The Airmen's Stories - P/O M Rozwadowski

Mieczyslaw Rozwadowski was born on 30th May 1915 and was serving in the Polish Air Force before the war. In September 1939 he was in action with their 111 Squadron and on the 8th he shared in the destruction of a Hs126.

When Poland fell, Rozwadowski escaped to join the Polish airmen congregating in Romania. He did not follow the route taken by many of his comrades, to France and service in the Armee de l'Air, but made his way directly to England, where he was commissioned in the RAF on 24th January 1940.

He was processed into the RAF through the centre at Blackpool and it is likely that he would have been sent for assessment to 15 EFTS at Carlisle followed by conversion to Hurricanes at 6 OTU Sutton Bridge.

He transferred to the Polish Air Force in England on 6th August and then joined 151 Squadron at Martlesham Heath on 8th August.

Rozwadowski failed to return from a combat with Me109s over the Channel off Dover on 15th August. He was reported Missing in Hurricane I V7410.

Rozwadowski, aged 25, is commemorated on the Polish Air Force Memorial at Northolt.

He was awarded the KW (gazetted 10th September 1941) and Bar (gazetted 31st October 1947).