Help with Polish pilot

[78SqnHistory]

Hi,

I wonder if anyone can tell me if there is any way of finding out details of a Polish pilot? All I have at the moment is:

P0954 Flt B ZAPASNIK and that he joined 78 Squadron from 216 Group on the 29th November 1945.

thanks in advance.

Daz

[vrajm]

Hi Daz,

P0954 Zapaśnik Bronisław

https://listakrzystka.pl/?s=ZAPASNIK

Regards

Mojmir

[78SqnHistory]

Hi Daz,

P0954 Zapaśnik Bronisław

https://listakrzystka.pl/?s=ZAPASNIK

Regards

Mojmir

Many thanks, so far he is the only Pole I have identified who served with 78 Squadron, I'm guessing he had service elsewhere before going 78 in November of 1945.

best

Daz

[vrajm]

Hi Daz,

his bio

https://dlapilota.pl/wiadomosci/muze...awie-zapasniku

https://listakrzystka.pl/zapasnik-bronislaw/

"W latach 1944–1945 latał jako pilot w 301 Dywizjonie Bombowym przekształconym w Dywizjon Transportowy."

301 DB - 301 Dywizjon Bombowy - No. 301 Bomber Squadron (Polish)

No. 301 Polish Bomber Squadron "Land of Pomerania" (Polish: 301 Dywizjon Bombowy "Ziemi Pomorskiej") was a Polish World War II bomber (1940-1943) and special duties squadron (1944-1946), belonging to Polish Air Forces in Great Britain.

Mojmir

[78SqnHistory]

Thanks, very interesting, for what google translate tells me he was a ferry pilot in the Middle East before going to 301 and then on to 78 Squadron post war when they were operating in Egypt.

thanks again

Daz

[Franek Grabowski]

Daz
Quite, he was in so called Takoradi Ferry Unit, and then transferred to No 301 Special Duty Sqn. Later on, in Spring 1945 No 301 Sqn was converted and transferred to Transport Command. It is possible that Zapaśnik asked for transfer to a RAF Squadron in order to get qualification for CPL or experience on the type.
BTW
There were other Poles on the Squadron, albeit on a later date.
Franek

[78SqnHistory]

Franek,

thanks for the additional information. I am only really covering the 1939-45 period at the moment but may move on to the post war years late.

thank again

Daz

[Franek Grabowski]

Daz
This was just precising the info that could have been unclear in the article. It does say, that his log survives. I am in touch with his son in any case. Just checked.
I am actually more interested in the Polish airmen after 1945 or more precisely 1946-47, following disbandment of the PAF.
Franek