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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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Polish Air force crest
03.09.1939 No. 21 (1) EB PZL-23B Karas DI K98 Sgt. Wacław Buczylko

Operation: Defence of Poland

Date: 3rd September 1939 (Sunday)

Unit: No. 21 (1) EB Eskadra Bombowa Lekka (Light Bomber Flight - Polish)

Type: PZL-23B Karas

Serial: DI

Code: K98

Base: Wsola, Poland

Location: Olzsynki, Poland

Pilot Sgt. Waclaw Buczylko 793312 PAF Safe (1)

Obs: Cpt. Stefan Karol Alberti P-0031 - 76871 PAF Safe (2)

Obs/Air/Gnr: Sgt (cadet). Mieczysław Mazur Age 23 Killed

This report has been compiled from Polish records - if we have made any mistakes we welcome further contributions.

REASON FOR LOSS:

During a bombing run at 09.30 hrs. between Radom and Plawno when they were bombing German troop and transport movements they were attacked by Me109’s. It is thought that this aircraft was the first abshüsse for Oblt. Joseph Kellner-Steinmetz (3) of 3./ZG2.

The aircraft came down in the village of Olzsynki which was within the Polish lines at this stage of the war. The aircraft was photographed many times by members of the German army shortly after when the area was captured.

It seems that Capt. Alberti baled out of the aircraft whilst Sgt. Buczylko remained in the aircraft. Sgt, Mazur was killed, either during that attack or following the fire that enveloped the aircraft after it hit the ground.

Right: Oblt. Joseph Kellner-Steinmetz (see Kracker Luftwaffe Archive on this site)


(1) Sgt. Waclaw Buczylko went on to serve with 304 and 301 Squadrons as a W/O. with the PAF in England. He survived the war and passed away on the 15th November 1988. Born in Wolkowysk (then in Poland)
(2) Cpt. Stefan Karol Alberti went on to serve with the PAF in England, he was killed in a tragic training accident on the 21st October 1943 on a Wellington III BK471 whilst with 18 OTU.
(3) Oblt. Joseph Kellner-Steinmetz was shot down and killed on the 6th November 1939, understood to be by a French Hawk 75A of GC11/5 over the river Saar area, North Eastern France.

Burial details:

Sgt (cadet). Mieczysław Mazur. Believed to be in the Olzsynki cemetery, Poland. Born on 17th April 1917. Next of kin details not available as yet.

Cpt. Stefan Karol Alberti. Newark Cemetery. Grave 319A. Born on 23rd October 1907 in Wadowice, Poland. Next of kin details not available as yet.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to Suzanna Ghaffari, Gazeta-olawa, Krzystka List

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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 Captain 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', Andrew Mielnik: Archiwum - Polish Air Force Archive (on this site), Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, Polish graves: https://niebieskaeskadra.pl/, PoW Museum Żagań, 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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