23.11.1941–15.04.1943, ref. no. LOT.A.V/37/8B, manuscript, unpaginated.
  19. AIP London, Dyon Bombowy nr 305, Operations Record Book, ref. no. LOT.A.V/37/11, typescript, unpaginated.
  20. The Vickers Wellington Mk II was the next type flown by No. 305 Squadron. The aircraft was fitted with Rolls-Royce “Merlin X” inline engines. Its armament consisted of Browning machine guns, calibre 7.92 mm, two each in the front and rear turrets and in the trapezoidal windows at the rear of the fuselage on both sides. The aircraft could carry a maximum of 2,041 kg of bombs in the bomb bay, or one bomb weighing 1,814.36 kg. For more, see: Wikipedia.org.pl/Vickers-Wellington.
  21. For more, see the website: Polishairforce.pl/skarzyński.html.
  22. AIP London, 305 Dywizjon Bombowy, Dziennik bojowy…
  23. AIP London, Dyon Bombowy nr 305…
  24. J. Zieliński, 305 Dywizjon Bombowy…, p. 25.
  25. For more on the crew members, see: K. Kowalkowski, Alojzy Paweł Gusowski…, pp. 71–82.
  26. AIP London, 305 Dywizjon Bombowy, Dziennik bojowy…
  27. AIP London, Dyon Bombowy nr 305…
  28. AIP London, 305 Dywizjon Bombowy, Dziennik bojowy…
  29. AIP London, Dyon Bombowy nr 305…
  30. AIP London, 305 Dywizjon Bombowy, Dziennik bojowy…
  31. A. Gusowski, Księga lotów, copies of three manuscript cards from May and June 1942, in the collection of Krzysztof Kowalkowski.
  32. S. Madejczyk, Wspomnienia…
  33. AIP London, Dyon Bombowy nr 305…
  34. J. Szwarc, oral testimony given to Krzysztof Kowalkowski, 6 April 2020.
  35. S. Madejczyk, Wspomnienia…
  36. M. Skarżyński, e-mails to Krzysztof Kowalkowski, England, 2 February 2013 and 31 August 2013.
  37. C. Kubik, “Ostatni lot ‘Nany’,” Kulisy, Warsaw, 13 February 1977, no. 7 (1043), p. 7.
  38. R. Woolderink, Raalte in oorlogstijd ’40–’45, Doetinchem 1986, 1st ed., p. 51, excerpt translated by Elżbieta Wassing.
  39. H. A. Visser, “Toen gistern nog H. A. Visser Vandaag was 55 jaar predikantschap,” text translated by Elżbieta Wassing and Małgorzata Drobnik.
  40. R. Woolderink, Raalte in oorlogstijd ’40–’45…, pp. 52–53.
  41. AIP London, Stefan Madejczyk, Personal Files, ref. no. LOT.A.IV/32/a/19.
  42. N. Madejczyk, Stefan Bolesław Madejczyk 1945–1992, England 2012, typescript, unpaginated.
  43. S. Madejczyk, Wspomnienia…
  44. Stefan Janus (1910–1978), major (S/L), fighter pilot, among other positions commander of No. 315 Squadron and subsequently of No. I Fighter Wing. For more, see the website: Polishairforce.pl/janus.html.
  1. M. Łazarz, employee of the Museum of Prisoner-of-War Camps in Żagań, e-mail to Krzysztof Kowalkowski, Żagań, 15 October 2013.
  2. Stefan Janus (1910–1978), major (S/L), fighter pilot, among other positions commander of No. 315 Squadron and subsequently of No. I Fighter Wing. For more, see the website: Polishairforce.pl/janus.html.
  3. M. Łazarz, employee of the Museum of Prisoner-of-War Camps in Żagań, e-mail to Krzysztof Kowalkowski, Żagań, 15 October 2013.
  4. For more on the evacuation of the Żagań prisoner-of-war camps, see the website: Muzeum.zagan.pl/stalag-luft-3.
  5. Ibid.
  6. AIP London, Stefan Madejczyk, Personal Files, ref. no. LOT.A.IV/32/a/19.
  7. AIP London, Stefan Madejczyk, Rehabilitation Protocol, ref. no. ARIB/P.10/4.
  8. AIP London, Stefan Madejczyk, Personal Files, ref. no. LOT.A.IV/32/a/19.
  9. Centro de Estudios Migrations, website: Cemla.com.
  10. N. Madejczyk, Stefan Bolesław Madejczyk 1945–1992…
  11. A British Army corps intended to prepare demobilised soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces for civilian life and to resettle them within the territory of Great Britain or beyond its borders.
  12. S. Madejczyk, Wspomnienia…
  13. N. Madejczyk, Stefan Bolesław Madejczyk 1945–1992…
  14. S. Madejczyk, Wspomnienia…
  15. N. Madejczyk, Stefan Bolesław Madejczyk 1945–1992…
  16. R. Woolderink, Raalte in oorlogstijd ’40–’45…, p.
  17. “Stefan Madejczyk kreeg na 44 jaar vliegerscap terug,” Het Sallands Weekblad, 27 November 1986, no. 48.
  18. N. Madejczyk, Stefan Bolesław Madejczyk 1945–1992…
  19. As I have already written, this was not a medal but the fifth class of the Order of the British Empire, the Member’s Cross. The announcement appeared in the order of the Inspector of the Armed Forces 18/42 of 20 September 1942. My father’s Member’s Cross is held in the collection of Nicholas Madejczyk.
  20. S. Madejczyk, Veteran Identity Card, family collection of Nicholas Madejczyk.

