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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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306 squadron badge
14.04.1942 No. 306 Squadron Spitfire Vc AB182 UZ-W Sq/Ldr. Wczelik

Operation: Circus 123

Date: 14th April 1942 (Tuesday)

Unit: No. 306 Squadron (Polish)

Type: Spitfire Vc

Serial: AB182

Code: UZ-W

Base: RAF Church Stanton, Somerset

Location: Caen, France

Pilot: Sq/Ldr. Antoni Wczelik P-1419 Polish Air Force Age 31. Missing

REASON FOR LOSS:

Took off with eleven other Spitfires on Circus 123 at 11:50 hrs, covering 12 Boston aircraft that were to bomb the power station at Mondeville, near Caen, France.

During the return flight the squadron was attacked by four Me109's, Fl/Lt. Jozef Zulikowski (1) with F/O. Bohdan Arct (2) witnessed Spitfire AD182 falling towards the English Channel with white smoke pouring from the aircraft. 28 year old F/O. Edward Jankowski was also shot down and missing during the same attack from JG2.

The remainder of the squadron landed at 13:00 hrs.

(1) Fl/Lt. Jozef Zulikowski survived the war, passed away on the 21st October 1993, age 78. Some details here.

(2) Later made Sq/Ldr, F/O. Arct was shot down on the 6th September 1944 flying a Mustang III FB351, survived but taken PoW. Passed away on the 11th May 1973 age just 59. Some details here.

Burial Details:

Sq/Ldr. Antoni Wczelik - none - missing, commemorated on the Polish Memorial at Northolt and on the Warsaw Memorial. Born 4 October 1906. Joined 302 Squadron on 20th August 1940. December 1940 joined 317 Squadron. In October 1941 joined 306 Squadron as Squadron leader.

Researched for relatives of the pilot with thanks to the following for further information, 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', Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses' Vol. 2, Aircrew Remembered own archives.

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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.
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