AR banner
Search Tips Advanced Search
Back to Top

Info LogoAdd to or correct this story with a few clicks.
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.
Check our Research databases: Database List

.

We seek additional information and photographs. Please contact us via the Helpdesk.

315 Squadron Crest
11.09.1943 No. 315 Squadron Spitfire Vb W3427 PK-J Fl/Sgt. Stanislaw Grondowski

Operation: Training flight

Date: 11th September 1943 (Saturday)

Unit: No. 315 Squadron (Polish)

Type: Spitfire VB

Serial: W3427

Coded: PK-J

Base: RAF Ballyhalbert, County Down, Northern Ireland

Location: Lisburn, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

Pilot: Fl/Sgt. Stanisław Grondowski P-782063 PAF Age 34. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

A Grim day for 315 Squadron with 3 accidents - all apparently due to adverse weather conditions. Fl/Sgt Grondowski flew into a hill near Plantation House, Lisburn and was killed, Sgt. Władysław Kołek (Spitfire BL469 PK-F) undershot the runway whilst returning from the same training flight - Killed.

Spitfire BL469 PK-F at RAF Ballyhalbert, County Down, Northern Ireland (courtesy Gretzyngier, Matusiak)

Course 29, 58 OTU, Grangemouth, Scotalnd. Front row: Fl/Sgt. Wojcik, Fl/Sgt. Finney, P/O. Parker, P/O. Webster, P/O. Stanislaw Zajdel (Killed in flying accident, 1944 ), Fl/Sgt. Stanisław Grondowski. Middle row: Sgt. Alfred Włodarski (Killed in flying accident, 1944), Sgt. Benner, Sgt. Gowers, Sgt. Taylor, Sgt. Luffman. Rear row: Sgt. Durys, Sgt. Alex Pietrzak (Killed in flying accident, 1945), Fl/Sgt. Urbanczyk.


Sgt. Egon Stanisław Zygmund was injured, but his Spitfire AR338 PK-P was written off. He managed to steer the aircraft between 2 pillars’, breaking the wings off.

Surviving the crash, made his way uninjured, to Glengormley RUC station for assistance.

Sgt. Zygmund was later killed on 29th July1944, whilst serving with 306 Squadron. Believed to be shot down by Allied A/A fire when chasing a V1 over Hastings, Sussex, England.

Left: Sgt. Egon Stanisław Zygmund (courtesy Gretzyngier, Matusiak)

315 Squadron graves at Ballycranbeg Cemetery local AFC pay respects (courtesy Joseph Clint)


Burial Details:

Fl/Sgt. Stanislaw Grondowski. Ballycranbeg (Mount St Joseph) Roman Catholic Churchyard. County Down, Northern Ireland. Grave 40. Born 11th April, 1909.

With thanks to Joseph Clint who lives in the parish of Ballycran and provided the photo of the grave as well as additional information. Also thanks to 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', Jerzy Bogdan Cynk - 'The Polish Airforce At War' Vol's 1 and 2, the 1333 (Grangemouth Spitfire) Squadron and the Grangemouth Spitfire Memorial Trust who provided me with so much information and assistance during the visit by the webmaster.

Right: Fl/Sgt. Stanisław Grondowski grave.



Memorial to Polish Airman, Warsaw, Poland (archives)
Pages of Outstanding Interest
History Airborne Forces •  Soviet Night Witches •  Bomber Command Memories •  Abbreviations •  Gardening Codenames
CWGC: Your Relative's Grave Explained •  USA Flygirls •  Axis Awards Descriptions •  'Lack Of Moral Fibre'
Concept of Colonial Discrimination  •  Unauthorised First Long Range Mustang Attack
RAAF Bomb Aimer Evades with Maquis •  SOE Heroine Nancy Wake •  Fane: Motor Racing PRU Legend
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.
Click any image to enlarge it

Click to add your info via ticket on Helpdesk •Click to let us know via ticket on Helpdesk• Click to buy research books from Amazon •Click to explore the entire site
If you would like to comment on this page, please do so via our Helpdesk. Use the Submit a Ticket option to send your comments. After review, our Editors will publish your comment below with your first name, but not your email address.

A word from the Editor: your contribution is important. We welcome your comments and information. Thanks in advance.

Steve 19.03.2018

It is incredible the number of losses suffered during training. Many of these stories are never told so thank you for covering some of them.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
All site material (except as noted elsewhere) is owned or managed by Aircrew Remembered and should not be used without prior permission.
© Aircrew Remembered 2012 - 2024
Last Modified: 20 March 2018, 16:59

Monitor Additions/Changes?Click to be informed of changes to this page. Create account for first monitor only, thereafter very fast. Click to close without creating monitor