The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. S Wojtowicz

Stefan Wojtowicz was born in Wynich, Poland on 19th June 1919. Wojtowicz entered the Polish Air Force NCO’s School at Bydgoszcz in 1936. He qualified as a fighter pilot at Krosno in 1939 and was posted to the 1st Air Force Regiment, Warsaw, joining 111 Fighter Squadron.

Wojtowicz was evacuated to Romania on 18th September 1939 and eventually made his way to France, where he joined l'Armee de l'Air. In May 1940 he was in a Polish formation defending the base at Nantes. When France collapsed Wojtowicz escaped to Britain.

He joined 303 Squadron at Northolt at its formation on 2nd August 1940. His engine was damaged in combat with Me109s over the Channel on 3rd September and Wojtowicz landed at Woodchurch, near Tenterden in Hurricane R2688, slightly injured.

On the 7th he claimed two Do17s destroyed and on the 11th a Me109 and another probable.

Wojtowicz was shot down and killed on 11th September in combat south of London. His Hurricane, V7242, crashed and burned out on Hogtrough Hill, Westerham. During this engagement he may have shot down a Me109.

He is buried in Northwood Cemetery, Middlesex and remembered on the Polish Air Force Memorial at Northolt.