Operation: Patrol
Date: 11th August 1940 (Sunday)
Unit: No. 145 Squadron
Type: Hurricane I
Serial: V7294
Base: RAF Westhampnet, West Sussex
Location: South of the Needles, Isle of Wright
Pilot: F/O. Antoni Ostowicz K.W. and bar (1) 76705 Polish Air Force Age 29. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
Shot down by Me 109s during a patrol south of Swanage at 10.35 hrs. Just five minutes earlier another Hurricane from 145 squadron was also shot down, the pilot 26 year old, F/O. Guy Rawstron Branch EGM (2) was killed.
It has been reported that the Hurricane crashed on the Isle of Wright although we are unable to confirm this. He was not seen to bale out from his aircraft.
F/O. Antoni Ostowicz KW and bar
(1) Krzyż Walecznych or 'Cross of Valour'.
(2) Known as the 'Empire Gallantry Medal', awarded to military personnel for acts of gallantry not in the face of the enemy - known also as the George Cross awarded to civilians. F/O. Guy Branch received his award in 1937 - for full details see his page.
Burial Details:
None - missing. Although Germans reported that his body was washed up on shore. No grave has been found. The other pilot killed on the same day was washed up on the shores of France, he is buried at Quibervale Churchyard, near to his grave there is one marked "Unknown Airman".
F/O. Antoni Ostowicz K.W. and bar. Commemorated on the Polish War Memorial, Northolt and also the superb War Memorial Warsaw, Poland.
Acknowledgments: Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - 'Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945'. Other sources as shown below. Thanks also to Marek Rogusz who, together with Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak participated to place a memorial to F/O. Ostowicz in his home town. We hope to receive further details of this shortly.
KTY 05.09.2015 Map added
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember
them. - Laurence
Binyon
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