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234599 Sgt. Zygmunt Stefan Galazka Royal Air Force 304 (Silesia) Squadron from:Zyrardow Prior to WW2, Zygmunt Galazka's civilian profession was a locksmith mechanic working for the Polish Home Office servicing office machinery. He was in this role for 18 months. With the possibility of war, he joined the Polish Army and from 22nd March 1939 to 30th September 1939 was with the 36th infantry regiment with the Polish rank Plutonowy. Germany invaded Poland on 1st September 1939. Zygmunt was caught crossing the border into Russia and sent to a Siberian concentration camp. He was released by Stalin in September 1941 along with thousands of other Poles, following the German attack on Russia. He had been incarcerated for one year. Released Poles including women and children were told to travel to Persia (Iran) via the Caspian Sea. On 18th September 1941 he joined the 19th infantry regiment training in Iraq, known as Anders army, who were later sent to fight at Monte Casino, Italy. The Polish flag was the first to be planted on the top of the monastery. However, Zygmunt did not go to Italy as he had been classified as future personnel for the Polish Air Force and was shipped via South Africa to Greenock in Scotland for training. On 17th January 1943, was transferred to Royal Air Force. Service Number 704885. On 11th April 1943, was transferred to Polish Air Force Depot in Blackpool with the British war rank Corporal. On 21st April 1943, started training as pilot in 25 Polish Elementary Flying Training School. In February 1944, he restarted training in 25 EFTS. Then on 18th May 1944 was transferred to 16 SFTS. On 18th September 1944, he obtained a trade and insignia of pilot. Promoted to Flight Sergeant. On 3rd January 1945, he started training in 6 Operational Training Unit which was a training unit for Coastal Command. On the 12th April 1945, was attached to 304 Polish Squadron which at that period was under Coastal Command. Wellingtons were equipped with radar and a searchlight looking for U-Boats recharging their batteries on the surface at night. VE day was 8th May 1945. In December 1945, was transferred to Polish Resettlement Unit on RAF Station Hucknall. Please type your message:      We recommend you copy the text about this item and keep a copy on your own computer before pressing submit. Your Name:             Email Address:       @ **Please type the first part our your email in the first box (eg. john.smith) the @ sign is added automaticallly, please type the second part in the second box (eg. gmail.com). Do not enter your full email in each box or add an @ sign or random spaces.** Please type in the code shown here:    If you are unable to read the code please click here. If you have received an error message for incorrect code, please click to refresh the code before resending. This should overcome the error message.