Bibliography

Archives of the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum in London

305 Dywizjon Bombowy, Dziennik bojowy 23.11.1941–15.04.1943, ref. no. LOT.A.V/37/8B, manuscript, unpaginated.

Dyon Bombowy nr 305, Operations Record Book, ref. no. LOT.A.V/37/11, typescript, unpaginated.

Stefan Madejczyk, Personal Files, ref. no. LOT.A.IV/32/a/19.

Stefan Madejczyk, Rehabilitation Protocol, ref. no. ARIB/P.10/47.

Studies

Kowalkowski K., Alojzy Paweł Gusowski pilot 305 Dywizjonu Bombowego, Gdańsk 2012.

Woolderink R., Raalte in oorlogstijd ’40–’45, Doetinchem 1986, 1st ed.

Zieliński J., 305 Dywizjon Bombowy Ziemi Wielkopolskiej i Lidzkiej im. Marszałka Józefa Piłsudskiego, Warsaw 2004.

Press

Kubik C., “Ostatni lot ‘Nany’,” Kulisy, Warsaw, 13 February 1977, no. 7 (1043).

“Stefan Madejczyk kreeg na 44 jaar vliegerscap terug,” Het Sallands Weekblad, 27 November 1986, no. 48.

Documents, Testimonies, Manuscripts, Typescripts

Gusowski Alojzy, Księga lotów, copies of three manuscript cards from May and June 1942, in the collection of Krzysztof Kowalkowski.

Kubik Monika, e-mail to Krzysztof Kowalkowski, 21 July 2012.

Łazarz Marek, employee of the Museum of Prisoner-of-War Camps in Żagań, e-mail to Krzysztof Kowalkowski, Żagań, 15 October 2013.

Madejczyk Nicholas, Stefan Bolesław Madejczyk 1945–1992, England 2012, typescript, unpaginated.

Madejczyk Stefan, Veteran Identity Card, family collection of Nicholas Madejczyk.

Madejczyk Stefan, Officer’s Commission no. 4/1938 of 22 September 1938, family collection of Nicholas Madejczyk.

Madejczyk Stefan, Permit no. 44830, family collection of Nicholas Madejczyk.

Madejczyk Stefan, Wspomnienia, England 1982, manuscript, unpaginated, family collection of Nicholas Madejczyk.

Skarżyński Maciej, e-mails to Krzysztof Kowalkowski, England, 2 February 2013 and 31 August 2013.

