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| The Poles of 609
The Polish pilots who flew and fought as members of 609 Squadron
Seven Polish pilots fought “Under The White Rose” during World War Two. Four of them joined the squadron in 1940, flying Supermarine Spitfires under Squadron Leader Horace ‘George’ Darley throughout the Battle of Britain. Three more later joined to fly the Hawker Typhoon.
The
first to report were Flying Officer Tadeusz ‘Novo’ Nowierski. ‘Novo’ was
born in Warsaw on 22nd June 1907. He joined the Polish Army Air Force
in 1929 and completed his flying training in the 1st Air Regiment,
subsequently becoming an NCO flying instructor under the command of Janusz
Meissner. Commissioned in 1935 as a Junior Lieutenant, he was posted to the 24th
Light Bomber Flight, 2nd Air Regiment, at Cracow. ‘Novo’s’
first operations were bombing and ground attack sorties against the German 16th
Panzer Corps, who were approaching Czestochowa. Attacked from the east by
Russian forces, the Polish Military resistance was overwhelmed and Warsaw was
beleaguered. With lines of communication cut off, the Commander – In – Chief
of the Polish Armed Forces sent his orders to the Commanding General in Warsaw
via Lieutenant Nowierski. Flying at treetop height through intensive flak, Novo
landed in the city and delivered the dispatches. After a successful return
flight he and several other comrades escaped to Romania before moving through
France to England. Completing
a Spitfire OTU course, Novo was posted to 609 (West Riding) Squadron. Allocated
to B flight under Flight Lieutenant MacArthur, and with very few words of
English, Novo opened his score against the Luftwaffe on the 13th August 1940 – ‘Adler Tag’ – when flying Spitfire L1082. He shot down an
ME109 of 5./Jagdegeschwader 53, coded 9+, and piloted by Feldwebel Hans –
Heinz Pfannschmidt, who baled out and was taken prisoner (his aircraft crashing
off Weymouth). Novo also claimed another ME109 as ‘Damaged’ during the same
engagement. In
the early evening of 7th September 1940, 609 was scrambled against a
raid of 200 enemy aircraft heading for London. The squadron was lde by Flight
Lieutenant MacArthur, and in the ensuing engagement, Novo claimed a Dornier DO.
17 as Destroyed. On
the 25th September, 609 became involved in a large air battle south
of Bristol, where the enemy was seen to consist of three arrow – headed
formations of bombers, escorted by 30 – plus fighters. The Bristol Anti
Aircraft guns were firing flat out, causing problems for George Darley and his
pilots. A terrific air battle ensued, with 609 claiming 8 Destroyed, 2 Probable,
and 2 Damaged. Novo was flying Spitfire N3223, and claimed a Heinkel HE.III
Destroyed. On
27th September, The Luftwaffe sent a mixed force to bomb Bristol
shortly before noon. For the second time in three days, the 10 Group controller
positioned 609 Squadron so badly that they had little chance of catching the
bombers over the coast. Both Flight Commanders radios failed too, so Pilot
Officer Roger Miller (leading Yellow Section) led the squadron into an attack
against the escorting fighters – which were circling over Warmwell. Both
Miller, and the pilot of a Messerschmitt ME110 were killed when their aircraft
collided, exploding in mid – air. Novo claimed a Messerschmitt 110 damaged in
this fight. On
3oth September, 609 were outnumbered and out - manouvered when
engaging a 100+ raid over Swanage. Only three 609 pilots were able to get to
grips with the enemy. Novo was flying R6961, and shot down an ME109, claiming a
second as a Probable. On
15th October, 609 scrambled to intercept a formation of ME109’s and
ME110’s which were stepped up in tiers from 16000ft up to 30000ft. Novo shot
down another ME109 in the following battle. Novo’s
name is absent from the Operational Record Book for November 1940, indicating
that he was either sick or on leave, but on December 2nd, in company
with Flying Officer Noel Agazarian. Novo, in Spitfire X4471, intercepted a
Dornier Do17 5 miles south of Southampton, and shot it down crashing onto the
beach at Thorney Island. On 1st February 1941, Nowierski was awarded the Cross of Valour with two bars. 12 days later, while flying Spitfire X4773 on patrol over Swanage with Flight Lieutenant Forshaw, they spotted an aircraft with yellow roundels. They presumed it friendly until Novo, who was carrying |
Copyright © 2002 609 (West Riding)
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