Polish Liberators over Raalte: The Crew of Wellington Z8339, 20 June 1942
(Nedvision Publishing, an imprint of Casemate - 15 October 2026)
by Krzysztof Kowalkowski
284 pages - paperback (6.69" x 9.61")
$30 US
"In the early hours of 20 June 1942, a Vickers Wellington bomber of the Polish 305 Squadron was shot down near Raalte in the Netherlands while returning from a bombing mission over Germany. Of the five crew members on board, four lost their lives and one survived, only to become a prisoner of war. Their story is one of courage, sacrifice, and unwavering determination in the fight against Nazi occupation.
Polish Liberators over Raalte tells the remarkable story of these five Polish airmen who, after the invasion and occupation of their homeland, continued their struggle for freedom as part of the Royal Air Force. Through detailed historical research, the book reconstructs their personal backgrounds, military service, final mission, and the tragic events that led to the crash.
The work is based largely on the extensive research of Polish historian and genealogist Krzysztof Kowalkowski, who painstakingly documented the lives of the crew members and their families. Adding a unique and personal dimension to the narrative, the author is directly connected to the story through family ties to the pilot.
More than a wartime history, this book is also a tribute to remembrance. It explores how the crew has been commemorated in the decades since the crash and highlights the enduring connections between Poland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Combining historical accuracy with personal insight,
Polish Liberators over Raalte preserves an important chapter of Second World War history and honours the men who gave their lives in the cause of freedom.
This is a story of bravery, loss, and memory—a story that deserves to be remembered."
Contents
Note on the Translation
Part One: Alojzy Paweł Gusowski
Introduction
Early Years
Service in the 4th Air Regiment
3 September 1939
In Romanian Captivity
France 1940
Training Period 1940–1941 in Great Britain
Combat Flights in 305 Squadron
The First Joint Flight
The Last Flight
Funeral
The Crew of "Nana"
Commemorations in Raalte
Raalte
Cemetery in Raalte
Allied Airmen Buried in Raalte Cemetery
Alojzy Kowalkowski, Chaplain to the Polish Airmen
Poems by Alojzy Gusowski
Afterword
Part Two: Flight Lieutenant Stefan Bolesław Madejczyk
Early Life
The First Months of the Second World War
In Great Britain
No. 305 Squadron
The Last Flight
In German Captivity
The End of the War and Return to England
In Exile in Argentina and Canada
Back in England
Visits to the Netherlands
Part Three: Flying Officer Henryk Aleksander Jankiewicz
Part Four: Sergeant Kazimierz Jan Ardelli
Part Five: Commemorations Through the Years
Appendix A: September 1939 Diary of Alojzy Gusowski
Appendix B: Lest We Forget
Appendix C: Gerrit van der Kolk – Eyewitness to the Crash
Trails of Hope Raalte 2025
Notes
The Author
"Krzysztof Kowalkowski (born 1950 in Gdańsk, Poland) is a historian, genealogist, and award-winning author specializing in the history, culture, and heritage of the Kociewie and Kashubia regions. He has published numerous books, genealogical studies, and historical articles, and has been actively involved in regional cultural organizations for decades. His work has earned several literary and cultural distinctions, including the Bronze Cross of Merit and the Kociewskie Pióro Award. He lives in Gdańsk with his wife and family."
https://www.casematepublishers.com/9...s-over-raalte/