Operation: Ramrod

Date: 13th May 1943 (Thursday)

Unit: No. 315 (Polish) Squadron (City of Deblin)

Type: Spitfire IX

Serial: BS410

Code: PK-A

Base: RAF Northolt

Location: Amiens area, France

Pilot: F/O. Piotr Władysław Kuryłłowicz P-1952 / 780962 PAF Age 23. PoW No: 1348 Camp: Stalag Luft Sagan

REASON FOR LOSS:

After the September 1939 campaign, escaped through Romania, France, finally arriving in Great Britain in June 1940. Trained with 55 Operational Training Unit then joined 315 Squadron. Transferred to 317 Squadron in July 1942.

During a ramrod operation in the afternoon over France he was shot down by an Me109 but managed to bale out of the burning aircraft after forcing the canopy hood lock that had jammed. He used the small crowbar that was carried in the aircraft.

In 2005 the wreckage of the Spitfire was recovered by members of the Somme Aviation 39-45 team and Martin Phillips of Airframe Assemblies then undertook the task of renovation of another Spitfire using some parts from BS410 and then painted in the same colours and markings. In May 2009 he visited the aircraft in and during an emotional visit sat in the cockpit one more time.

Burial details:

None, Fl/Lt. Piotr Władysław Kuryłłowicz 2xKW, ML. Born on the 03rd January 1920 in Semej, Kazakhstan. Survived the war as a PoW. After he was liberated he graduated in Dentistry and moved to Canada in 1947.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to Archiwum Mielnika, Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - 'Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945'. With thanks to Zbigniew Latos for pointing out photo error May 2023. Somme Aviation 39-45, other sources as quoted below:

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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