The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. B Olewinski

Boleslaw Olewinski was born in Jersey City, USA on 26th October 1919. He returned to Poland and entered the Polish Air Force NCO Training School at Bydgoszcz in 1936. He qualifield as a pilot at Krosno in 1939, was posted to the 1st Air Force Regiment, Warsaw and joined 114 Fighter Squadron.

Olewinski was shot down over Warsaw in a PZL P11c in one of the first engagements on 1st September 1939. He was burned and admitted to hospital, later being evacuated with other patients to Romania.

After eventually reaching France, he went on to England, arriving on 20th February 1940. He continued training and then joined 111 Squadron at Dyce on 19th October.

He was killed on 3rd November 1940 when he was shot down by return fire from a He111 engaged thirty miles east of Bamburgh, Northumberland. His Hurricane, V6560, crashed into the sea.

Olewinski is remembered on the Polish Air Force Memorial at Northolt.