Zygmuntowicz, Ryszard
Personal Information
Rank | F/O |
Forename(s) | Ryszard |
Surname | Zygmuntowicz |
Gender | M |
Age | 26 |
Decorations | VM 5th Class, four times KW |
Date of Death | 21-04-1942 |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax II |
Serial Number | V9976 |
Markings | NF- |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Germany |
Burial/Memorial Place | Durnbach War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | 9. H. 20-24 (Coll.) |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 270 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | P.0291 |
Service | Polish Air Force |
Group | 38 |
Squadron | 138 (Special Duties) |
Squadron Motto | For freedom |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | Poland |
Other Memorials
Location | Village Green, Tempsford, Bedfordshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stone Memorial with inscribed Marble Tablets |
Memorial Text | In honour of the men and women of Special Duties Sqns stationed at RAF Tempsford |
Location | "The Barn" Gibraltar Farm, Tempsford, Bedfordshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone Plaque & Framed Scroll |
Memorial Text | To commemorate the men and women of different nationalities who flew from RAF Tempsford to aid resistance forces in occupied Europe |
Location | St. Peter's Church, Tempsford, Bedfordshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone Tablet, Wooden Boards, Brass Plaques & RoH |
Memorial Text | Remembering all those who flew from RAF Tempsford including those of the Royal Australian Air Force |
Miscellaneous Information
This is one of the most mysterious losses of the war, since the aircraft made a sudden and unexpected change of course to the South and crashed shortly afterwards. The true story may never be known. |
Casualty Pack Number Find Out More
AIR 81/13585 (P368006/42) |
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.
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 20-04-1942 |
End Date | 21-04-1942 |
Takeoff Station | Tempsford |
Day/Night Raid | Night (25% moon) |
Operation | Special Operations Executive |
Reason for Loss | Crashed while flying in dense fog into a hillside at Kreuth in Bavaria during 'Operation Whiskey', a top secret operation involving both the SOE and the Soviet Secret Service The aircraft was carrying two Austrian agents who were killed and, possibly, a third who escaped |