Tadeusz Józef Kołoszczyk corporal pilot, soldier of the Polish Air Forces in the West
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This is a moment to pause and reflect, to see how this story, even after so many years, continues to unfold. Every trace that is found and every detail brought back from oblivion restores his name and the path he walked, before he gave his life in the fight for our and your freedom.
Life and service
Life and service
Plut. pil. Tadeusz Józef Kołoszczyk was born on 22 November 1919 in Grzymaczów, Sieradz district, in central Poland.
Plut. pil. Tadeusz Józef Kołoszczyk was born on 22 November 1919 in Grzymaczów, Sieradz district, in central Poland.
In 1938 he graduated from the School for Air Force Non-Commissioned Officers for Minors, gaining qualifications as an aircraft mechanic. He then began his pilot training.
In 1938 he graduated from the School for Air Force Non-Commissioned Officers for Minors, gaining qualifications as an aircraft mechanic. He then began his pilot training.
After the outbreak of war in 1939, he was taken prisoner by the Soviets in the eastern territories and deported to Siberia, where he lived in harsh conditions.
After the outbreak of war in 1939, he was taken prisoner by the Soviets in the eastern territories and deported to Siberia, where he lived in harsh conditions.
After his release, following the agreement after Germany’s attack on the Soviet Union in 1941, he left the USSR with Anders’ Army and travelled through Iran to the Middle East. Due to the urgent need for trained pilots, he was sent to Great Britain.
After his release, following the agreement after Germany’s attack on the Soviet Union in 1941, he left the USSR with Anders’ Army and travelled through Iran to the Middle East. Due to the urgent need for trained pilots, he was sent to Great Britain.
He arrived in England on 2 February, where he continued his flight training. In March he was assigned to the 61 Operational Training Unit and later to the 3 Tactical Exercise Unit.
He arrived in England on 2 February, where he continued his flight training. In March he was assigned to the 61 Operational Training Unit and later to the 3 Tactical Exercise Unit.
After completing his training, he became a pilot in the Polish 306th Fighter Squadron “Toruń”, where he took part in combat operations, including fighting German V1 flying bombs.
After completing his training, he became a pilot in the Polish 306th Fighter Squadron “Toruń”, where he took part in combat operations, including fighting German V1 flying bombs.
Service in Great Britain
Service in Great Britain
Last flight
Last flight
On 27 September 1944, he took off from RAF Brenzett as one of nine pilots escorting Halifax bombers heading towards Sterkrade in Germany, as part of operation “Ramrod 1297”. He flew a North American P-51D Mustang III, serial number FZ196, code UZ-D. During the flight he reported engine problems and turned back towards base. Shortly afterwards, he disappeared.
On 27 September 1944, he took off from RAF Brenzett as one of nine pilots escorting Halifax bombers heading towards Sterkrade in Germany, as part of operation “Ramrod 1297”. He flew a North American P-51D Mustang III, serial number FZ196, code UZ-D. During the flight he reported engine problems and turned back towards base. Shortly afterwards, he disappeared.
After his disappearance, a military commission was appointed to determine his fate. For many years it was believed that he had crashed into the sea.
After his disappearance, a military commission was appointed to determine his fate. For many years it was believed that he had crashed into the sea.
Crash and witness
Crash and witness
Only years later was it established that his aircraft had crashed near Veghel, during Operation Market Garden. At that time, the area around Veghel was part of the so-called corridor, the Allied supply route towards Arnhem. It was a region of intense fighting and constant fire.
Only years later was it established that his aircraft had crashed near Veghel, during Operation Market Garden. At that time, the area around Veghel was part of the so-called corridor, the Allied supply route towards Arnhem. It was a region of intense fighting and constant fire.
The crash was witnessed by farmer Van de Crommert. Despite the danger, he decided to go to the crash site. The pilot lay dead beside the wreckage of his aircraft. Together with his son and a relative, he buried the fallen Polish pilot in a makeshift grave, wrapped in cloth.
The crash was witnessed by farmer Van de Crommert. Despite the danger, he decided to go to the crash site. The pilot lay dead beside the wreckage of his aircraft. Together with his son and a relative, he buried the fallen Polish pilot in a makeshift grave, wrapped in cloth.
At that time, Allied soldiers were staying in his house and could not leave without risking immediate gunfire.
At that time, Allied soldiers were staying in his house and could not leave without risking immediate gunfire.
Despite this, he arranged the burial, preventing the fallen pilot from being desecrated or looted.
Despite this, he arranged the burial, preventing the fallen pilot from being desecrated or looted.
He collected and recorded the details of the fallen pilot and passed them on to the local butcher, G. van Beljouw, who then forwarded them to the municipal office, where they were officially registered.
He collected and recorded the details of the fallen pilot and passed them on to the local butcher, G. van Beljouw, who then forwarded them to the municipal office, where they were officially registered.
The report was recorded on 2 October 1944 by the civil registrar in Veghel. However, due to an error, the name was written as “T. Kozonski”. Years later, during research conducted by Jan van Boxtel and Jan Hey, this issue was revisited. It was established that the name belonged to a soldier who had been taken prisoner, which meant it could not refer to the pilot who had died near Veghel.
The report was recorded on 2 October 1944 by the civil registrar in Veghel. However, due to an error, the name was written as “T. Kozonski”. Years later, during research conducted by Jan van Boxtel and Jan Hey, this issue was revisited. It was established that the name belonged to a soldier who had been taken prisoner, which meant it could not refer to the pilot who had died near Veghel.