Szwarc Jerzy, oral testimony given to Krzysztof Kowalkowski, 6 April 2020.

Visser H. A., “Toen gistern nog H. A. Visser Vandaag was 55 jaar predikantschap,” text translated by Elżbieta Wassing and Małgorzata Drobnik.

Websites

Cemla.com (Centro de Estudios Migrations).

Muzeum.zagan.pl/stalag-luft-3.

Pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czesław_Witoszyński.

Polishairforce.pl/janus.html.

Polishairforce.pl/skarzyński.html.

Wikipedia.org.pl/Vickers-Wellington.

Part 3

  1. For more, see: K. Kowalkowski, Alojzy Paweł Gusowski pilot 305 Dywizjonu Bombowego, Gdańsk 2012, pp. 73–76.
  2. Archives of the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum in London [hereafter: AIP London], H. Jankiewicz, Registration Notebook, ref. no. LOT.A.IV/32/a/19.
  3. From 1924, Aleksander Jankiewicz was, among other things, the holder of a patent for door handles joined by a spindle; see: Wiadomości Urzędu Patentowego, Warsaw, 30 July 1924, issue 3, p. 145. In 1928, he presented his products at the Travelling Exhibition of Samples and Models of National Industry in Nowy Sącz; for more, see: www.tradycjegospodarcze.pl/tekst/162.
  4. J. Szwarc, e-mail to the author, Tychy, 16 April 2012.
  5. S. Szwarc, letter to Mieczysław Gusowski, Katowice, 21 June 1997.
  6. The regiment traced its origins to the Bayonne Legion, the first Polish military formation in France, which formed part of the Foreign Legion in Bayonne in the Pyrenees.
  7. Aviation Training Centre No. 1 in Dęblin, the “School of Eaglets.” Today Dęblin is a town on the Vistula River in Lublin Voivodeship.
  8. In March 1939, the 1st Regiment consisted of two fighter squadrons, four bomber squadrons together with one training squadron, three liaison squadrons, and a training division with training and instructional squadrons and a training company. During mobilisation, the regiment was dissolved and the squadrons were reassigned. For more, see: https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/1_Pułk_Lotniczy, according to the entry of 3 April 2020.
  9. AIP London, H. Jankiewicz, Registration Notebook, ref. no. LOT.A.IV/32/a/19.
  10. J. Szwarc, e-mail to the author, Tychy, 10 May 2012.
  11. Today a village and administrative centre in Belsk Duży commune, Grójec County, Masovian Voivodeship.
  12. R XIII F – the Lublin R-XIII was a training aircraft introduced into service in 1933. The R-XIII F version was built in 1935.
  13. This probably refers to the present-day village and commune centre of Wodynie in Siedlce County, Masovian Voivodeship.
  14. Today a village in Ukraine, in Volyn Oblast, Lutsk Raion.
  15. Czapla – the RWD-14, which, owing to its production at the Lublin Aircraft Works, was designated LWS “Czapla”; an observation and liaison aircraft introduced into service in 1939.
  16. Today Ivano-Frankivsk, a city in western Ukraine and the capital of the oblast.
  17. AIP London, H. Jankiewicz, Registration Notebook, LOT.A.IV/32/a/19.
  18. AIP London, H. Jankiewicz, Registration Notebook, ref. no. LOT.A.IV/32/a/19.
  19. T. Dubicki, Wojsko Polskie w Rumunii w latach 1939–1941, Warsaw 1994, pp. 72–73.
  20. T. Dubicki, Wojsko Polskie…, op. cit., p. 111.
  21. Nicolaus – this may have been a French ship, seized by the Germans in 1940, which under the same name was reportedly sunk by the Polish submarine ORP “Dzik”; see: Odwaga straceńców, https://books.google.pl.
  22. J. Szwarc, Zapiski Stanisławy Szwarc, e-mail to the author, Tychy, 6 May 2012.
  23. Col. pilot Stanisław Nazarkiewicz, www.muzeumlotnictwa.pl.
  24. A. Wancerz-Gluza, Rumuński Azyl. Losy Polaków 1939–1945, Warsaw 2009, p. 86.
  25. W. Biegański, Wojsko Polskie we Francji 1939–1940, Warsaw 1967, pp. 160 and 233.
  26. J. Szwarc, Zapiski Stanisławy Szwarc, e-mail to the author, Tychy, 6 May 2012.
  27. Dinard – a town in Brittany, in the department of Ille-et-Vilaine.
