|
Re: Mosquito Attack on Irish ship on 23.10.1943
I agree with my friend and colleague Martin Gleeson,the Polish crews excuse is utter nonesense. Mistaking the Irish flag for an Italian flag would be more understandable, however the word EIRE was clearly marked on both sides, on the cargo holdcovers and with the Irish flag in the same locations. This was not noticed even after 25 mins despite the fact that the crews had been briefed of the presence of the Kerlogue outbound for Lisbon!
(Catholic) Polish forces were very hostile to (Catholic) Neutral Ireland.
The mosquitos were MJ656 S/Ldr M. Lewandowski (pilot) F/Lt G Kranwiecki (nav.) and DD726 P/O B Sachacki (pilot) P/O T Sliwak (nav.)
My understanding is that 307 Sqn was part of 10 Group Fighter Command and that the CO Jerzy Orzechowski was a Wing Commander and had in fact led the first Instep Patrol earlier that morning.
Tony K
|