The Airmen's Stories - F/O W Lazoryk

Wlodzimierz Lazoryk was born on 27th August 1904 in Kolomyja, Poland.

Lazoryk was serving in the Polish Air Force before the war and in September 1939 he was CO of 152 Fighter Squadron. The squadron was in action over Warsaw but after the takeover of Poland he escaped to Romania.

His subsequent movements are currently undocumented but he passed through France and from there to England, arriving on 23rd June 1940.

Lazoryk was sent to 5 OTU to convert to Hurricanes and then joined 615 Squadron on 3rd October. After a few days he was posted to 607 Squadron at Turnhouse, arriving on 9th October 1940.

He was posted to 308 Squadron at Baginton on 15th February 1941 and served with it until 30th November 1941 when he was posted to 3 FTS South Cerney for a conversion course. Lazoryk went to 18 OTU Bramcote on 9th January 1942 and then joined 301 Squadron, operating in Wellingtons from Hemswell, on 15th June 1942.

He was awarded the KW and Bar (gazetted 20th August 1942) and a second Bar (gazetted 15th November 1942).

On 18th February 1943 Lazoryk was posted to 305 Squadron, also flying Wellingtons from Hemswell. He was awarded the VM (5th Class)(gazetted 20th February 1943).

Lazoryk was attached to HQ 9th Troop Carrier Command, USAAF on 22nd July 1945 as Polish Liaison Officer. He went on a course to the Polish Air Force Staff College in January 1945 and was instructing there from February 1946.

Lazoryk was released from the Polish Air Force in May 1946 as a Squadron Leader.

He must have emigrated to the USA postwar as he is recorded as dying on 8th January 1995 in Pennsylvania.