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Operation: Patrol (B of B)
Date: 11th September 1940
Unit: No. 303 Squadron (Polish)
Type: Hurricane I
Serial: V6667
Code: RF-K
Base: RAF Northolt, Middlesex.
Location: Pembury, Kent, England
Pilot: F/O. Arsen Cebrzyński P-1416 PAF Age 28. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
Taking off from RAF Northolt to intercept a large enemy force over Horsham. A huge air battle taking place over the Kent countryside.
303 Squadron shot down, 4 x He 111's, 3 Do 215's, 3 x Me 110's with a further 7 x Me 109's.
Sadly the squadron also suffered casualties:
In addition to F/O. Cebrzyński they lost 24 year old Sgt. Stefan Wojtowicz who was shot down flying Hurricane I V7242 RF-B and killed at Westerham. Fl/Lt. Forbes was also hit and wounded, but managed to land his Hurricane V7465 RF-V at Heston.
F/O. Arsen Cebrzyński was shot down at Pembury following combat, South of London at 16:20 hrs. Managed to bale out but fell to his death. Reports that he died later on the 19th September are incorrect. (see notes)
F/O. Arsen Cebrzyński. Northwood Cemetery. Sec H. Grave 187. N.o.K. Details not available as yet. Born on 8th March 1918 in Batum, Georgia.
Researched for relatives of the pilot. With thanks to the following for further information supplied 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', Polish Squadron O.R.B. 'website'. Winston G. Ramsey - 'Battle of Britain Then and Now'.
F/O. Arsen Cebrzyński's grave at Northwood.
Notes: With thanks to Richard King for corrected information on death of the pilot. Richard wrote the publication '303 (Polish) Squadron'. Published 2010 by Red Kite Books. ASBN: 978-1-906592-03-5. Available via Amazon and most leading booksellers. 303 (Polish) Squadron, RAF, was to emerge as the RAF's top-scoring unit of the Battle of Britain. This book tells its story during that fateful summer of 1940: from formation amidst political wrangling, though training against a background of official suspicion and distrust, to its entry into combat at a critical period in the Battle.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember
them. - Laurence
Binyon
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