AR banner
Search Tips Advanced Search
Back to Top

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.
145 squadron crest
11.08.1940 No 145 Squadron Hurricane I V7294 F/O. Ostowicz

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.

Left: War Memorial to missing airman, Warsaw, Poland Right: Polish Memorial at Northolt.

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.

Born on 22nd May 1911 in Rożdżałów, Poland. Promoted to 2nd Lt. in the Polish Air Force on 15th August 1934. At the outbreak of war he was serving as an instructor at Dęblin Ułęż airfield. Following his escape to France he left for England in December 1939. Joined 145 Squadron on the 16th July 1940 at RAF Tangmere - shooting down a Heinkel just 3 days later, shared with P/O. Newlingiem. The was the first victory for a Polish pilot in the Battle of Britain. His awards of the KW and bar gazetted on the 1st February 1941.

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

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 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.
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 buy research books from Amazon •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 - 2023 Last Modified: 11 March 2021, 13:14

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