  28. Rene Coupigny, e-mail to the author, France, 7 April 2020.
  29. Réaux – a town in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, in the department of Charente-Maritime.
  30. Bordeaux – the capital of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region and one of the most important French seaports.
  31. Rene Coupigny, e-mail to the author, France, 8 April 2020.
  32. J. Szwarc, Zapiski Stanisławy Szwarc, e-mail to the author, Tychy, 6 May 2012.
  33. J. Szwarc, Zapiski Stanisławy…, op. cit.
  34. J. Szwarc, Zapiski Stanisławy…, op. cit.
  35. Ministry of Defence Army Records Centre, letter to Eugenia Steniczka, Middlesex, 30 August 1978.
  36. Bramcote – a locality near Nuneaton in Warwickshire, in central England, within the Midlands region.
  37. J. Szwarc, Zapiski Stanisławy…, op. cit.
  38. Ministry of Defence Army Records Centre, letter…, op. cit., Middlesex, 30 August 1978.
  39. AIP London, 305 Dywizjon Bombowy, Dziennik Bojowy 23.11.1941–15.04.1943, ref. no. LOT.A.V/37/8B.
  40. AIP London, Dyon Bombowy nr 305 Operation Record Book, ref. no. LOT.A.V/37/11.
  41. The Vickers Wellington Mk II was the next type flown by No. 305 Squadron. The aircraft was fitted with Rolls-Royce “Merlin X” inline engines. Its armament consisted of Browning machine guns, calibre 7.92 mm, two each in the front and rear turrets and in the trapezoidal windows at the rear of the fuselage on both sides. The aircraft could carry a maximum of 2,041 kg of bombs in the bomb bay, or one bomb weighing 1,814.36 kg. For more, see: www.wikipedia.org.pl/Vickers-Wellington.
  42. He was killed during a combat flight to Saarbrücken on 28/29 August 1942.
  43. AIP London, Dyon Bombowy nr 305…, op. cit.
  44. AIP London, 305 Dywizjon Bombowy…, op. cit.
  45. He was killed during a combat flight to Essen on 1/2 June 1942.
  46. One foot equals 30.48 cm.
  47. Alojzy Paweł Gusowski was born on 25 January 1916 in Starogard Gdański. In September 1939, as a pilot of the 41st Reconnaissance Squadron, he flew one combat mission in a Karaś aircraft. His Polish rank was plutonowy pilot, and his British rank was Sergeant Flight. In No. 305 Bomber Squadron, he flew 17 combat missions as a Wellington pilot, during which he was shot down twice and each time returned to service. He was killed on his 18th combat mission. For more, see: K. Kowalkowski, Alojzy Paweł Gusowski pilot 305 Dywizjonu Bombowego, Gdańsk 2012; and “Sylwetki lotników, Alojzy Paweł Gusowski (1916–1942),” in: Smugi na niebie, no. 15/2018, Warsaw 2018, pp. 67–70.
  48. AIP London, Dyon Bombowy nr 305…, op. cit.
  49. AIP London, 305 Dywizjon Bombowy…, op. cit.
  50. After his aircraft was shot down during the flight of 20/21 August 1942, he was taken prisoner.
  51. AIP London, Dyon Bombowy nr 305…, op. cit.
  52. AIP London, Dyon Bombowy nr 305…, op. cit.
  53. Księga lotów, copies of three manuscript cards from May and June 1942, in the author’s collection.
  54. S. Madejczyk, Wspomnienia, manuscript, England, 13 May 1982, family archive of N. Madejczyk.
  55. M. Skarżyński, e-mails to the author, England, 2 February 2013 and 31 August 2013.
  56. AIP London, Dyon Bombowy nr 305…, op. cit.
  57. J. Szwarc, oral testimony, 6 April 2020.
  58. Cz. Kubik, “Ostatni lot ‘Nany’,” Kulisy, no. 7 (1043), Warsaw, 13 February 1977, p. 7.
  59. A locality and municipality in the northern Netherlands, in the province of Overijssel, near Zwolle.
  60. R. Woolderink, Raalte In oorlogstijd, 1st ed., Doetinchem 1986, p. 51, translated by Elżbieta Wassing.
  61. R. Woolderink, e-mail to the author, Raalte, 15 June 2012.
  62. https://listakrzystka.pl/Jankiewicz-Henryk-Aleksander/
  63. H. A. Visser, Toen Gistern nog H.A. Visser Vandaag was 55 jaar predikantschap, text translated by Elżbieta Wassing and Małgorzata Drobnik.

