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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24.09.1940 No. 605 Squadron Hurricane I P3832 P/O. Glowacki V.M. Loss

Operation: Patrol

Date: 24th September 1940 (Tuesday)

Unit: No. 605 Squadron

Type: Hurricane I

Serial: P3832

Code: UP-P

Base: RAF Croydon

Location: Alemeuse, France

Pilot: P/O. Witold Józef Glowacki VM 76739 PAF Age 26. Survived (1)

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off for a patrol at 15.41 hrs flying Yellow 1 with P/O. Ian Muirhead (2) flying Yellow 2. Told to make their way to the Beach Head area when they spotted a Dornier. P/O. Muirhead attacked from starboard with P/O. Glowacki attacking from port. The Dornier jettisoned its bomb load over the sea, P/O. Muirhead closed in hitting the port engine. P/O. Glowacki also hit the Dornier with several bursts, with the enemy aircraft crashing into the sea of Cap Gris Nez.

Both aircraft were then attacked by Bf109's, Muirhead managed to lose them but Glowacki was hit over the French town of Alemeuse and crash landed his Hurricane.

Several photographs shown above, taken by a German War correspondent show P/O. Glowacki clearly alive, although slightly injured with a head wound. He died later that same day.

(1) Several reports have been circulated as to the cause of death:

1: That he died from an allergic reaction to a tetanus injection.
2: He was executed as a traitor by the S.S. - (see further information under burial details)
3: Died from shock trauma.

(2) Fl/Lt. Ian James Muirhead DFC was killed just a few weeks later on the 15th October 1940. Flying Hurricane I N2546 when he was shot down by Me109's over Maidstone.

Burial Details:

P/O. Witold Józef Glowacki VM. Guines Communal Cemetery, Pas De Calais, France. Plot Mil. Grave 1. Further information: Born on 30th October 1913 in Berlin, Germany to Polish parents. Moved to Poland after the first world war, but spoke fluent German. Joined 145 squadron on 12th August 1940 prior to posting to 605 squadron on 31st August. Awarded the Silver Virtutu Militari (posthumously) on 1st February 1941.

Researched for relatives/friends of the pilot. Acknowledgments: Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - "Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945", Jerzy Bogdan Cynk - "The Polish Airforce At War" Vol 1.

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