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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.
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316 Squadron Crest
04.04.1943 No. 316 Squadron Spitfire IX BS189 F/O. Geca

Operation: Ramrod

Date: 04th April 1943 (Sunday)

Unit: No. 316 Squadron (City of Warsaw)

Type: Spitfire IX

Serial: BS189

Code: SZ-?

Base: RAF Northolt

Location: North of Rouen, France

Pilot: F/O. Bolesław Gęca P-1797 / 783463 PAF Age 25. Evaded

REASON FOR LOSS:

Had an earlier escape when on an escort operation. Spitfire AD119 was attacked by a Fw190. He managed to fly the aircraft back to Northolt, although the pilot was safe the aircraft was written off.

On this operation whilst escorting Boston Bombers on an operation to St. Omer, he was shot down some 10 miles north of Rouen. The pilot evaded capture and returned to his unit. With assistance from French resistance he reached Spain. The British Embassy moved him to Gibraltar and then onward travel to England.

His luck finally ran out on the 07th June the following year.

Flying with 306 Squadron on Mustang III FZ189 UZ-S when during a dive bombing attack a Bf109 hit the bomb he was carrying and the aircraft exploded over Blangyie-Ghâmeati. The pilot was killed.

Trained with 58 Operational Training Unit before joining 316 Squadron, served a short while with 164 Squadron before joining 306 Squadron.

Burial details:

Later: Initially buried at Blangy-le-Chateau, but reinterred after the end of the war at location shown. Also commemorated on the Polish War Memorial, RAF Northolt, Middlesex and the memorial for missing airman in Warsaw.

Fl/Lt. Bolesław Gęca. Polish War Cemetery. Langannerie, France. Grave II.AA.I. Born on the on 23rd December 1917 at Głusk, Lubin, Poland. Son of Karol and Józefa Gęca.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to Archiwum Mielnika, Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - 'Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945' other sources as quoted below:

KTY 12.12.2019

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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.
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