Flight Sergeant Klemens Adamowicz (P-780537) served in the Polish Air Force during World War Two. He was born on 25th April 1911 in Zamosc, Poland. He learned his trade at a Pilot Training School in Bydgoszcz, north-west of Warsaw.
Adamowicz later became an instructor in the 4th Air Force Regiment at Torun, Poland. Adamowicz joined RAF 304 Squadron in March 1943. In December 1943, he was 32 years old and the most experienced member of his crew.
Imperial War Museum Photo: MH 2307 (Part of the Ministry of Information Second World War Censorship Bureau Library of Press Photographs: Classified Print Collection). Vickers Wellington GR Mark XIV bombers of RAF 304 (Polish) Squadron prepare for take-off in Cornwall.
Wellington HF208 Crash
Adamowicz was the pilot on board Vickers Wellington HF208 attached to Royal Air Force 304 (Polish) Squadron. Disaster struck on coastal command from RAF Predannack, Cornwall on 20th December 1943.
After getting into difficulties, the plane crashed near Arraglen on Mount Brandon, Co. Kerry killing all six crew members. Flight Sergeant Klemens Adamowicz died aged 32 years old.
Grave of Flight Sergeant Klemens Adamowicz (P-780537). He served as a pilot instructor in the Polish Air Force and is buried in Milltown Cemetery, Belfast, Co. Antrim. Photo taken on 11th November 2017. Copyright Scott Edgar - World War Two Northern Ireland.
Remembering the crew of HF208
| Last Name | First Name(s) | Rank | Role | Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adamowicz | Klemens | Flight Sergeant | Pilot | RAF 304 Squadron. |
| Czerniowski | Stanislaw | Flight Sergeant | Co-Pilot | RAF 304 Squadron. |
| Kuflik | Pawel Naftali Hirsz | Flight Sergeant | Navigator | RAF 304 Squadron |
| Kowalewicz | Pawel | Flight Sergeant | Wireless Operator | RAF 304 Squadron |
| Lugowski | Kazimierz | Flight Sergeant | Air Gunner | RAF 304 Squadron |
| Pietrzak | Wincenty | Flight Sergeant | Air Gunner | RAF 304 Squadron |
Klemens Adamowicz’s grave is in War Graves Group Section A, Row LG, Grave 45, Milltown Cemetery, Belfast, Co. Antrim.
Stanislaw Czerniawski
Flight Sergeant • P-794362
Flight Sergeant Stanislaw Czerniawski (P-794362) served as a pilot in the Polish Air Force and is buried in Milltown Cemetery, West Belfast.
Pawel Kowalewicz
Flight Sergeant • P-703968
Flight Sergeant Pawel Kowalewicz (P-703968) served as a wireless radio operator in the Polish Air Force and is buried in Milltown Cemetery, West Belfast.
Pawel Naftali Hirsz Kuflik
Flight Sergeant • P-794712
Flight Sergeant Pawel Naftali Hirsz Kuflik (P-794712) served as a navigator in the Polish Air Force and is buried in the Jewish Cemetery at Carnmoney.
Kazimierz Lugowski
Flight Sergeant • P-703438
Flight Sergeant Kazimierz Lugowski (P-703438) served as a gunner in the Polish Air Force and is buried in Milltown Cemetery, West Belfast.
Wincenty Pietrzak
Flight Sergeant • P-782657
Flight Sergeant Wincenty Pietrzak (P-782657) served as a gunner in the Polish Air Force and is buried in Milltown Cemetery, West Belfast.