The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. T Andruszkow

Born in Lwow on November 18th 1920, Tadeusz Andruszkow entered the Polish Air Force NCO's Training School at Bydgoszcz in 1936. He qualified as a fighter pilot at Krosno in 1939, was posted to the 6th Air Force Regiment, Lwow and joined the 162nd Fighter Squadron.

After the fighting in September 1939 the unit was evacuated to Romania. Andruszkow eventually reached France where he began to train on French aircraft. When France fell he escaped to England, arriving in July 1940. After a Hurricane conversion course Andruszkow was posted to 303 Squadron at Northolt on August 21st. He claimed a share in destroying a Do17 on September 15th. On the same day he was himself shot down in combat with Me109's over Dartford and baled out, unhurt. His Hurricane, P3939, is believed to be the one which crashed that day in Lower Stoke.

Andruszkow claimed a He111 destroyed on September 26th. On the following morning he was shot down over Horsham and killed when his aircraft, Hurricane V7246, crashed in flames at Holywych Farm, Cowden. Andruszkow was 19 years old and is buried in Northwood Cemetery, Middlesex. He was posthumously awarded the KW (gazetted 1st February 1941).

Above: Andruszkow is also commemorated on the Polish War Memorial at Northolt