AR banner
Search Tips Advanced Search
Back to Top

Info LogoAdd to or correct this story with a few clicks.
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.
Check our Research databases: Database List
.
We seek additional information and photographs. Please contact us via the Helpdesk.
317 Squadron badge
16.07.1943 No. 317 Squadron Spitfire EE684 JH-F F/O. Ciach

Operation: Convoy Patrol

Date: 16th July 1943 (Friday)

Unit: No. 317 Squadron (Polish)

Type: Spitfire Vc

Serial: EE684

Code: JH-F

Base: RAF Perranporth, Cornwall

Location: 7 Miles off Lizard Point, Cornwall.

Pilot: F/O. Marian Ciach KW ML P-1713 PAF Age 24. Missing - believed killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Took off at 14:35 hrs with 5 other aircraft from 'B' flight led by Fl/Lt. Janicki.

Visibility was poor so they were flying very low during the flight home Fl/Lt. Janicki noticed that F/O. Ciach was not following him, so he returned and noticed a patch on the sea. It is thought he drowned as there was no sign of the body or aircraft.

Notes: EE684 was built by the Westland Aircraft Factory and powered with a Merlin 46 R.R Engine.

View off Lizard Point, Cornwall, England


Above as described - taken on or about the 17th June 1942.

Front row: P/O. Wiesław Benoit P-1710 / 783408, P/O. Władysław Banach P-1673 / 784483, F/O. Stefan Andersz P-0958, Fl/Lt. Ridkosil, F/O. Jan Kazimierz Preihs P-0219, P/O. Marian Ciach P-1713 / 783441, P/O. Birtus.

Centre row: Sgt. Józef Marian Ziendalski 792036, Sgt. Tadeusz Haczkiewicz P-2311 / 793831, Sgt. Zbigniew Makowski P-2206 / 792839, Sgt. Muszynski, Sgt. Gilis, Sgt. Tadeusz Orzechowski 783097, Sgt. Antoni Stefan Plenkiewicz 784769.

Rear row: Sgt. Józef Bednarz 782356, Sgt. Henryk Starzynski 793783, Sgt. Kierski, Sgt. Sztuka, Sgt. Antoni Stefan Murkowski 784755, Sgt. Janusz Włodzimierz Kobylinski P-2203 / 781295

Burial Details:

F/O. Marian Ciach. Body not recovered, commemorated on the Polish memorial at Northolt and the Warsaw Memorial. Born 19th October 1918 in Deblin, Poland. Next of Kin details not available as yet.

Researched for relatives of the pilot with thanks for further information to The Grangemouth Air Cadets and the Grangemouth Spitfire Memorial Trust who provided me with so much information and assistance during my visit, Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - 'Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945', Polish Squadron O.R.B. 'website'.

Pages of Outstanding Interest
History Airborne Forces •  Soviet Night Witches •  Bomber Command Memories •  Abbreviations •  Gardening Codenames
CWGC: Your Relative's Grave Explained •  USA Flygirls •  Axis Awards Descriptions •  'Lack Of Moral Fibre'
Concept of Colonial Discrimination  •  Unauthorised First Long Range Mustang Attack
RAAF Bomb Aimer Evades with Maquis •  SOE Heroine Nancy Wake •  Fane: Motor Racing PRU Legend
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.
Click any image to enlarge it

 Click to add your info via ticket on Helpdesk •Click to let us know via ticket on Helpdesk• Click to buy research books from Amazon •Click to explore the entire site
If you would like to comment on this page, please do so via our Helpdesk. Use the Submit a Ticket option to send your comments. After review, our Editors will publish your comment below with your first name, but not your email address.

A word from the Editor: your contribution is important. We welcome your comments and information. Thanks in advance.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
All site material (except as noted elsewhere) is owned or managed by Aircrew Remembered and should not be used without prior permission.
© Aircrew Remembered 2012 - 2023 Last Modified: 22 March 2021, 20:15

Monitor Additions/Changes?Click to be informed of changes to this page. Create account for first monitor only, thereafter very fast. Click to close without creating monitor