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.

316 Squadron crest
17.06.1943 No. 316 Squadron Spitfire IX BR143 SZ-Q Fl/Lt. Stefan Stegman K.W. Bar

Operation: Circus (Béthune, France)

Date: 17th June 1943

Unit: No. 316 Squadron (Polish)

Type: Spitfire IX

Serial: BR143

Code: SZ-Q

Base: R.A.F. Northolt

Location: North Sea off Ostend, Brugge, Belgium

Pilot: Fl/Lt. Stefan Stegman K.W. Bar P-76711 P.A.F. Age 28. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Escorting a force of 23 Blenheims on a large circus operation to the power station near Béthune, northern France. 

                     

                     

The bombing raid was a success and none of the 23 Blenheims were lost although several of the escort were hit and damaged, thought to be by F.W. 190’s from JG26. The combat occurred at 09.15hrs with the aircraft coming down in the North Sea off Brugge, Belgium. His body was washed up on the shore at Ostend July 3rd.

                     

Above: Oostende New Cemetery – with insert grave of Fl/Lt. Stegaman. Left: F/O. Stegman

Burial Details:

Fl/Lt. Stefan Stegman. Oostende New Communal Cemetery. Plot 9B. Row. 5. Grave 20. Born on October 15th, 1910. Escaped to England in 1939 joining R.A.F. in January 1940. After further training, he joined 229 Squadron at Northolt on September 26th 1940. 

Posted to the newly-formed 316 Squadron at Pembrey on March 22nd 1941. Tour complete, went to 58 O.T.U., Grangemouth, Scotland on November 28th 1941, as an instructor. Rejoined 316, then stationed at Heston, on May 15th 1942. He was awarded the KW (gazetted 15th November 1942). 

Stegman was appointed Flight Commander on March 14th 1943.

Aircrew Remembered would like to thank Robert Gretzyngier, Woitek Matusiak, Wadldemar Wojcik and Josef Zielinski for the use of some of these photographs. We highly recommend their publications regarding WW2 Polish Air Force and are happy to provide other researchers information where they can be purchased.

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 - 2024
Last Modified: 02 July 2019, 14:09

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