The Wartime Memories Project - The Second War

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234599 Sgt. Zygmunt Stefan Galazka Royal Air Force 304 (Silesia) Squadron from:Zyrardow Prior to WW2, Zygmunt Galazka's civilian profession was a locksmith mechanic working for the Polish Home Office servicing office machinery. He was in this role for 18 months. With the possibility of war, he joined the Polish Army and from 22nd March 1939 to 30th September 1939 was with the 36th infantry regiment with the Polish rank Plutonowy. Germany invaded Poland on 1st September 1939. Zygmunt was caught crossing the border into Russia and sent to a Siberian concentration camp. He was released by Stalin in September 1941 along with thousands of other Poles, following the German attack on Russia. He had been incarcerated for one year. Released Poles including women and children were told to travel to Persia (Iran) via the Caspian Sea. On 18th September 1941 he joined the 19th infantry regiment training in Iraq, known as Anders army, who were later sent to fight at Monte Casino, Italy. The Polish flag was the first to be planted on the top of the monastery. However, Zygmunt did not go to Italy as he had been classified as future personnel for the Polish Air Force and was shipped via South Africa to Greenock in Scotland for training. On 17th January 1943, was transferred to Royal Air Force. Service Number 704885. On 11th April 1943, was transferred to Polish Air Force Depot in Blackpool with the British war rank Corporal. On 21st April 1943, started training as pilot in 25 Polish Elementary Flying Training School. In February 1944, he restarted training in 25 EFTS. Then on 18th May 1944 was transferred to 16 SFTS. On 18th September 1944, he obtained a trade and insignia of pilot. Promoted to Flight Sergeant. On 3rd January 1945, he started training in 6 Operational Training Unit which was a training unit for Coastal Command. On the 12th April 1945, was attached to 304 Polish Squadron which at that period was under Coastal Command. Wellingtons were equipped with radar and a searchlight looking for U-Boats recharging their batteries on the surface at night. VE day was 8th May 1945. In December 1945, was transferred to Polish Resettlement Unit on RAF Station Hucknall. Wellington Crew Zygmunt 1944 Zygmunt 1947 Steve Add to this record.  Related Content: No. 304 (Silesia) Polish Squadron Royal Air Force 36th Infantry Regiment, Polish Army 19th Infantry Regiment, Polish Army No.25 Elementary Flying Training School Can you help us to add to our records? Add a record to our website. The names and stories on this website have been submitted by their relatives and friends. If your relations are not listed please add their names so that others can read about them Did you or your relatives live through the Second World War? Do you have any photos, newspaper clippings, postcards or letters from that period? Have you researched the names on your local or war memorial? Were you or your relative evacuated? Did an air raid affect your area? If so please let us know. Help us to build a database of information on those who served both at home and abroad so that future generations may learn of their sacrifice. Contact us. Celebrate your own Family History Celebrate by honouring members of your family who served in the Secomd World War both in the forces and at home. We love to hear about the soldiers, but also remember the many who served in support roles, nurses, doctors, land army, muntions workers etc. Please use our Family History resources to find out more about your relatives. Then please send in a short article, with a photo if possible, so that they can be remembered on these pages.

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