KOZICKI WW
Kozicki, William Walter Died
Personal Information
| Rank | F/S |
| Forename(s) | William Walter |
| Surname | Kozicki |
| Gender | M |
| Age | 27 |
| Date of Death | 09-10-1943 |
| Next of Kin | Son of Anthony Kozicki and Lena (Olena) Kozicki (née Hladka), of Fort William, Ontario, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
| Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax II |
| Serial Number | JD323 |
| Markings | AL-S |
Memorial Information
| Burial/Memorial Country | Germany |
| Burial/Memorial Place | Reichswald Forest War Cemetery |
| Grave Reference | Coll. grave 19. D. 1-7. |
IBCC Memorial Information
| Phase | 2 |
| Panel Number | 195 |
Enlistment Information
| Service Number | R/166030 |
| Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
| Group | 6 |
| Squadron | 429 (Bison) |
| Squadron Motto | Fortunae nihil (Nothing to chance) |
| Trade | Air Gunner |
| Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
| Location | Roman Rd, Leeming, North Yorkshire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Memorial Type | Brass plaque set into a stone plinth into which is carved with the Canadian maple leaf and the Yorkshire rose. |
| Memorial Text | This memorial is dedicated to those men and women who served at RAF Leeming during World War II, including those from the Royal Canadian Air Force Squadrons, whose members came from all parts of the Commonwealth from 1942 to 1945; 405 Vancouver, 408 Goose, 419 Moose, 427 Lion, 429 Bison. Also, to the many Civilians who supported them during their term of duty in North Yorkshire. We remember too the RAF Squadrons who preceded the Canadians from 1940 - 1942; 7 - 10 - 35 -77 - 102 - 219. To those who paid the supreme sacrifice, we will remember them. Dedicated June 19, 1993 |
| Location | Opposite old Main Guardroom, RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Memorial Type | Stone Memorial & Metal Plaques |
| Memorial Text | In commemoration of those men and women of many nations who served at RAF Leeming during the second world war. |
| Location | Allerton Park Castle, Allerton, North Yorkshire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Memorial Type | Inscribed Metal Plaque |
| Memorial Text | Memorial Garden dedicated to the 4272 personnel of 6 (RCAF) Gp based at Allerton Castle who gave the ultimate sacrifice during WWII to preserve our freedom |
| Location | Yorkshire Air Museum, Elvington, North Yorkshire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Memorial Type | Propeller Unit & Inscribed Marble Tablets |
| Memorial Text | Dedicated to the men & women of 6 (RCAF) Gp Bomber Command and to the 9980 Canadians lost serving in Bomber Command. |
Miscellaneous Information
| William was born at Fort William, Ontario on 29 February 1916. His father worked as a Millwright in a grain elevator for 20 years and was born in Ukraine, where his mother was also born. He had two sisters Annie and Olga and a brother Peter. He attended Ogden Street school 1923-1932 followed by Fort William Vocational, 1932-1934. His hobbies were hockey and golf. Between 1934-1938 William worked for his father, then sailed on the lakes of C.S.L. as a Stoker Deck hand and watchman, 1938-1940. He also worked at Canada Car Foundry, A/C division 1940-1942. |
| He enlisted on 9 April 1942 and after training was posted to the U.K. He embarked from New York on 4 May 1943 arriving at 3 PRC on 12 May. He was at 24 OTU on 25 May 1943, 1659 CU 11 August 1943 and 429 Squadron 28 August 1943. He sadly lost his life on 9 October 1943. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
| Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1852/20 |
| Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1852/20 |
Fellow Servicemen
Please note that this list gives all the losses aboard the quoted aircraft and occasionally these may have occurred on an earlier date when the aircraft was not itself lost. Please check the dates of death carefully.
| Name | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Board R W H (Sgt) | Died |
| Bucksey V R (Sgt) | Died |
| Chapman E H (Sgt) | Died |
| Head L R (Sgt) | Died |
| Hitchin M W (Sgt) | Died |
| Williams K (F/S) | Died |
Last Operation Information
| Start Date | 08-10-1943 |
| End Date | 09-10-1943 |
| Takeoff Station | Leeming |
| Day/Night Raid | Night (74% moon) |
| Operation | Hanover. 504 aircraft and the last to include Wellingtons, none of which were Lost 27 Lancasters and Halifaxes were Lost (5.4%). The Germans had correctly assumed that Hanover was the target and there was much night-fighter activity as a result. The conditions were clear and both marking and the subsequent bombing were accurate and concentrated, with little creepback. The electrical, water and telephone services were destroyed in what was Hanover's worst attack of the war. An impressive marshalling regime on the ground concentrated the public into areas between the fires, saving many lives. Even so, 1200 people were killed and 3345 injured. almost 4000 buildings were destroyed amongst which were the Continental rubber factory and Hanomag machine works. |
| Reason for Aircraft Loss | Crashed at Siebenhöfen, SW of Blomberg, Germany |