Flight Sergeant Pawel Naftali Hirsz Kuflik (P-794712) served in the Polish Air Force during World War Two. Kuflik was born on 4th January 1923 in Cologne, Germany. Both parents were Polish but with German ancestry. Pawel emigrated to the Netherlands in 1939 and from there enlisted in the Polish Air Force.
Billeted to RAF Eastbourne, Sussex, England in 1942, his barracks was the town’s Grand Hotel. In Eastbourne he studied air navigation before studying at an Air Observer School. He studied at this school at RAF Jurby on the Isle of Man from October 1942.
In January 1943, he gained his RAF wings and earned the rank of Flight Sergeant. Further training followed at RAF Squire’s Gate, Blackpool and RAF Silloth, Cumbria. There he joined RAF 304 (Polish) Squadron operating under Coastal Command.
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
He was the navigator on board Vickers Wellington HF208 attached to Royal Air Force 304 (Polish) Squadron. The crew’s final flight was on coastal command from RAF Predannack, Cornwall on 20th December 1943.
In poor weather conditions, the plane crashed near Arraglen on Mount Brandon, Co. Kerry killing all six of the crew. Flight Sergeant Pawel Naftali Hirsz Kuflik died aged 20 years old.
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. |
Pawel Naftali Hirsz Kuflik’s grave is in the Jewish Cemetery, Carnmoney, Co. Antrim.
