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Marian BELC

Polish Air Force

Marian Bełc was born in Paplin (NE of Warsaw) Poland on 27 January 1914.  He graduated from the Polish Air Force NCO School for Minors as a pilot at. On 2 November 1934 he was assigned to the 143rd Fighter Squadron in Torun.

In autumn 1937 he was transferred to the Polish 152nd Fighter Escadrille in Wilno.

During the invasion of Poland Belc shot down his first plane, a Bf 109, on 3 September 1939.

After the Soviet invasion of Poland, he was evacuated to France via Romania. He served in the Groupe de Chasse et de Défense I/55 under the command of Zdzisław Krasnodebski. Two other Polish aces: Jan Zumbach and Stanisław Karubin served in the same unit.

After the fall of France Belc escaped to England, arriving there on 22nd June 1940, and was enlisted into the RAFVR. He went to the Polish Wing at 3 School of Technical Training at Blackpool to await a posting.

 All pilots of the Krasnodebski section were posted to the No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron. During the Battle of Britain Belc downed 6 German planes.

On 15 April 1941 married Audrey Stephenson, their son Marian Edward was born on 27 October 1941.

In 1942 Belc became an instructor in No. 58 Operational Training Unit. He was promoted to the officer’s rank in June 1942.

On 27 August 1942, Bełl was at Baladown, Gloucestershire on No. 3 Instructors Course when he was detailed to fly dual with another instructor, F/Lt. MH Holder, in a Master W8664. They made too low an approach and the aircraft crashed, both men being killed. Marian was 28 years old.

Marian Belc was laid to rest at Northwood Cemetery in Grave 267, Section H.

Awards

  • Virtuti Militari, Silver Cross

  • Cross of Valour, three times

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

  • Air Force medal

  • Defence medal

Source: IPN Facebook post

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