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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09.09.1940 No. 303 Squadron Hurricane I P3700 RF-E Fl/Sgt. K.R. Wünsche

Operation: Patrol

Date: 9th September 1940 (Monday)

Unit: No. 303 Squadron (Polish)

Type: Hurricane I

Serial: P3700

Code: RF-E

Base: RAF Northolt

Location: Saddlescombe Farm, Poynings, West Sussex.

Pilot: Fl/Sgt. Kazimierz Roman Wünsche DFM. DFC. VM. P-2096/793443 PAF Age 21. Injured

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off on patrol from RAF Northolt at 17:25 hrs. Met a large formation of about 40 Ju88's escorted by a large number of Me109s and Me 110s. Combat taking place at around 17:50 hrs. Flt/Lt. Kent shot down a Ju88 which was seen to fall into the sea. He also went on to damage a Me110. Sgt. Frantiszek destroyed an Me109 and a He111 before having to crash land in a cabbage field next to Downs Hotel 1.5 miles from Woodingdean, Brighton, his Hurricane being hit in the radiator, fuselage and port wing.

Kazimierz Wünsche DFM. DFC. VM. (see credits)                   

During this patrol Wünsche was shot down by an Me 109. he baled out and was slightly wounded in the leg and also suffered some burns to his face - he was admitted to Hove hospital, it would be June 1941 before he could return to combat.

A major recovery of this crash site was undertaken by the Wealdon Aviation Archaeology Group in September 1979. The remains of a shattered Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, propeller hub, head armour and cockpit components including the gun sight were all unearthed. 

We understand that a further, but far more detailed inspection of the crash site took place in September 2015.                                                      

Hurricane I P3700 RF-E (see credits)

 Left to right: Eugeniusz Szaposznikow, Stanislaw Karubin, Kazimierz Wünsche (see notes/credits)

Sqd. Ldr. Kellett, Commanding Officer 303 Squadron during the Battle of Britain said this about his comrades in his Chronicle, kindly given to us by his daughter Louise Pemberton:

 “We fought together through the great offensive of 1940 and I then knew that the pilots of No. 303 Squadron were not only the best but would also see me through any troubles.  In the month of September, 303 Squadron was on top – no squadron from the Empire could equal the courage and skill of our pilots, no bombing could daunt our airmen.”  S/Ldr Ronald Kellett 303 Squadron Chronicles.

Aircrew Remembered are in contact with his daughter and family - we hope to place additional informtion soon. With thanks for further details 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’.

Notes:

Kazimierz Wünsche died on 10 July 1980 in Warsaw at the age of 61 years. Buried - Warsaw, Poland.

Eugeniusz Szaposznikow P-1653 / 793414 - died on the 07th August 1991 age 75.

Stanisław Karubin 793420 - killed on the 12th August 1941, age 25.

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