AR banner
Search Tips Advanced Search
Back to Top

• Kracker Archive
• Allied Losses
• Archiwum Polish
• Paradie Canadian
• RCAF
• RAAF
• RNZAF
• USA
• Searchable Lists

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.

303 Squadron Crest
01.11.1944 No. 303 Squadron Spitfire F.IX MH910 RF-G Sgt. Jan Wierchowicz

Operation: Armed Recce

Date: 1st November 1944

Unit: No. 303 Squadron (Polish)

Type: Spitfire F.IX

Serial: MH910

Code: RF-G

Base RAF Coltishall

Location: West of Amsterdam.

Pilot: Sgt. Jan Wierchowicz KW (x2) ML 794984 PAF Age 27. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Shot down at 15.30hrs when attacking barges.

Report by W/O. Władysław Sznapka(1):
'I was assigned on this rec. as commander of 2 section. Jan was my wing man. We were at 7,500 ft whilst the leading section were at 6,500 ft.
To the west of Amsterdam the leading section attacked two small ships flying from west to east.
We jettisoned our reserve tanks and with Jan along side me we also attacked. After I pulled up, I couldn’t see Jan but recall I saw a strip of fire under his aircraft during the attack. I tried to call him, but he failed to reply. The time of the attack was 15.30 hrs.'

(1) W/O. Wladysław Sznapka survived the war, remaining in England. He died in Blackpool 1984-04-17

Burial Details:

Sgt. Jan Wierchowicz. Amsterdam New Eastern Cemetery. Grave D.3. Row 69. No. 82. Further information: Born on 1st April 1918 at Sebastianów, Poland. First imprisoned by the USSR, after release he fled to England, arriving on 2nd January 1942. Trained at 61 OTU before being posted to 303 Squadron. Awarded the Krzyz Walecznych (Cross of Valour) (x2) posthumously.

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 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: 27 March 2021, 19:33

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