TUCZEMSKI Jerzy Ryszard Pilot Officer P-2124
Pilot Officer Jerzy Tuczemski – Service number P-2124 was killed on 15th August 1943 only a few weeks after transferring into 315 Squadron.
His service number indicates that he was probably one of the first Polish fighter pilots in Britain. It is likely that he was a member of one of the French Groupes de Chase (fighter squadrons) which were formed shortly before the capitulation of France in June 1940.
Usually 3 Poles were sent to each G de C. Prior to this the Poles were widely scattered in the French Air Force (Armee de l’Air) and not exclusively in to Polish squadrons as they were in Britain.
It would not be unreasonable to suppose that he had fought in Poland, France and Britain.
The story varies, according to reports but they are closely similar.
He was involved in a training exercise and some say he was killed whilst attempting to land, others say he was flying at very low level but all agree that he struck something on the ground.
He was flying a Mk Vc Supermarine Spitfire Registration Number AB245 and bearing the squadron code PK-L.
PK indicates 315 Squadron and L is the individual code letter for the aircraft.
He was killed instantly, which was merciful because of the fireball that enveloped the stricken aircraft.
The crash site was just to the north east of Ballymena.
He was buried with full military honours at Ballycranbeg, County Down.
315 Squadron arrived at RAF Ballyhalbert on 6th July 1943 from RAF Hutton Cranswick and left on 13th November 1943 for RAF Heston.
They were sent there to rest and train newer members and were not in active combat during that time;
the squadron commander was J. Poplawski.
Other than the information in above, the following incidents occurred:
8-Jul-43 Supermarine Spitfire V BL852 PK-? F/Sgt F. Malczewski was injured and the aircraft was written off in a training accident.
2-Sep-43. Supermarine Spitfire V BM531 PK-V. F/Sgt J. Malec was safe but this aircraft was written off in an accident on a ferry flight delivering the plane to the squadron.
5-Sep-43. Supermarine Spitfire V EP280 PK-Y. Sgt R. Sadowski was injured in a training accident and the aircraft was written off.
9-Sep-43. Supermarine Spitfire V W3937 PK-N. Sgt H. Flegier was safe but the aircraft was written off in a training accident.
5-Oct-43. Supermarine Spitfire V BL922 PK-I. Sgt H. Flegier, who had survived the previous incident, was Killed on Active Service when the aircraft lost power and crashed at Ballyherbert during a low flying exercise.
9-Oct-43. Supermarine Spitfire V BM144 PK-O. F/Sgt K. Lojek was injured and the aircraft written off during a training accident.
see: www.waryearsremembered.co.uk
Aug 15. The unit took part in a full-scale defense exercise and suffered a loss. Entry from Station Diary for RAF Ballyhalbert reads: "P/O Tuczemski (KAS) of 315 (Polish) Squadron, whilst taking part in an authorized low-flying practice, flew into rising ground north-east of Ballymena, Co-Antrim, and was killed instantly, his aircraft being burnt out. In accordance with Polish custom, he was interred on the third day after death. His funeral took place at Ballycran and was attended by almost the whole of his Squadron. An escort party was also provided of British personnel and W/C Hancock attended as representative of the Station Commander, who was absent on duty. Full military honors were accorded and many beautiful wreaths were sent". Polish records state the August 22nd as day of this accident.
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Lab/9431/1943ci.html
22-Aug-43. Supermarine Spitfire V AB245 PK-L. P/O J. Tuczemski. KAS
Crashed near Ballymena (N. Ireland) after a hitting an obstacle during landing on a training flight.
http://www.geocities.com/capecanaveral/lab/9431/315Losses.html
The tragic aspect of the R.A.F. presence in the Parish is brought home to us by the graves of some of the Catholic R.A.F. personnel who were killed in action and who are buried along the far wall of the “old graveyard” in Ballycran. They are as follows:
W B McManus Pilot Officer Jan 7 1942 aged 27
W B Willis Radio Officer May 26 1942
J R Tuczemski Polish Force Aug 22 1943 aged 24
W Kolak Polish Forces Sept 11 1943 aged 26
S Crondowski Polish Forces Sept 11 1943 aged 34
F W McCarry Lieutenant, Royal Navy Sept 8 1945 aged 25
http://www.parishofardkeen.com/Parish%20OF%20ARDKEEN%20FROM%201700%20rm.htm
Source: https://zamoyski.edu.pl/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/1958.pdf p. 17
http://www.waryearsremembered.co.uk/home/POLISH.htm
http://forums.diecast-aviation.eu/showthread.php?t=4730
http://www.niebieskadra.pl
TUCZEMSKI Jerzy Ryszard Pilot Officer P-2124
Pilot Officer Jerzy Tuczemski – Service number P-2124 was killed on 15th August 1943 only a few weeks after transferring into 315 Squadron.
