Operation: Armed Recce

Date: 1st November 1944

Unit: No. 303 Squadron (Polish)

Type: Spitfire F.IX

Serial: MH910

Code: RF-G

Base RAF Coltishall

Location: West of Amsterdam.

Pilot: Sgt. Jan Wierchowicz KW (x2) ML 794984 PAF Age 27. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Shot down at 15.30hrs when attacking barges.

Report by W/O. Władysław Sznapka(1):

'I was assigned on this rec. as commander of 2 section. Jan was my wing man. We were at 7,500 ft whilst the leading section were at 6,500 ft.
To the west of Amsterdam the leading section attacked two small ships flying from west to east.
We jettisoned our reserve tanks and with Jan along side me we also attacked. After I pulled up, I couldn’t see Jan but recall I saw a strip of fire under his aircraft during the attack. I tried to call him, but he failed to reply. The time of the attack was 15.30 hrs.'

(1) W/O. Wladysław Sznapka survived the war, remaining in England. He died in Blackpool 1984-04-17

Burial Details:

Sgt. Jan Wierchowicz. Amsterdam New Eastern Cemetery. Grave D.3. Row 69. No. 82. Further information: Born on 1st April 1918 at Sebastianów, Poland. First imprisoned by the USSR, after release he fled to England, arriving on 2nd January 1942. Trained at 61 OTU before being posted to 303 Squadron. Awarded the Krzyz Walecznych (Cross of Valour) (x2) posthumously.