Unknown identity and its restoration
Unknown identity and its restoration
On 3 july 1946, the pilot’s body was transferred to the Lambertus cemetery in Veghel. The reburial was carried out by the British Army Graves Concentration Unit, which prepared an official archival report.
On 3 july 1946, the pilot’s body was transferred to the Lambertus cemetery in Veghel. The reburial was carried out by the British Army Graves Concentration Unit, which prepared an official archival report.
For over 70 years he rested there as an unknown soldier. The original gravestone bore the inscription: “An airman of the 1939–1945 war. Polish Forces. Known unto God.”
For over 70 years he rested there as an unknown soldier. The original gravestone bore the inscription: “An airman of the 1939–1945 war. Polish Forces. Known unto God.”
Thanks to many years of effort by Jan van Boxtel and Jan Hey, in cooperation with the Council for the Protection of Struggle and Martyrdom in Warsaw, his true identity was finally established.
Thanks to many years of effort by Jan van Boxtel and Jan Hey, in cooperation with the Council for the Protection of Struggle and Martyrdom in Warsaw, his true identity was finally established.
On 14 September 2014, a ceremony was held to restore his name.
On 14 September 2014, a ceremony was held to restore his name.
Resting place
Resting place
Restoration of identity
Restoration of identity
Search for the crash site
Search for the crash site
For many years, the exact crash site remained uncertain. Various locations were suggested, but none could be confirmed.
For many years, the exact crash site remained uncertain. Various locations were suggested, but none could be confirmed.
In September 2024, the search was resumed and information began to be gathered again.
In September 2024, the search was resumed and information began to be gathered again.
Numerous letters were sent to institutions in Poland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Interviews were conducted with witnesses and their families, including the family of Van de Crommert, and archival materials were analysed. Thanks to information provided, among others, by Marcel Hermens, the most probable location was identified.
Numerous letters were sent to institutions in Poland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Interviews were conducted with witnesses and their families, including the family of Van de Crommert, and archival materials were analysed. Thanks to information provided, among others, by Marcel Hermens, the most probable location was identified.
On 18 October 2025, with the participation of the search group Kryptonim T4, field investigations were carried out. During the work, a fragment of the aircraft and a .50 calibre bullet were found, confirming the crash site.
On 18 October 2025, with the participation of the search group Kryptonim T4, field investigations were carried out. During the work, a fragment of the aircraft and a .50 calibre bullet were found, confirming the crash site.
Two stories in one place
Two stories in one place
For years, the Van de Crommert family kept a propeller believed to be from Kołoszczyk’s aircraft. Later it was established that it actually came from a Halifax bomber, in whose crash a four-man British crew was killed. In this way, one story revealed another.
For years, the Van de Crommert family kept a propeller believed to be from Kołoszczyk’s aircraft. Later it was established that it actually came from a Halifax bomber, in whose crash a four-man British crew was killed. In this way, one story revealed another.
Today, Tadeusz Józef Kołoszczyk rests at the Lambertus cemetery in Veghel. On both sides of his grave are two other graves. One belongs to the British soldier Allen Middleton, who was killed on 30 September 1944 at the age of 20. The other is the grave of an unknown soldier from the years 1939–1945.
Today, Tadeusz Józef Kołoszczyk rests at the Lambertus cemetery in Veghel. On both sides of his grave are two other graves. One belongs to the British soldier Allen Middleton, who was killed on 30 September 1944 at the age of 20. The other is the grave of an unknown soldier from the years 1939–1945.
Three graves stand side by side. A Pole, a British soldier, and an unknown soldier. United by place, time, and the same sacrifice.
Three graves stand side by side. A Pole, a British soldier, and an unknown soldier. United by place, time, and the same sacrifice.
A memorial plaque is being prepared at the site where Tadeusz Józef Kołoszczyk lost his life. It is dedicated to his memory and to all those who gave their lives for our freedom and yours.
A memorial plaque is being prepared at the site where Tadeusz Józef Kołoszczyk lost his life. It is dedicated to his memory and to all those who gave their lives for our freedom and yours.
Memory
Memory
This is not just the story of one man. It is a tribute to the memory of all those who gave their lives for freedom. The memory of their lives and the values to which they remained faithful is one of the foundations of our identity. It helps us understand who we are and where we come from, so that we can consciously build our future.
This is not just the story of one man. It is a tribute to the memory of all those who gave their lives for freedom. The memory of their lives and the values to which they remained faithful is one of the foundations of our identity. It helps us understand who we are and where we come from, so that we can consciously build our future.
May this memory endure.
May this memory endure.
Location of the memorial site
Location of the memorial site
Location of the grave (Lambertus cemente
Location of the grave (Lambertus cemente
ry in Veghel)
ry in Veghel)
Sources and additional information
Sources and additional information
Sources: Archival materials, private collections, historical publications, testimonies from the family of the crash witness, materials and information provided by Marcel Hermens, and selected publicly available sources.
Primary historical source: Jan Hey (Hengelo), Jos van Alphen, Tadeusz KOŁOSZCZYK
kreeg na 70 jaar zijn naam terug, Dorst, August 2014.
LET THIS SPARK IGNITE A FLAME,
AND THE FLAME CARRY IT FURTHER,
SO THAT THE MEMORY NEVER FADES
AND LIVES ON IN THE HEARTS OF FUTURE GENERATIONS
compiled by Zofia Duizer Wośko. Based on archival materials, testimonies and own research. All rights reserved.
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