His service number indicates that he was probably one of the first Polish fighter pilots in Britain. It is likely that he was a member of one of the French Groupes de Chase (fighter squadrons) which were formed shortly before the capitulation of France in June 1940.
Usually 3 Poles were sent to each G de C. Prior to this the Poles were widely scattered in the French Air Force (Armee de l’Air) and not exclusively in to Polish squadrons as they were in Britain.
It would not be unreasonable to suppose that he had fought in Poland, France and Britain.
The story varies, according to reports but they are closely similar.
He was involved in a training exercise and some say he was killed whilst attempting to land, others say he was flying at very low level but all agree that he struck something on the ground.
He was flying a Mk Vc Supermarine Spitfire Registration Number AB245 and bearing the squadron code PK-L.
PK indicates 315 Squadron and L is the individual code letter for the aircraft.
He was killed instantly, which was merciful because of the fireball that enveloped the stricken aircraft.
The crash site was just to the north east of Ballymena.
He was buried with full military honours at Ballycranbeg, County Down.
Aug 15. The unit took part in a full-scale defence exercise and suffered a loss. Entry from Station Diary for RAF Ballyhalbert reads:
"P/O Tuczemski (Killed on Active Service) of 315 (Polish) Squadron, whilst taking part in an authorized low-flying practice, flew into rising ground north-east of Ballymena, Co-Antrim, and was killed instantly, his aircraft being burnt out. In accordance with Polish custom, he was interred on the third day after death. His funeral took place at Ballycran and was attended by almost the whole of his Squadron. An escort party was also provided of British personnel and W/C Hancock attended as representative of the Station Commander, who was absent on duty. Full military honours were accorded and many beautiful wreaths were sent".
Polish records state the August 22nd as the date of this accident.
315 Squadron arrived at RAF Ballyhalbert on 6th July 1943 from RAF Hutton Cranswick and left on 13th November 1943 for RAF Heston.
They were sent there to rest and train newer members and were not in active combat during that time;
the squadron commander was J. Poplawski.
Other than the information in above, the following incidents occurred:
8-Jul-43 Supermarine Spitfire V BL852 PK-? F/Sgt F. Malczewski was injured and the aircraft was written off in a training accident.
2-Sep-43. Supermarine Spitfire V BM531 PK-V. F/Sgt J. Malec was safe but this aircraft was written off in an accident on a ferry flight delivering the plane to the squadron.
5-Sep-43. Supermarine Spitfire V EP280 PK-Y. Sgt R. Sadowski was injured in a training accident and the aircraft was written off.
9-Sep-43. Supermarine Spitfire V W3937 PK-N. Sgt H. Flegier was safe but the aircraft was written off in a training accident.
5-Oct-43. Supermarine Spitfire V BL922 PK-I. Sgt H. Flegier, who had survived the previous incident, was Killed on Active Service when the aircraft lost power and crashed at Ballyherbert during a low flying exercise.
9-Oct-43. Supermarine Spitfire V BM144 PK-O. F/Sgt K. Lojek was injured and the aircraft written off during a training accident.
We have had made progress with the work that we have done with in the Polish community and hope that it continues builds and grows
as not only have we the ties with Ballyhalbert and the Polish Airmen but with the 38th Irish Brigade fighting through Italy and to Monte Cassino
"LEST WE FORGET"
The memorial established in August 2023 reads:
Miłość Żąda Ofiary
In memory of Pilot Officer Jerzy Ryszard Tuczemski
from No 315 City of Dęblin Polish Fighter Squadron
killed when his SpitfireVB AB245PK-L fatally crash at Craigs Wood,
Long Mountain on 22 August 1943
Lest We Forget
Oorzaak: killed in action
http://forums.diecast-aviation.eu/showthread.php?t=4730
P/O Tuczemski was buried, in line with Polish custom, on the third day after his death, in a huge funeral in Ballycranbeg. He was buried with full military honours, including an escort of British personnel and Wing Commander Hancock, who represented the Station Commander.