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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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303 Squadron crest
15.09.1940 No. 303 Squadron (PAF) Hurricane I P3577 Sgt. Brzezowski loss

Operation: Patrol

Date: 15th September 1940 (Sunday)

Unit: No. 303 Squadron (PAF)

Type: Hurricane I

Serial: P3577

Code: RF-E

Base: RAF Northolt

Location: Gravesend, Kent

Pilot: Sgt. Michal Brzezowski K.W. P-5122 PAF Age 20. Missing

REASON FOR LOSS:

Patrol to intercept Luftwaffe bombers when at 15.05 hrs. entered into combat with Bf 109s over the Thames Estuary off Gravesend and was shot down.

Left:  Sgt. Michal Brzezowski K.W. (courtesy Gretzyngier, Matusiak, Wójcik  and Zieliński)

Body not recovered and aircraft lost.

In 1936, he joined the Aviation School as a juvenile. Completed pilot training in 1939. The first assignment was with 151 Fighter Squadron. He took part in the fighting during the German invasion in September 1939, escaping to France via Romania. Joined 303 Squadron from 5 OTU and on 11th September took part in his first operation.

Burial Details:

Sgt. Michal Brzezowski K.W. Commemorated on Polish Air Force Memorial, Northolt, Middlesex. Born 26 February 1920, Dawidgródku, near Stolin, Belarus.  Next of Kin details not available as yet.

Sqd. Ldr. Kellett, Commanding Officer 303 Squadron during the Battle of Britain wrote this in his Chronicle, kindly given to us by his daughter Louise Pemberton:

 “We fought together through the great offensive of 1940 and I then knew that the pilots of No. 303 Squadron were not only the best but would also see me through any troubles.  In the month of September, 303 Squadron was on top – no squadron from the Empire could equal the courage and skill of our pilots, no bombing could daunt our airmen.”  S/Ldr Ronald Kellett 303 Squadron Chronicles


Acknowledgments: Norman L.R. Franks "Fighter Command Losses" Vol. 1, Winston G. Ramsey - "Battle of Britain Then and Now". Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - "Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945".

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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', Archiwum - Polish Air Force Archive (on this site), Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, 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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