Born Friday, 3rd August 1917 in Zielen village near Torun. Died Friday, February 12th 2014. Age 97
Exchanged a 'liberated' Bf 109 with the Americans for a bottle of whisky.
Later, on 17th of September he crossed Romanian border where he was interned. Preihs and his colleagues were promoted to the podporucznik's rank (first officer's rank of the PAF Because of the circumstances it was decided that all cadets of the XIII Graduation completed their course). After successful escape from camp he sailed from Balcik and crossed Black Sea and via Malta arrived in France.
In France he trained in Bordeaux, flying obsolete Potez 540 planes. After the French collapse he was evacuated to United Kingdom. On the 25th March 1941 posted to the 25 Polish Flying Training School in Hucknall, then in April on to 2nd Signal School in Yatesbury. 15th June 1942 he was posted to 58 OTU in Grangemouth. Finally on the 14th September 1942 he was posted to Polish 302 - City of Poznan Squadron, flying Spitfire V's.
On the 5th April 1943 he was transferred to newly formed Polish 318 City of Gdansk Fighter and Reconnaissance Squadron at Detling (initially equipped with Hurricanes). In August, together with his unit Preihs left for Egypt, then Palestine and finally Italy. He was commanding C Flight.Captured and 'purchased' Bf109 shown right
In Italy he met his future wife, Katarzyna Ćukaszewicz (a soldier with the Polish 2 Corps). After the war (1989) together with his wife, he gathered materials related to the XIII Graduation publishing a great research book. (Czyz mogli dac wiecej -Did they give more?) Shown below.
He owned a small business in Woodbridge, Suffolk, England, where he settled, repairing antiques.
Hw as awarded the Krzyz Walecznych (Cross of Valour) & Bar, the Medal Lotniczy (Air Medal) & Bar, plus the Odznaka Za Rany i Kontuzje (Wound Badge).
Jan Preihs died on Friday, 12th February 2014. He will be greatly missed by his many friends.
Above: Peter Sikora with Jan Preihs
His published works: Czyz mogli dac wiecej