IN MEMORY OF MY GREAT-UNCLE
by Alicja, MPPA
Spitifires of 65 Squadron 13 August 1940. Photo from Book Finding the Few.
Franciszek Gruszka
“For our freedom and yours”
This autumn sees the 80th anniversary of the end of the Battle of Britain, and we must not forget about the Polish pilots who stood side by side their British comrades during Europe’s darkest hours fighting. In total 31 out of the 145 of 'Polish Airmen' who took part in the Battle of Britain died in action.
In this article, I will bring to life an incredible story of one of my relatives. Polish Pilot Franciszek 'Frank' GRUSZKA, who sacrificed his life for 'our freedom'.
At the age of 24, Franciszek graduated with honours from the Polish Air Force School of Eagles in 1934 as a Second Lieutenant and was promoted to Lt in 1937 serving then as a senior pilot and instructor in the 6th Polish Air Force Regiment in Lwow, his home town.
After the outbreak of World War II Gruszka fought against Nazi Germany with the Polish Army. He is believed to have shot down a Heinkel 111 during September campaign. However, with unprepared Poland facing inevitable defeat, in order to avoid capture, on 17 September 1939, Franciszek was ordered to leave to France, arriving in Paris on 7 October 1939. In December 1939 he was one of the first Polish fighter pilots to arrive in Great Britain. He underwent training on the Supermarine Spitfire and was commissioned as Flying Officer (F/O) and posted to No. 65 "East India" Squadron based at RAF Hornchurch.
Franciszek was eager to fight. He made a note in his personal diary addressed to his family: “I am very pleased. I am about to face the fight (…) I will meet with the Germans, and I will avenge our wrongs. I do not know when I will die, but you will be proud of me that I was killed in a fight with an equal opponent, in defence of Your freedom, this will be one of many sacrifices for you, who are living in anguish (…) I am ready to sell my life, but for a very expensive price...”.
In days before his tragic death, he wrote a letter to his friend: “To die here is very easy and sooner or later the same things is waiting for me. If you ever come back to the country, tell my family (…) that I fought for freedom of our Homeland and fulfilled my obligation. I loved it the best I could, and if I gave my life, I gave it for Your life and the whole generations...”.
On 18 August 1940 Gruszka took off in Spitfire R6713 to intercept a German bomber formation. That day that saw a dramatic and heavy raid from the Germans Luftwaffe. Amongst the ten RAF fighter pilots who never returned back, was Franciszek.
According to the Ministry of Defence records, it was indicated that: “Flying Officer Gruszka was last seen chasing enemy aircraft between Canterbury and Maidstone at about 14:50hrs on 18 August 1940”. He was classified by the RAF as MIA.
In 1975 a World War II aviation archaeology group found the remnants of an air-plane and its pilot over at East Sussex. Because of the swampy nature of the ground, after 35 years Gruszka's uniform, Polish Air Force emblem and some personal belongings remained in good condition. Identification of the body was possible due to a golden fountain pen with an engraved dedication from his fellow pilots.
F/O Franciszek Gruszka was buried with full British military honours at the Polish War Memorial on the outskirts of RAF Northolt, London (grave no. H202) on 17 July 1975 and he was awarded posthumously with 1939–45 Star with Battle of Britain clasp, Air Crew Europe Star, and War Medal 1939–1945.
Pilots who were close friends with Gruszka, Dave Glaser and the fellow Pole Boleslaw Drobinski were instrumental in getting the RAF to undertake the excavations of the crash-site where his remains were discovered. At the time Boleslaw Drobinski made the following statement: “I was very pleased to find myself in the same squadron (No 65) in which Gruszka was serving (…) He made friends easily and there was a young Pilot Officer, Dave Glaser, who become Gruszka's close friend and was teaching him English. In turn, Gruszka was trying to teach him some Polish! Altogether there was a feeling of great friendliness in the squadron and so we, the Poles, especially appreciated it. So, when on 18 August 1940 Gruszka was posted missing there was a genuine sadness in the whole squadron”.
My great-uncle died a hero's death and he shall never be forgotten. This story is just one of many stories of Polish soldiers, who sacrificed their lives, fighting on a foreign land for the freedom of future generations.