Operation: Training

Date: 22nd July 1944

Unit: No. 306 Squadron (Polish)

Type: Taylorcraft Auster III

Serial: MZ254

Base: R.A.F. Brenzett, Kent

Location: Southbourne, Kent, England

Pilot: W/O. Marcin Machowiak VM KW (4 bars) P-782453 P.A.F. Age 28. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

During a training exercise, the aircraft hit some trees and the pilot was killed.

W/O. Marcin Machowiak on extreme right (courtesy Peter Sikora)

A well-known and liked and combat experienced pilot from 306 Squadron with a successful combat record achieved during his short life:

Destroyed:

August 29th 1941 - Me 109, April 2nd 1943 - Me 109, September 27th 1943 - Fw 190

Damaged:

April 2nd 19 - Me 109, April 30th - Fw 190

Marcin Machowiak on left with friends. Jan Sweryda on right (courtesy Richard Sweryda)

Burial Details:

W/O. Marcin Machowiak. VM KW (4 bars) Northwood Cemetery. Sect. H Grave 450. Son of Martin and Catherine. Born on the 7th April 1916 in Bochum, Germany.

Further information:

Escaped from France on board Polish ship Robur III (shown left) arriving in England on the 21st June 1940. Stayed preliminary in Blackpool and then joined 306 Squadron on August 29th 1941. Then served as an instructor at 58 O.T.U. in Blackpool. Served for a period in the African campaign with 'Skalski's Circus'. Returned to England and then rejoined 306 Squadron on September 27th, 1943. Assigned to 303 Squadron on June 16th, 1944. Joining the unit was delayed and was then attached to 84 GSU.

Researched for relatives of the pilot. With thanks to the following for further information supplied, Kerry Hart, Wlodzimierz Chojnaki, Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - 'Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945', Polish Squadron ORB 'website'.

• Archiwum Polish Database for Marcin Machowiak
  
• Pages related to Poland