AR banner
Search Tips Advanced Search
Back to Top

• Kracker Archive
• Allied Losses
• Archiwum Polish
• Paradie Canadian
• RCAF
• RAAF
• RNZAF
• USA
• Paul McGuiness RAAF Archive
• Searchable Lists

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.
316 squadron badge
22/23.11.1942 No 316 Squadron / No. 2 O.T.U. Spitfire / Beaufighter Sgt. Orzechowski / Sgt. Patterson

Operation: Night training exercise

Date: 22/23rd November 1942 (Monday)

Unit: No. 316 (Polish) Squadron / 2 O.T.U.

Type: Spitfire Vb / Beaufighter VI

Serial: BL246 / EL394

Code: SZ-A / ?

Base: R.A.F. Hutton Cranswick, Driffield, Yorkshire.

Location: Barmson, East of Driffield, Yorkshire

Pilot: BL246 – Sgt. Tadeusz Orzechowski P-783097 P.A.F. Age 21. Killed

Pilot: EL394 – Sgt. Robert Andrew Patterson R/102077 R.C.A.F. Age 20. Killed (1)

REASON FOR LOSS:

During night training a 2 O.T.U. Beaufighter was practising circuits and landings exercises when the two aircraft collided and crashed in the village of Barmston, killing both crew members.

We understand that a recovery group managed to rescue the Merlin engine from the Spitfire and initial reports were that is is in good condition and possible that it could run once again, although this was in 2007 and no news has surfaced as to this progress.

                    

Course 23 58 O.T.U: Front row: P/O. Bendit, P/O. Banach, F/O. Andersz, Fl/Lt. Ridkosil, F/O. Preihs, P/O. Ciach, P/O. Birtus – Centre row: Sgt. Ziendalski, Sgt. Haczkiewicz, Sgt. Makowski, Sgt. Muszynski, Sgt. Gilis, Sgt. Orzechowski, Sgt. Plenkiewicz – Rear row: Sgt. Bednarz, Sgt. Starzynski, Sgt. Kierski, Sgt. Sztuka, Sgt. Murkowski, Sgt. Kobylinski

Note: The Spitfire was built at the Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory and was fitted with the Merlin 45 engine.


Burial Details:

Sgt. Tadeusz Orzechowski. Driffield Cemetery, Yorkshire. Grave 6194. Born 13th September 1921 in Lwów, Poland. N.o.K. details not yet available. He was buried on 26th November at a funeral with full military honours. 

(shown left)

Sgt. Robert Andrew Patterson. Brandesburton Churchyard. Grave 23. Son of Walter and Agnes Bernice Patterson, of Mossbank, Saskatchewan, Canada.




(1) Patterson Creek in Saskatchewan has been renamed after Sgt. Robert Andrew Patterson




Researched for relatives of both pilots with thanks 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 Captain 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', Andrew Mielnik: Archiwum - Polish Air Force Archive (on this site), Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, Polish graves: https://niebieskaeskadra.pl/, PoW Museum Żagań, 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 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 - 2026 Last Modified: 02 July 2019, 17:21

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