Part 4

  1. Alojzy Paweł Gusowski was born on 25 January 1916 in Starogard Gdański. In September 1939, as a pilot of the 41st Reconnaissance Squadron, he flew one combat mission in a Karaś aircraft. His Polish rank was plutonowy pilot, and his British rank was Sergeant Flight. In No. 305 Bomber Squadron, he flew 17 combat missions as a Wellington pilot, during which he was shot down twice and each time returned to service. He was killed on his 18th combat mission. For more, see: K. Kowalkowski, Alojzy Paweł Gusowski pilot 305 Dywizjonu Bombowego, Gdańsk 2012; and “Sylwetki lotników, Alojzy Paweł Gusowski (1916–1942),” in: Smugi na niebie, no. 15/2018, Warsaw 2018, pp. 67–70.
  2. K. Kowalkowski, Porucznik Stefan Bolesław Madejczyk (1911–1992) – polski lotnik na obczyźnie, Pruszcz Gdański 2020.
  3. For more, see: K. Kowalkowski, “por. Henryk A. Jankiewicz (1915–1942),” in: Smugi na Niebie, 17/2020, Warsaw 2020, pp. 70–80; and www.krzysztofkowalkowski.pl.
  4. Ministry of Defence, RAF Northolt, letter to Nicholas Madejczyk, 12 March 2014.
  5. Parish of Wołczuchy, Liber Baptisatorum 1867–1926, Family History Centre, Wrocław, film no. 2033969, via Edward Ardelli.
  6. E. Ardelli, “Wołczuchy – gniazdo naszych przodków,” in: https://doliniany.usermd.net/2021/01/12/wolczuchy-gniazdo-naszych-przodkow/, accessed 6 December 2021.
  7. Słownik geograficzny Królestwa Polskiego i innych krajów słowiańskich, vol. XIII, ed. Bronisław Chlebowski, Warsaw 1898, p. 865.
  8. E. Ardelli, “Wołczuchy – gniazdo naszych przodków,” in: https://doliniany.usermd.net/2021/01/12/wolczuchy-gniazdo-naszych-przodkow/, accessed 6 December 2021.
  9. Skorowidz miejscowości Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, vol. XIII, Lwów Voivodeship, Warsaw 1924, pp. 12–13.
  10. E. Ardelli, e-mail to the author, Złotoryja, 13 May 2021.
  11. Ministry of Defence, RAF Northolt, letter to Nicholas Madejczyk, 12 March 2014.
  12. M. J. Hasiński-Adam, Encyklopedia. Szkoła podoficerów lotnictwa dla Małoletnich, Poznań 1993, p. 18.
  13. “Szkoła podoficerów lotnictwa dla małoletnich,” in: https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Szkoła_Podoficerów_Lotnictwa_dla_Małoletnich, accessed 6 December 2021.
  14. M. J. Hasiński-Adam, Encyklopedia. Szkoła podoficerów lotnictwa dla Małoletnich, London 1981, p. 18.
  15. W. Biegański, Wojsko Polskie we Francji…, op. cit., p. 128.
  16. M. J. Hasiński-Adam, Encyklopedia. Szkoła podoficerów lotnictwa dla Małoletnich, London 1981, p. 18.
  17. Blackpool, a town in North West England on the Irish Sea.
  18. R. Gretzyngier, W. Matusiak, W. Wójcik, Ku czci poległych lotników 1939–1945, Warsaw 2006, p. 246.
