ZYGMUNT STANISLAW PIECHOWIAK

He was born on 4th April 1920 at Buk near Poznan and he joined the training school at Bydgoszcz in 1937. His course was shortened because of the war but he qualified as a wireless operator at Krosno in 1939. He was evacuated from his base at Luck to Romania and made his way to France and stayed there until the country fell to the Germans, when he moved to England. He finished his operational training there at 18 OTU at RAF Bramcote near Nuneaton in Warwickshire and was posted to 304 Squadron at RAF Tiree in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland.

He was a crew member of a Wellington that was jumped by 6 Ju88 fighters whilst on anti-submarine patrol near Bishop Rock on 16th September 1942. In a 12-15 minute battle, fought at 30 feet above sea level, this crew destroyed one enemy plane, saw large pieces break off the tailplane of another and scored hits on three more. In return they had a two yard square section of wing torn off by cannon fire and their petrol tank was pierced. They managed a power climb into the clouds and the action was broken off.

He was killed on R1413 which was shot down by three Junkers Ju88 German fighters of V/KG40 on 16th October 1942, whilst on patrol over the Bay of Biscay. Twice he sent out Mayday calls reporting the attack, but to no avail. His body was never found and he has no known grave.

The fatal blow was delivered by Uffizier Steurich on the second attack after R1413’s rear gunner had knocked out one engine on the first attack by Leutnant Dieter Meister, putting him out of the combat.



He was awarded the Cross of Valour three times and the Air Medal.