Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Second War Spitfire Pilots D.F.C. and Polish Gallantry group of six awarded to Pilot Officer W. Gretkierewicz, a Section Leader with 302 Polish Squadron, who was noted for his courage and as an exemplary fighter pilot and leader, and is credited with 3 FW.190’s and 58 vehicles destroyed and damaged, including 2 trains, during an incredible 185 sorties

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated 1945; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; War Medal 1939-45; Poland, Republic, Order of Virtuti Militari, Fifth Class breast badge, bronze and enamel, with original silvering; Cross of Valour, with 2 Additional Award Bars, good very fine and better (6) £1,400-£1,800

D.F.C. Award Recommendation, dated 13 April 1945, states:
‘On 24 June 1943, during a bomber escort to Breast, P/O Gretkierewicz led a section of 2 aircraft. Whilst flying to the target, the leader’s four were attached by two FW.190’s. after turning, P/O Gretkierewicz met the enemy face to face and fired a burst at one of them from this position, hitting him in the wing. After passing the aircraft he turned around and gave a few more bursts to it, with the result that it burst into flames. 1 FW probably destroyed confirmed.

On 3 August 1943, during an escort of whirlwinds bombing an airfield in the region of Breast, F/O. Sniec leading the right section of 4 aircraft in which P/O Gretkierewicz flew, saw, over the town of Breast, a group of FW.190’s, and he attacked one of them. During this attack, a second F.W.190 came on his tail, and had already started to fire when P/O Gretkierewicz who did not leave his leader, fired a few bursts into it, this saving his leader’s life, setting the FW.190 on fire. F/O Sniec, who only saw the attacking aircraft and was not aware that P/O Gretkierewicz was in the vicinity, broke away and flew back to base. While P/O Gretkierewicz was occupied in attacking the FW. mentioned above, a second aircraft came on his tail and after finishing off the first, he started a dog-fight with the second. After a turn and a half he was already in the position to fire, so he gave a couple of bursts and the FW started to smoke when he noticed that a further 3 FW’s were formed up to attack him. Being alone and still in the region of Breast, he was forced to retreat. He dived to ground and returned to base, flying at zero feet. 1 FW.190 destroyed and 1 probably – confirmed.

On 14 February 1945 P/O Gretkierewicz flew as leader of 4 aircraft on an armed reconnaissance in the Seigfried line area, he attacked and destroyed 1 lorry and damaged another three, in spite of very intense flak. During these attacks his aircraft was hit in the cooland radiator, in the hub cap of the propeller, and in the cannons. He managed however to fly to an advanced base and land. On the same day, in the afternoon, he led a section of four to bomb the same region, and in spite of very bad weather conditions and strong flak, he attacked and bombed accurately a train, destroying the locomotive, in spite of strong MG’s. During these attacks, his aircraft was heavily damaged, but he managed to bring it to our own lines, where he forced landed. P/O Gretkierewicz has taken part in 185 sorties of all descriptions.

Claims: Aircraft destroyed 1 FW.190, Probable 2 FW 190; Destroyed 19 MET, 2 Locos; Damaged 21 MET, 16 Rly. Trucks.’

Remarks of Squadron Commander:
‘As a pilot, P/O Gretkierewicz is the most hardworking of the squadron. With courage he has been an exemplary fighter pilot and as a leader he has the highest qualifications.’

Remarks of Officer Commanding Wing:
‘P/O Gretkierewicz is on his second tour. He is a very hard working, conscientious and tenacious pilot. He shows extreme keenness on engaging the enemy in the air and on the ground, his attacks usually crowned with success as he puts his whole heart into his work. He is a very good leader and sections under his leadership always achieve very good results. He fully deserves the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.’

Władysław Gretkierewicz was born on 15 October 1916 in Kułaczkowce, Poland. In October 1940, he commenced training as an R.A.F. pilot, originally with Fairey Battles, before switching to Spitfires in September 1941. In October 1941 he was posted to 302 Polish Squadron, who had just converted to Spitfires. With rest periods, serving as an instructor, he would fly operationally with 302 Squadron until the end of the war. During his service he would fly a very large number of sorties (185), claiming 1 confirmed FW 190, 2 probables, and 58 vehicles destroyed and damaged, including 2 trains.

Gretkierewicz remained within the UK following the cessation of hostilities and in 1946 married Dorothy Thomson. He was naturalised as a British citizen in 1960, modified his title to Edward Edwards, working as a French polisher and upholsterer. He diedin Lincoln on 29 May 1984, aged 67, and is buried in St. Swithun’s Churchyard, Lincoln. His Virtuti Militari was numbered on the Legitymacja as 11097, and he was also awarded the Polish Air Force Medal with 2 Bars.

Sold with named Air Council Enclosure for the British campaign medals; six original photographs of recipient; a bound ‘copy’ of the recipient’s original logbook; and copies of combat reports and other research from the Sikorski Museum.