  19. Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum, London [hereafter: IPMS London], Dyon Bombowy nr 305, Operations Record Book, ref. no. LOT.A.V/37/11, typescript, unpaginated.
  20. R. Gretzyngier, W. Matusiak, W. Wójcik, Ku czci poległych lotników 1939–1945, Warsaw 2006, p. 246.
  21. IPMS London, K. Ardelli, File Card, Archives Ref. No. LOT.A.IV/32/a/19, manuscript.
  22. He was killed during a combat flight to Saarbrücken on 28/29 August 1942.
  23. IPMS London, Dyon Bombowy nr 305, Operations Record Book, ref. no. LOT.A.V/37/11, typescript, unpaginated.
  24. IPMS London, 305 Dywizjon Bombowy…, op. cit.
  25. He was killed during a combat flight to Essen on 1/2 June 1942.
  26. One foot equals 30.48 cm.
  27. IPMS London, Dyon Bombowy nr 305…, op. cit.
  28. IPMS London, 305 Dywizjon Bombowy…, op. cit.
  29. After his aircraft was shot down during the flight of 20/21 August 1942, he was taken prisoner.
  30. IPMS London, Dyon Bombowy nr 305…, op. cit.
  31. IPMS London, Dyon Bombowy nr 305…, op. cit.
  32. Księga lotów, copies of three manuscript cards from May and June 1942, in the author’s collection.
  33. S. Madejczyk, Wspomnienia, manuscript, England, 13 May 1982, family archive of N. Madejczyk.
  34. M. Skarżyński, e-mails to the author, England, 2 February 2013 and 31 August 2013.
  35. IPMS London, Dyon Bombowy nr 305…, op. cit.
  36. Cz. Kubik, “Ostatni lot ‘Nany’,” Kulisy, no. 7 (1043), Warsaw, 13 February 1977, p. 7.
  37. A locality and municipality in the northern Netherlands, in the province of Overijssel, near Zwolle.
  38. R. Woolderink, Raalte In oorlogstijd, 1st ed., Doetinchem 1986, p. 51, translated by Elżbieta Wassing.
  39. R. Woolderink, e-mail to the author, Raalte, 15 June 2012.
  40. IPMS London, K. Ardelli, File Card, Archives Ref. No. LOT.A.IV/32/a/19, manuscript.
  41. R. Woolderink, Raalte…, op. cit., p. 51.
  42. R. Gretzyngier, W. Matusiak, W. Wójcik, Ku czci poległych…, op. cit., p. 246.
  43. M. J. Hasiński-Adam, Szkoła Podoficerów…, op. cit., p. 18.
  44. Lista Krzystka, in: https://listakrzystka.pl/a/page/11/
  45. Lista Krzystka, in: https://listakrzystka.pl/a/page/11
  46. H. A. Visser, Toen Gistern nog H.A. Visser Vandaag was 55 jaar predikantschap, text translated by Elżbieta Wassing and Małgorzata Drobnik.
  47. E. Ardelli, “Wołczuchy – gniazdo naszych przodków,” in: https://doliniany.usermd.net/2021/01/12/wolczuchy-gniazdo-naszych-przodkow/, accessed 6 December 2021.
  48. E. Ardelli, “Wołczuchy – gniazdo naszych przodków,” https://doliniany.usermd.net/2021/01/12/wolczuchy-gniazdo-naszych-przodkow/, accessed 6 December 2021.
  49. K. Orkusz, O Opatrzności Bożej w Moim życiu, Gdańsk 2021, pp. 101–102.

From the Operation Record Book 305 (Bomb) Squadron (Table 3)