Operation: Photo Sortie
Date: 01st February 1943 (Monday)
Unit: No. 41 Squadron
Type: Spitfire Vb
Serial: X4279
Code: EB-C
Base: RAF Llandedr, Gwynedd, Wales
Location: Beach West of Pwllheli, Wales
Pilot: Sgt. Józef Bednarz 782356 PAF Age 22. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
Crashed on the beach whilst low flying on a photo reconnaissance sortie.
No further details available - are you able to provide any?
41 Squadron Spitfires later in 1944 (courtesy I.W.M)
Course 23 58 OTU: - Front row: P/O. Bendit, P/O. Banach, F/O. Andersz, Fl/Lt. Ridkosil, F/O. Preihs, P/O. Ciach, P/O. Birtus - Centre row: Sgt. Ziendalski, Sgt. Haczkiewicz, Sgt. Makowski, Sgt. Muszyński, Sgt. Gilis, Sgt. Orzechowski, Sgt. Plenkiewicz - Rear row: Sgt. Bednarz, Sgt. Starzyński, Sgt. Kierski, Sgt. Sztuka, Sgt. Murkowski, Sgt. Kobyliński
Sgt. Bednarz by his Spitfire
Burial Details:
War Graves at Porthmadog Cemetery, Wales
Sgt. Józef Bednarz. Porthmadog Public Cemetery - Carnarvonshire. Grave 620. Born 13th June 1920 in Rymasze, Poland. (Now Belarus) Next of kin details not available.
Researched for relatives of the pilot with thanks for further information to The Grangemouth Air Cadets and the Grangemouth Spitfire Memorial Trust who provided me with so much information and assistance during my visit, Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - 'Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945'.
