Jerzy Główczewski

 WW II uncovered

 

WW II uncovered Jerzy Główczewski: Spitfire Pilot of the No. 308 "City of Kraków" Polish Fighter Squadron: Last Surviving Polish Fighter Pilot of the RAF

At the age of 17 years old Jerzy Główczewski left Poland on 17 September 1939. He fled to Romania and then to Palestine. Jerzy joined the Polish military and was assigned to the Polish Independent Carpathian Brigade under General Stanisław Kopański - serving in Egypt and Tobruk. In December 1941, the Polish Brigade seized the important Madauar Hill, in the town of Acroma, and broke through to the Eighth Army. In recognition of their impact on the battle, the Polish soldiers were awarded the prestigious title of "Rats of Tobruk" by their Australian brothers-in-arms. (AWM)

"Jerzy Główczewski would then undergo flight training with the RAF. Serving with the No. 308 "City of Kraków" Polish Fighter Squadron. The Squadron operated over France before its transfer to the 2nd Tactical Air Force as a fighter-bomber Squadron. The Squadron then followed the Allied advance across Europe after the Normandy Landings in 1944."

"Główczewski flew 100 combat missions during the war. For his service, Jerzy received three Polish Crosses of Valour, the Air Medal and the Field Pilot’s Sign (No. 1696). Główczewski attained the rank of Flight Sergeant before being discharged."

"After the war Jerzy returned to Warsaw and studied at The Warsaw University of Technology, earning a degree in architecture in 1952. He would stay in Warsaw to help with rebuilding until his departure for the United States in 1962." (See references below)

Relocating to New York he worked at the Ford Foundation and for the UN, also teaching architecture at Pratt Institute in New York City.

Flight Sergeant Jerzy Główczewski passed away on 13 April 2020 at the age of 97 years old. Lest We Forget.

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WWII uncovered original description and photos sourced by IWM, AWM, The New York Times, Find a Grave Database and BFBS Broadcasting Archive. (Fair Use Photos)