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Ludwik Wojturski was born on 3rd February 1912 (or so the records tell us). He always said he was born in 1916! He came from a small village on the outskirts of Lwow, and prior to WW11 he completed his National Service in the Polish Airforce.
At the outbreak of war he was a reservist, but was not mobilised.
On 10th February 1940 he was arrested, with his oldest brother, and their mother and put on a train for Siberia.
It was a bitterly cold Saturday when the train left the station. They were sent to a camp in Altai Krajski which is near the Mongolian border, but I never knew the name of the camp.
Under the amnesty issued by "Uncle Joe" they travelled overland to Persia and freedom. Dad and his brother had joined "Anders Army" in the U.S.S.R. on 7th February 1942.
On their arrival in Teheran Dad came under British Command. His mother died after a few days in Teheran from Typhus and is buried there.
His date of enrolment however in the RAF doesn't start until 12th June 1942. He had travelled to England via Bombay in India and Capetown in South Africa.
On left: Ludwik Wojturski with another member of the ground crew at work - can you name him? (courtesy Ann Siburuth)
2nd from left: Ludwik Wojturski with other ground crew - First chap on the left is Ludwick Marycki (recognised by his daughter - October 2015) are you able to name others? (courtesy Ann Siburuth)
Left: Jasiu Ludwik a friend of Ludwik, Right: Ludwik with another friend, Stanislaw Baliga, who are both thought to have returned to Poland after the war (courtesy Ann Siburuth)
Top left: Ludwick and friends. Right: Julek Wojturski - Ludwik's brother (courtesy Ann Siburuth)
Left: General Sikorski during a visit decorating Marian Belc - closest to camera is Jozef Jeka, Right: ground crew enjoying a pint - can you name any of these? (Courtesy Ann Siburuth)
Note:
Marian Belc killed during a training operation on 27th August 1942.
Jozef Jeka killed during an operation in France 21st May 1944
On 30 of May 1942 arrived in Glasgow, then joined Polish 306 Sqn, when he served until 1946. After the war he was planning to work as engine mechanic. He was a Lance corporal in 306 squadron and a flight mechanic. Service number was 703269. After the war he met up again with his brother Julian who had stayed with Anders Army. Dad decided to stay in England and was transferred to the Polish Resettlement Corps in East Wretham.
He was finally discharged in 1947 and was sent up to Lancashire to work in the cotton mills. He met my mother who worked in the N.A.A.F.I. at East Wretham.
306 Squadron, taken after the war: Sq/Ldr. Jozef Jeka is sitting behind the board with Squadron number. On his left Leszek Grzybowski, on his right Tadeusz Gora. Ludwik Wojturski is on the front row - 2nd from the right.
Further information supplied by Peter Sikora : L.A.C. (Polish rank plutonowy) Stanislaw Baliga 792682 born on the 12th December 1918 served as mechanic in 306 Squadron. Before the war he served in 6th Air Regiment in 64th Squadron as mechanic assistant. In England he was posted to No. 317 Squadron P.A.F. then 129 R.A.F. Before demobilisation served in 306 Squadron at R.A.F. Coltishall.
Dad sadly died on 26th August 1992, and took a lot of secrets to his grave.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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