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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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315 Squadron Crest
13.05.1943 No. 315 Squadron (P) Spitfire IX BS410 PK-A F/O. Kuryłłowicz

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:

KTY 12.12.2012

KTY 28.05.2023 Correct photo added

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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 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.
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Last Modified: 28 May 2023, 11:06

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