Janusz Macinski was born on 12 June 1916 in Lodz, Poland, and was serving in the Polish Air Force before the war. Details of his service are currently unknown though there is an account of him being in action on the 1st of September 1939 with 112 Squadron, when his PZL P11 had to force-land east of Warsaw at Sulejowek after combat with German fighters.

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After Poland fell, many airmen regrouped in Romania before going on to serve in the French forces, but Macincski made his way directly to England and was commissioned in the RAF on 27 January 1940.

 

He was sent for assessment and training to 15 EFTS at Carlisle and went from there on 1 August 1940 to 6OTU Sutton Bridge to convert to Hurricanes.

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On the 20 August, Macinski landed on the aerodrome in Battle L5714 with the undercarriage retracted. On the 23rd he crashed in Hurricane N2354 at Walpole St Peter, Norfolk, due to a glycol leak. He was unhurt in both incidents.

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He was posted to 111 Squadron at Debden and was shot down in Hurricane Z2309 during combat with Me109s off Folkestone on 4 September 1940 and baled out.

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Macinski, aged 24, was reported Missing. There are reports claiming that he was machine-gunned by the Me109s in the air or in the water, but these have not been substantiated.

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He is commemorated on the Polish Air Force Memorial at Northolt in England.

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Medals awarded posthumously on 31 October 1947:

• Cross of Valour

• Pilot Wing

• Flying Badge

 

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Source: 303 Jag Squad Facebook post

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