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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16.04.1941 No. 303 Squadron Spitfire IIa P7819 RF-S P/O. Boguslaw Mierzwa

Operation: Circus 8

Date: 16th April 1941 (Wednesday)

Unit: No. 303 Squadron (Polish)

Type: Spitfire IIa

Serial: P7819

Code: RF-S

Base: RAF Northolt, Middlesex

Location: Near Dungeness, Kent

Pilot: P/O Bogusław Mierzwa P-1389 PAF Age 23 Killed

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New Memorial planned - we need your assistance - see link for Dungeness. We would also like any relative of the pilot to contact us with any further information / photographs.

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REASON FOR LOSS:

Providing close cover to bombers on a raid to Berck-sur-Mer engaged Bf109’s of JG53 over the Channel and shot down.

303 Squadron members with P/O Bogusław Mierzwa seated first left (courtesy Peter Sikora collection)

A memorial had been placed to him and another 303 squadron pilot, P/O Mieczyslaw Waskiewicz, also lost this day in the Dungeness area. Another Polish pilot,from 303 Squadron was also hit, but P/O. W.S. Strzembosz (1) flying Spitfire IIa Z3090 survived, wounded. His aircraft was damaged but later repaired.

Left: Grave of P/O Boguslaw Mierzwa at Northwood Cemetery - taken during a visit by Aircrew Remembered, July 2013. (High resolution photo of the grave is available to relatives)

Sadly, in January 2015 we have been informed that the memorial placed, is in a very bad state of repair - efforts are underway to build a similar memorial in a more visible area. Funds are of course needed for this and we would appreciate your help with these efforts. Aircrew Remembered have provided a donation.

(1) Wictor Stanislaw Strzembosz was killed just 3 months later on the 8th July 1941 in Spitfire IIb P8669 RF-M over Dunkirk, France. Buried at Merville.

Burial details: 

P/O Boguslaw Mierzwa. Northwood Cemetery. Section H. Grave 290. NoK details currently not available - are you able to assist completion of these and any other information? Joined 303 Squadron 21 August 1940 - moved to No.5 Operational Training Unit 2nd September 1940, rejoining 303 Squadron 27 September 1940.

Spitfire P7819 - flown by P/O Bogusław Mierzwa (see credits and Peter Sikora collection)

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to Peter Sikora, Dungeness UK, 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, Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses' Vol. 1-3.

Support the efforts from our friends direct at Dungeness UK - send as much or as little as you are able.

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