Polish Polish Air Force Memorial

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Pilot Officer Mieczyslaw Waszkiewicz

R.I.P.

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Pilot Officer Boguslaw Mierzwa

16th April 1941 Pilot Officer Mieczyslaw Waszkiewicz and Pilot Officer Boguslaw Mierzwa lost their lives at Dungeness returning from escort missions over the English Channel.

No. 303 Squadron RAF was one of 16 Polish Squadrons in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. On 16th April 1941, 303 Squadron flew a “Circus” escort operation. Codename “Circus” was given to operations of the Royal Air Force where bombers, heavily escorted by fighters, were sent over continental Europe to bring enemy fighters into combat. 303 Squadron were providing cover to bombers on a raid to Berck-sur-Mer when they were engaged by enemy fighters over the channel.
Pilot Officer Waszkiewicz was shot down and killed when his Spitfire crashed into the sea off Dungeness Point. The pilot and aircraft were never found and he is commemorated on the Polish War Memorial at Northolt in Middlesex.
Pilot Officer Mierzwa was shot down and died when his spitfire crashed a few yards from the site of the memorial which is alongside the old mainline branch line from Lydd to Dungeness. He is buried in Northwood Cemetery.

Following the erection of a small memorial by Army personnel stationed at Dungeness at the time, various memorials were constructed and during the past 25 years or so were tended and maintained, at his own expense, by a Greatstone local resident, Colin Clayton. However strong winds, along with a couple of hurricanes, for which Dungeness is well known, took their toll and in time decimated each and every one. I made an appeal through this website for support and or funds to replace with a more substantial structure, and was pleased to receive several pledges financial donations However nuclear energy and electricity company, EDF (also now owners of Dungeness), stepped in and commissioned the memorial we have today. A solid oak frame will ensure its survival for the next 50 years or so, as will the surrounds which have been replaced with upcycled remains of a black granitite kitchen worksurface. Last month the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee donated the granite flower vase which has added to the dignity of the site.

Each year at 11 a.m. on the 16th April a wreath has been laid at the site and, in the past, a small ceremony is held on the nearest Sunday to the 16th at St Peter’s Church in Greatstone. This year the service will be held on Sunday 29th April at 3 p.m.

About the Author: Mike Golding

Born in Ashford a long time ago I have had a lifelong relationship with Dungeness having spent every year here for a fortnights holiday up to the age of 15. In those good old days there was no electricity and hence no radio, no running water and no adequate sewage solutions. Nothing to do other than enjoy the vast expanse of the Ness and all it offered for the young children of that era. Out after breakfast and back before nightfall. There were lakes to swim in. Same lakes to boat on (well old railway sleepers). A derelict school and long disused railway station in and on which to play. Gun emplacements, underground shelters. Sheer bliss. That all ended at 16 when I joined the RAF, finally purchasing a shack – as indeed it was then – in 1971 for the princely sum of £750.00. Only 15 years prior to that we could not afford the £150.00 asking price for what was then known as ‘Windwhistle’, reported to be one of Queen Victoria’s entourages carriages. Still there today, sold last year (2022) and still awaiting planning permission to re construct, but the original structure still concealed behind painted shiplap. Leaving the mob I travelled, retuning ‘home’ as oft I could, and realistically, only becoming a permanent fixture since 1977. In those days there was a vibrant community here with annual gatherings for the Mayday festival – spit roast and all and open days at the Lifeboat station – with bosuns chairs, zip wires to keep the kids happy. I think Health and Safety put paid to that and other activities, as did the moving away of many locals. The result of which , today there are probably less than 20 families residing here permanently, (I have been told not to use the word ‘shacks’ as now, at £650,000.00 plus they are 'desirable bungalows in a well sought after locale'. So ‘Shacks’ they are! End. P.S A few originals left to rent from £500 per week.