AR banner
Search Tips Advanced Search
Back to Top

Info LogoAdd to or correct this story with a few clicks.
Archive Report: Allied Forces

Compiled from official National Archive and Service sources, contemporary press reports, personal logbooks, diaries and correspondence, reference books, other sources, and interviews.
Check our Research databases: Database List

.

We seek additional information and photographs. Please contact us via the Helpdesk.

303 Squadron Crest
27.04.1942 No. 303 Squadron Spitfire VB AA940 RF-E Fl/Lt. Kołodyński

Operation: Circus 143 - Ostend.

Date: 27th April 1942 (Monday)

Unit: No. 303 Squadron

Type: Spitfire Vb

Serial: AA940

Coded: RF-E

Location: Near Lille, France

Pilot: Fl/Lt. Stefan Michał Kołodyński 76637 PAF PoW. Stalag Luft Sagan

REASON FOR LOSS:

Shot down over France by Hptm Joachim Muncheberg, II/JG26, his 73rd victory, his 2nd that day. At 14:10 hrs the RAF were detected south of Margate, the Geschwader scrambled again.

An attack on Ostend by six Bostons escorted and supported by eleven Spitfire squadrons was underway. One Boston lost to the Ostend flak.

Ten miles off Dunkirk, Hptm. Muncheberg and Oblt. Ebersberger shot down two Tangmere Wing Spitfires - one piloted by the Wing Commander 27 year old, Petrus Hendrik Hugo DFC) who was subsequently rescued. The other 26 year old, P/O. Marie Joseph Robert Larcher 120862 RAFVR from Mauritius who was sadly listed as missing - believed killed.

Fl/Lt. Kolodyński escorted away by German guards following combat. (courtesy Wojtek Matusiak)

Spitfire AA940 RF-E after capture of Fl/Lt. Kolodyński (courtesy Wojtek Matusiak)

Above: Hptm. Joachim Muncheberg

With thanks to Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - "Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945".

KTY Updated 02.08.2019

Pages of Outstanding Interest
History Airborne Forces •  Soviet Night Witches •  Bomber Command Memories •  Abbreviations •  Gardening Codenames
CWGC: Your Relative's Grave Explained •  USA Flygirls •  Axis Awards Descriptions •  'Lack Of Moral Fibre'
Concept of Colonial Discrimination  •  Unauthorised First Long Range Mustang Attack
RAAF Bomb Aimer Evades with Maquis •  SOE Heroine Nancy Wake •  Fane: Motor Racing PRU Legend
Acknowledgements
Sources used by us in compiling Archive Reports include: Bill Chorley - 'Bomber Command Losses Vols. 1-9, plus ongoing revisions', Dr. Theo E.W. Boiten and Mr. Roderick J. Mackenzie - 'Nightfighter War Diaries Vols. 1 and 2', Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt - 'Bomber Command War Diaries', Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Tom Kracker - Kracker Luftwaffe Archives, Michel Beckers, Major Fred Paradie (RCAF) and MWO François Dutil (RCAF) - Paradie Archive (on this site), Jean Schadskaje, Major Jack O'Connor USAF (Retd.), Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - 'Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945', Archiwum - Polish Air Force Archive (on this site), Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses', Stan D. Bishop, John A. Hey MBE, Gerrie Franken and Maco Cillessen - Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces, Vols 1-6, Dr. Theo E.W. Boiton - Nachtjagd Combat Archives, Vols 1-13. Aircrew Remembered Databases and our own archives. We are grateful for the support and encouragement of CWGC, UK Imperial War Museum, Australian War Memorial, Australian National Archives, New Zealand National Archives, UK National Archives and Fold3 and countless dedicated friends and researchers across the world.
Click any image to enlarge it

Click to add your info via ticket on Helpdesk •Click to let us know via ticket on Helpdesk• Click to buy research books from Amazon •Click to explore the entire site
If you would like to comment on this page, please do so via our Helpdesk. Use the Submit a Ticket option to send your comments. After review, our Editors will publish your comment below with your first name, but not your email address.

A word from the Editor: your contribution is important. We welcome your comments and information. Thanks in advance.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
All site material (except as noted elsewhere) is owned or managed by Aircrew Remembered and should not be used without prior permission.
© Aircrew Remembered 2012 - 2024
Last Modified: 20 March 2021, 13:20

Monitor Additions/Changes?Click to be informed of changes to this page. Create account for first monitor only, thereafter very fast. Click to close without creating monitor