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.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember
them. - Laurence
Binyon
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