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Archive Report: Allied Forces

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303 squadron crest
14.02.1942 No. 303 Squadron Spitfire Vb BL432 RF-K F/O. Ferić VM KW DFC

Operation: Training

Date: 14th February 1942 (Saturday)

Unit: No. 303 (Polish) Squadron

Type: Spitfire VB

Serial: BL432

Code: RF-K

Base: RAF Northolt, Middlesex

Location: RAF Northolt, Middlesex

Pilot: F/O. Mirosław Stanisław Ferić VM. KW. DFC. P-1387 PAF Age 26. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

During a practice flight over Northolt airfield the Spitfire VB went into a dive. At around 1500 mtrs. the aircraft lost a wing and then the tail - crashed onto the airfield killing the pilot instantly. Following the crash the wreckage was transported to 43 Group deposit and then on the 24th February struck off charge.


F/O. Miroslaw Ferić VM KW DFC (courtesy Peter Sikora)

A fighter Ace with his first credits whilst with the Polish Air Force. On the 3rd September 1939, before he bailed out from P 11 (No.'4'), he participated on shared victory and officially scored 1/3 of Bf 110 shot down in Zielonka - Kobylka - Warsaw area, which is officially confirmed.

On the 8th September he shot down a Hs.126 (shared) it is also claimed in some sources that he shot down a Bf.110 although that is not recorded officially.

After Poland fell he left with many others to Romania where he was interned. He then escaped to France and following the fall of France escaped to England, where he joined the newly formed 303 squadron.

Above the wreckage of Spitfire BL432 (courtesy Gretzyngier, Matusiak, Wojcik and Zielinski)

(1) VM - Virtuti Militari, (Military Valour), KW. Krzyz Walecznych (Cross of Valour), DFC - Distinguished Flying Cross.

1 x Me.109 - August 31st 1940
1 x Me.109 - September 2nd 1940 (Probable)
1 x Me.109 - September 6th 1940
1 x Me.109 - September 15th 1940
1 x Me.109 - September 27th 1940
1 x He.110 - September 27th 1940
1 x Me.109 - October 5th 1940
1 x Bf.109 - June 22nd 1941
1 x Bf.109 - June 27th 1941 (Damaged)

(1) VM - Virtuti Militari, (Military Valour), KW Krzyz Walecznych (Cross of Valour)

Funeral at Northwood Cemetery (courtesy Gretzyngier, Matusiak, Wojcik and Zielinski)


Above: Grave at Northwood Cemetery

Burial Details:

F/O. Miroslaw Ferić VM KW DFC Northwood Cemetery Grave No. H232

Born 17th June 1915 in Travnik, near Sarajevo, Bosnia. (Mother Polish - father a Croatian - killed in WW1)

Researched by Peter Sikora for Philip Ferić-Methuen - son of F/O. Ferić VM KW DFC With thanks to the following: Peter Sikora, Robert Gretzyngier, Woitek Matusiak, Waldemar Wojcik and Josef Zielinski for Polish information that we may have used.

In 2012 the Polish Air Force are remembering their heroes by painting various MIG 29s in memory of 303 squadron pilots. Including the one shown below to F/O. Miroslaw Ferić. What a tremendous honour!

Photographs courtesy of the people at the 'my city-military.com'. Also to Piotr and our friends at the '300 Polish Squadron Group'



KTY 01.10.2014 Updated 31.01.2018

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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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