Zygmunt Witymir Bieńkowski

His father was a Polish Member of Parliament from 1922 to 1928. Zygmunt Witymir Bieńkowski was trained as a pilot at Polish Air Force Academy in Dęblin, he did not fight in Poland in 1939, but was evacuated westwards, escaped to Romania, then to France and on 27 June 1940 arrived in England. During the Battle of Britain, he served with 55 OTU in Aston Down. In May 1941, he joined No. In July 1941, he was transferred to No. 303 Squadron, based at Northolt. On 6 November 1941, Bieńkowski claimed a Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter shot down. On 12 April 1942, his aircraft was shot up by a Focke-Wulf Fw 190, and he had to force land with collapsed landing gear near the English coast. He served from 1 December 1942 until 4 July 1943 as Squadron Leader of No. At that time he was also flying with 315 (Polish) Squadron and on 13 May 1943 was involved in combat with enemy fighters between 11.30 and 13.05. After that, his Spitfire Mk.IX BS242 disappeared from the list and on 6 June 1943, after repairs, was delivered to 303 Squadron. During July 1943, No. 303 Squadron were stationed at RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey, where the newly arrived US Army Air Corps 94th Fighter Squadron had just been assigned. He befriended some of the American pilots, who gave him the affectionate nickname "Bing Crosby", a play on his family name. From January 1945 to 24 February 1945, he commanded 302. On 24 February, his Spitfire Mk. XVI (TB341, "WX-B") was shot down by flak over Germany near Wesel and he was taken prisoner. Released by American forces, by the end of the war he was a wing commander. During the war, he flew 74 sorties, claiming one Bf 109 destroyed and a Fw 190 damaged. He died on 15 August 1979 in London aged 66. He was buried in Gunnersbury Cemetery in West London. His brother Jan Bieńkowski, was also a pilot; he was shot down over Cherbourg in 1944.

• Name — Zygmunt Bieńkowski • Born — 2 May 1913 • Died — 15 August 1979 • Birthplace — Warsaw, Russian Empire • Place of death — London, England • Burial Place — Polish Veteran Graves Gunnersbury Cemetery • Allegiance — PolandPoland United Kingdom • Branch — Poland Royal Air Force • Rank — Squadron Leader • Unit — No. 302 Polish Fighter Squadron No. 303 Squadron RAF • Commands — No. 302 Squadron RAF • Battles — World War II • Awards — Krzyż Walecznych Virtuti Militari