Semmerling, Brunon

Date of birth:: October 19th, 1919
Date of death:: November 9th, 1977 (Czarnków, Poland)
Service number:: P1804
Nationality:: Polish (1918-1939, IInd Republic)

Biography

Brunon Semmerling was shot down on March 13th, 1943, managed to leave his plane, avoid being captured and to return to England. Later he worked as secret agent in France.

After the Second World War he returned to poland and died in Czarnków.

Career:
February 1942 - October 1943: No. 315 Squadron.

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Military Cross (MC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Flying Officer
Unit:: No. 315 (Deblin) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: October 8th, 1943

"On 13th March 1943 this Polish Officer was pilot of an aircraft which, whilst operating over France, was attacked by two enemy fighters. Flying Officer Semmerling was wounded in a hand and both legs and when his aircraft caught fire, was compelled to abandon it by parachute. He landed near Folny and despite his wounds, which caused him much pain, took immediate steps to evade capture. He made his way to Paris, which he reached on the 14th March and managed to secure shelter there for 3 days. Whilst travelling by train from Paris subsequently, he was interrogated by a german in uniform but, by posing as a Frenchman, managed to avoid being detained. Flying Officer Semmerling left the train at La Négresse and walked to Biarritz. He continued southwards, seeing many german soldiers and several members of the Frontier Police. Eventually he met a helper who arranged his subsequent journey and he was able to reach this Country, via Gibraltar on 11th May 1943."

WO 373/62 Recommendation for Award, October 8th, 1943.