Operation: Ramrod 905

Date: 21st May 1944 (Sunday)

Unit: No. 303 Squadron (Polish)

Type: Spitfire VB

Serial: BM565

Base: RAF ALG Horne, England

Location: Villiers Northern France.

Pilot: Sgt. Wiktor Kempka 793627 PAF Age 25. PoW

REASON FOR LOSS:

10 Spitfires leaving Manston at 09.50 hrs. Shot down during a ramrod during the morning of the 21st May after crashing near Villiers, France.

This was the first massed operation against German communication and radar targets over Northern france, consequently large number of casualties were incurred with fighter command losing 30 aircraft. 9 Pilots killed, 6 evading capture, 9 taken PoW, 3 wounded with 3 escaping injury.

303 Squadron and right: Sgt. Wiktor Kempka

He escaped an earlier Ramrod (240) operation. On the 23rd September 1943, flying Spitfire IX BS180 his aircraft's engine was shot up after an attack by four Fw.190's, baling out in the English Channel, he made several Mayday calls which were picked up by the Wing air sea rescue section. Rescued within 40 minutes by a Walrus aircraft.

Burial Details:

None, Sgt Kempka survived and settled in Great Britain after the war. No further details. Died 9th April 2006 in England, age 91.

With thanks to the following for additional information, the 1333 (Grangemouth Spitfire) Squadron and the Grangemouth Spitfire Memorial Trust who provided me with so much information and assistance during my visit, Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses' Vol's. 1 and 2, Polish Squadron O.R.B. 'website'.