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.

308 squadron badge
26.02.1941 No. 308 Squadron Hurricane I V7073 Sgt. Parafinski

Operation: Training

Date: 26th February 1941 (Wednesday)

Unit: No. 308 Squadron (Polish)

Type: Hurricane I

Serial: V7073

Code: ZF-?

Base: RAF Bagington, Warwickshire

Location: Cottesmore near Northampton

Pilot: Sgt. Mieczylaw Jan Parafinski P783369 Polish Air Force Age 26. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Went on a height climb exercise along with P/O. Retinger (1) who lost him at 15,000 ft. P/O. Retinger returned back to the base and there was no sign of Sgt. Parafinski.

Rumours throughout the squadron on the 27th February that a Spitfire had been seen crashed at Cottesmore - later it turned out that it was the Hurricane flown by the pilot. He was killed outright.

(1) P-0248 Witold Retinger DFC VM survived the war, retired as a Sq/Ldr and settled in the United States of America.

                               

                      

Burial Details:

Sgt. Mieczylaw Jan Parafinski. Bagington (St. John The Baptist) Churchyard. Grave 1. Further information: Born in Krakow, Poland, 28th November 1914, educated ar J.H. Kronski Grammar School, Krakow, Poland. Joined Polish Air Force as air craftsman 02.11. 1934 becoming a trainee pilot in 1935. Awarded his "Wings" the following October. Obtained above average on all courses undertaken. During early 1939 passed as an instructor pilot and then posted to 2nd Wing No. 122 fighter squadron.

Following invasion of his country he took part in 23 operations in the period of the 1st September and the 16th. Ten of these involving dog fights. His first victory came on the 21st September when he shot down a Heinkel III which crashed near Czyzyny in Krakow.

Following the fall of Poland he fled via USSR to Romania and from there to join the Free French Air Force on or around the 30th October, making his way to England after France fell in 1940.

Awarded the Polish Cross of Valour for his bravery during the invasion of his country.

Reserched for relatives of the pilot with thanks for further information 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', Squadron ORB'S.

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.

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: 02 July 2019, 14:27

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