Pawel Naftali Hirsz Kuflik served in R.A.F. 304 (Land of Silesia) Squadron at his time of death in Éire on 20th December 1943. His grave is in Belfast.
Flight Sergeant
P-794712
Flight Sergeant Pawel Naftali Hirsz Kuflik (P-794712) served in a Polish squadron of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. He was born to Polish Jewish parents on 4th January 1923 in Cologne, Germany. In 1939, following the invasion of Poland, Kuflik fled to the Netherlands where he enlisted in the Polish Air Force.
In 1942, Kuflik arrived at R.A.F. Eastbourne, Sussex, England where he billeted in the Grand Hotel in the coastal town. He studied aerial navigation and joined an R.A.F. Air Observer School at R.A.F. Jurby on the Isle of Man in October 1942.
In January 1943, Kuflik gained his wings before further training at R.A.F. Squire’s Gate, Blackpool, Lancashire, England. At R.A.F. Silloth, Cumbria, England, he joined R.A.F. 304 (Land of Silesia) Squadron, one of several Polish outfits serving alongside the Royal Air Force.
Flight Sergeant Pawel Kuflik was the navigator on Vickers Wellington HF208 when it took off from R.A.F. Predannack, Cornwall, England on 20th December 1943. The Coastal Command bomber experienced difficulties and ended up in airspace over neutral Ireland. It came down near Arraglen at Mount Brandon in Co. Kerry killing all six Polish crew members. Kuflik was 21 years old.
| Last Name | First Name(s) | Rank | Role | Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adamowicz | Klemens | Flight Sergeant | Pilot | R.A.F. P-780537. |
| Czerniowski | Stanislaw | Flight Sergeant | Co-Pilot | R.A.F. P-794362. |
| Kowalewicz | Pawel | Flight Sergeant | Wireless Operator | R.A.F. P-703968. |
| Kuflik | Pawel Naftali Hirsz | Flight Sergeant | Navigator | R.A.F. P-794712. |
| Lugowski | Kazimierz | Flight Sergeant | Air Gunner | R.A.F. P-703438. |
| Pietrzak | Wincenty | Flight Sergeant | Air Gunner | R.A.F. P-782657. |
Flight Sergeant Kuflik’s grave is in Carnmoney Jewish Cemetery, Carnmoney, Co. Antrim.
