MARIAN LESZEK NOWAK

He was born on 24th February 1916 in Jedrzejow in Kielce province and he joined the training school in Bydgoszcz in 1933. He qualified as an aircraft mechanic in 1936 and was posted to the 1st Air Regiment in Warsaw. He took part in the September Campaign and was evacuated to France and then on to England when France fell.
He worked as ground crew until 19th July 1941 when he started pilot training which he completed on 4th February 1942. After more training and two spells at the Blackpool Depot, on 19th August 1942, he went to RAF Cosford at Shifnal, Shropshire for four weeks officer training. After this he was commissioned as a Flying Officer and sent to 6 Anti-aircraft Co-operation Unit at RAF Cark in Cumberland (now Cumbria) to build up his flying experience. However, only five days later he was recalled to 18OTU to complete his operational training and then he was posted to 304 Squadron at RAF Dale in Pembrokeshire, Wales on 12th October 1942.

On 3rd July 1943 he was on board Wellington bomber HZ575 flying on an anti-submarine patrol from RAF Davidstow Moor in Cornwall. This aircraft was probably shot down by German fighters about 40 miles North west of Brest, France whilst on a Musketry anti-submarine patrol. He was awarde the Air Medal.