Witold Lanowski
 

It is my understanding that Witold Lanowski died a few years ago; maybe five or more. Does anyone have the date and place?

He is frequently credited with six victories, but I can only find four, all with the USAAF 56th FG. Polish records supposedly credit him with two, which with the four USAAF ones would give six. But I suspect the Poles have only recorded two of his four USAAF victories. Does anyone have documentation of two non-USAAF victories? Or dates for the two victories listed in Polish records?

Frank.

Re: Witold Lanowski
 

Frank, it was on 16.09.1993 in London. I believe he passed away after a minor surgery, thus it was a shock for those who knew him.
Indeed his official PAF score is 2-0-0, both achieved with 61st FS. Later he demobbed from PAF, being agreed for a transfer to USAAF, but for some reason his plans failed, and he flew as a civilian, scoring two further kills. I am not sure if he got back to PAF then.
There are stories of Poles selling victories to some Americans, but I am not sure how much truth is in it, it would be rather hard to prove.

Re: Witold Lanowski
 

Franek,

Thank you very much. I can clean up his entry in my files, and remove him from my problem list.

I rather doubt the stories of victories "sold" to American pilots. After buying all the British victories in SE Asia for the Flying Tigers there wasn't any money left over to buy in Europe!

Frank.

Re: Witold Lanowski
 

Well, I am a little bit skeptical as well but the story was reported by US airmen. Do not forget that they were definetelly overpaid, so a Jerry was not that much expense. ;)
I think I have found some lead but I am not sure if it should be made public.

Witold Lanowski
 

Franek/Frank

I have a F/Lt Lanowski who was with 316 Sqn in summer 1943.

Is this the same one?

regards

Mark

Re: Witold Lanowski
 

Mark,

In summer 1943 Lanowski was a 302 Sqn pilot. He wasn't a 316 Sqn pilot during WW II.

Regards

Greg

Re: Witold Lanowski
 

Greg

Must be another Lanowski.

Unfortunately cannot find an initial. Will look at the Operation Records in a bit more detail.

regards

Mark

Re: Witold Lanowski
 

As far as I know, Witold Lanowski was in 121 Eskadra in Poland, without claims. Then in France with 1/145, again without claims. He was in 308 Sqn in Dec 1941, then 317 and 302, all without claims. He has the rank of P.O for his first claim with 56 FG in May 1944; then F/Lt for his claims in June and July; and finally Capt for his last claim in Nov.

Frank.

Re: Witold Lanowski
 

Frank,

Lanowski was a pilot of 121 Eskadra between 1938-10-15 and 1939-08-01 and later he became an instructor in aviation school for fighters in Ulez. In France he was a pilot of GC 1/145 but before 1940-05-10 he had a conflict with his CO and he was sent to jail. His way in GB you discribed is correct.

Mark,

There was no another Polish pilot with name Lanowski in Polish Air Force during WW II.

Greg

Re: Witold Lanowski
 

Greg

His name is listed in the 316 Sqn ORB for August 1943.

Interesting and need to find out more.

regards

Mark

Re: Witold Lanowski
 

While with No. 302 Sqn, Lanowski flew No. 316 Sqn Mk IXs in September 1943. At the time No. 302 Sqn replaced No. 316 at Northolt, taking over the latter's Mk IXs. Before the actual switch took place, No. 302 Sqn pilots came to No. 316 to Northolt to familiarise with the new Mark. This explains his presence in No. 316 ORB while he was a No. 302 pilot.

Re: Witold Lanowski
 

Off topic a little but I have read than Witold Lanowski flew as a mercenary in the Congo in 1962. Alongside Jean Zumbach and (possibly) some other WW2 vintage pilots he flew armed T6 against insurgents fo0r Moise Tshombe.

Re: Witold Lanowski
 

Yes, indeed he was in Katanga but I am not sure what aircraft he flew. Jan Zumbach and Łanowski were not the only notable airmen in the conflict, but as it is friendly researcher's field of interest, I will not write more. ;)