STEFAN PILAT

He was born on 24th November 1918 in Karczmiska near Pulawy and entered the training school at Bydgoszcz in 1934; he qualified as a wireless operator in 1937 and was attached to the 1st Air Regiment in Warsaw. On 1st October 1937 he was posted to 214 Bomber Squadron for operational training as a wireless operator/air gunner and completed the course on 31st May 1938.

He was retained as an instructor and then took part in the September Campaign. Unfortunately he was captured by the Russians on 18th September 1939 as he tried to leave the country; he was deported to Russia. There is no information on his time there except that he was released on 21st August 1941 to join the Polish Army that was being formed by General Anders following the attack by Germany on Russia.

On 1st February 1942, by an uncertain route, he arrived in England and was sent to the Polish Depot in Blackpool. Between 2nd March and 13th November 1942 he trained as a wireless operator at 1 Signal School, RAF Cranwell at Sleaford, Lincolnshire and immediately began gunnery training at 8 Air Gunnery School at RAF Evanton near Invergordon, Scotland; he completed this on 19th December 1942 and returned to Blackpool. He did a further month training at 11 Signal School and was sent to 6OTU for operational training on 23rd February 1943.

Now fully trained, he was posted to 304 Squadron on 15th April 1943 at RAF Docking, Norfolk where he was to fly anti-submarine missions. His career with them was short lived. He was on board Wellington bomber HZ575 flying out of RAF Davidstow Moor on 3rd July 1943 which was probably shot down by German fighters about 40 miles North west of Brest, France whilst on a Musketry anti-submarine patrol.

He was awarded the Air Medal.