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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 Badge
11.04.1945 No. 316 Squadron Mustang III FB164 SZ-G F/O. Belza

Operation: Training

Date: 11th April 1945 (Wednesday)

Unit: No. 316 Squadron (Polish)

Type: Mustang P51D III

Serial: FB164

Code: SZ-G

Base: RAF Andrews Field, Essex

Location: RAFPilot: F/O Stefan Stanislaw Belza P-2060  PAF Age 30. Killed

We have noticed many visits via Facebook recently - if you are able to assist with further information photographs we would very much like to hear from you. The husband of my mother, Alex Pietrzak (killed August 1945) served with him at RAF Andrews Field.

Zauważyliśmy, wiele razy przez Facebook niedawno - jeśli jesteś w stanie pomóc Więcej informacji zdjęciami będziemy bardzo chciałbym usłyszeć od ciebie.Mąż mojej matki, Alex Pietrzak (zabity sierpnia 1945) służył w RAF z Nim Andrews Field.

REASON FOR LOSS:

On final approach to RAF Andrews Field he collided with Mustang III flown by Fl/Sgt. Bocklowski with both pilots losing their lives.

                       

Left: Grave at Epping Cemetery. Taken by Aircrew Remembered in June 2013 - any relative who would like a free high resolution copy please dont hesitate to contact us.

Burial Details:

F/O Stefan Stanislaw Belza C.V. 3 Bars. Epping Cemetery. Row Z. Grave 7. N.o.K. details not currently available. October 22nd 1914. Previously served with 303 Squadron and also as an instructor with 61 O.T.U. Joined 316 Squadron towards the end of 1944. F/O. Belza had flown a total of 143 sorties totalling some 256 hours.

Researched for relatives of the pilot with thanks to the following for further information, Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - 'Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945', Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Aircrew Remembered own archives.

Acknowledgements: 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 MWO 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', Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses', 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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