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.
609 squadron badge
20.09.1943 No. 609 Squadron Typhoon JP745 PR-L P/O. Turek

Operation: Rhubarb

Date: 20th September 1943 (Monday)

Unit: No. 609 Squadron

Type: Typhoon IB

Serial: JP745

Code: PR-L

Base: RAF Lympne

Location: English Channel off Le Treport, France

Pilot: P/O. Tadeusz S. Turek P-2217 PAF Age ? Survived.

We welcome any further information on Tadeusz from his family/friends.

REASON FOR LOSS:

Took off during the afternoon of the 20th September on a Rhubarb operation. Hit by flak and ditched in the Channel. 

            

Found and rescued two days later by a Walrus air sea rescue aircraft.

Has had a couple of very narrow escapes in addition to this.

On the 27th May 1942 whilst with 308 Squadron having joined the day previously from 58 OTU, his engine seized on his Spitfire but he managed to land at Scarborough. In December 1942 during a strafing attack on a train he was hit by anti-aircraft fire. He made his way back to England when over the Channel his engine packed up. He managed to restart it and made a landing in England with no injuries to himself. Cat. 'B' damage to the Typhoon.

Course 19-2 at 58 O.T.U. Grangemouth, Scotland: Front row: F/O. Blaszczyk (1), P/O. Legowski, F/O. Kon, F/O. Peathy-Johns, F/O. Watts, P/O. Short, P/O. Rowlands - Rear row: Sgt. Allen, Sgt. Armstrong, Sgt. Tushingham, Sgt. Zimek, Sgt. Turek, Sgt. Siemienczuk (2), Sgt. Szymonski, Sgt. Bruce.

(1) Fl/Lt Jan Blaszczyk P-0560 Killed 3rd December 1943, 318 Squadron Hurricane IIb BP135.
(2) Sgt. Tadeusz Siemienczuk 783163 killed 17th April 1942, 58 OTU Spitfire Ia R7073

Burial Details:

None,  P/O. Tadeusz Turek survived the war. Became a school teacher and settled in England. No further details thereafter. We welcome any further information on Tadeusz from his family/friends.

Researched for relatives of the pilot. With thanks to the following for further information supplied, Peter Sikora, Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses' Vo. 2, The 1333 (Grangemouth Spitfire) Squadron and the Grangemouth Spitfire Memorial Trust who provided the webmaster with so much information and assistance during his visit.

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: 17 January 2015, 01:40

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