The Airmen's Stories - P/O B Wydrowski

Bronislaw Wydrowski was born on 1st September 1916 in Lechlin in the county of Wągrowiec, Poland. In September 1939 he was serving with the 3rd Air Regiment, Polish Air Force.

His subsequent movements are currently undocumented but a Wydrowski is recorded as serving with the Polish 'Pamula' flight, operating MS406 aircraft from Lyon-Bron in France.

He arrived in England on 22nd June 1940, again the circumstances currently undocumented, was commissioned in the RAFVR in July and transferred to the Polish Air Force on 6th August.

Above: Wydrowski with P/O M Gorzula, (in flying helmet).

He was with the Polish Wing at 3 School of Technical Training Blackpool until 5th September when he went to No. 1 School of Army Co-Operation Old Sarum, from the 5th to the 14th for testing and grading.

Wydrowski arrived at 5 OTU Aston Down on 18th September. After converting to Hurricanes he joined 615 Squadron at Prestwick on 4th October and then moved to 607 Squadron at Tangmere on 9th October.

After a few days with 229 Squadron at Northolt in late November, Wydrowski returned to 615, also at Northolt, on 2nd December 1940.

Returning from a bomber escort sortie on 5th February 1941 Wydrowski in Hurricane V6618 collided with V7598, flown by P/O S Czternastek. Wydrowski survived the collision but was badly injured.

Czternastek was killed when his Hurricane came down at Appleton Manor Farm near Dover.

On 16th May 1941 he joined 302 Squadron at Jurby. Wydrowski damaged a Me109 on 17th April 1942 and was posted away to 2 ADF on 27th July.

He left the Polish Air Force on 19th October 1942 and went into the Polish Army. Wydrowski was repatriated to Poland in 1946.

He died on 1st January 1994.