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Archive Report: Allied Forces

Compiled from official National Archive and Service sources, contemporary press reports, personal logbooks, diaries and correspondence, reference books, other sources, and interviews.
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316 Squadron (P) Spitfire IX EN179 SZ-E F/O. Andrzej Próchnicki, RAF Northolt, JG26, Naours, Somme, France

Operation: Ramrod

Date: 19th August 1943 (Thursday)

Unit: No. 316 Squadron (Polish)

Type: Spitfire IX

Serial: EN179

Code: SZ-C

Base: RAF Northolt.

Location: Naours, Somme, France.

Pilot: F/O. Andrzej Feliks Michal Próchnicki 792702 (P-1647) PAF Age 26. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

During the morning of the 19th August the squadron were taking part in a ramrod operation over France. Intercepted by Fw190’s and shot down over Naours.

During the action F/O. Kaczmarek claimed 2 Fw190’s destroyed, Fl/Lt. Jeka 1 destroyed another as damaged, F/O. Wiza 1 probably destroyed, another as damaged, F/O. Kurylowicz 1 destroyed and F/O. Jaworowski 1 destroyed - all over the North Amiens area.

The memorial at the crash site in France (courtesy Luarent Taveau and Bernard Etamps)

Above Spitfire EN179 Prior to joining 316 Squadron. In August 2005 wreckage from the aircraft was recovered, we have no further details as to its current location.

Burial details:

F/O. Andrzej Feliks Michal Próchnicki. Initially buried in local cemetery in Naours. In 1950 exhumed and moved to the Polish Cemetery in Grainville-Langannerie, France. Grave II.AA.11. Born 18th October 1917 in Kijow, Ukraine. Next of kin details unavailable, can you assist?

Explore related reports: 1943 Fighter Command Memorial / Plaques Poland Stirling
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Acknowledgements
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Sources used by us in compiling Archive Reports include: Bill Chorley - 'Bomber Command Losses Vols. 1-9, plus ongoing revisions', Dr. Theo E.W. Boiten and Mr. Roderick J. Mackenzie - 'Nightfighter War Diaries Vols. 1 and 2', Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt - 'Bomber Command War Diaries', Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Tom Kracker - Kracker Luftwaffe Archives, Michel Beckers, Major Fred Paradie (RCAF) and Captain François Dutil (RCAF) - Paradie Archive (on this site), Jean Schadskaje, Major Jack O'Connor USAF (Retd.), Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - 'Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945', Andrew Mielnik: Archiwum - Polish Air Force Archive (on this site), Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, Polish graves: https://niebieskaeskadra.pl/, PoW Museum Żagań, Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses', Stan D. Bishop, John A. Hey MBE, Gerrie Franken and Maco Cillessen - Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces, Vols 1-6, Dr. Theo E.W. Boiton - Nachtjagd Combat Archives, Vols 1-13. Aircrew Remembered Databases and our own archives. We are grateful for the support and encouragement of CWGC, UK Imperial War Museum, Australian War Memorial, Australian National Archives, New Zealand National Archives, UK National Archives and Fold3 and countless dedicated friends and researchers across the world.
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