Jerzy Bajan
Jerzy Bajan | |
---|---|
Lemberg, Austria-Hungary | |
Died | 27 June 1967 London, England | (aged 66)
Buried | Northwood Cemetery, London, England |
Allegiance | Poland United Kingdom |
Service/ | |
Years of service | 1918-1945 |
Rank | Colonel Pilot |
Unit |
|
Battles/wars |
Jerzy Bajan (4 May 1901 – 27 June 1967) was a prominent Polish sports and military aviator, winner of the
Early military career
He was born in
Despite experiencing health problems, he completed the Officer Flying School in Grudziądz and a higher pilotage course in Bydgoszcz and became a fighter pilot. In 1927, he served in 114th Fighter Escadre in Lida, from 1928 moved to Kraków and renamed the 122nd Fighter Escadre of the 2nd Fighter Regiment. In the beginning of the 1930s he was promoted to Captain.
Sport activities
During service in a fighter unit, his passion became
Bajan also took part in aviation contests. In July–August 1930 he took part in International Touring Aircraft Contest, the
In 12–28 August 1932 Bajan took part in another
In the last International Touring Aircraft Contest, the
Later military career
In the second part of the 1930s, Bajan was promoted to Major. After a practice in Great Britain, he became a Chief of Training in a Higher Flying School in Grudziądz. In 1936-1938 he studied at Higher War School in Warsaw, which he graduated. On 15 June 1939, in a rank of Colonel, he became a chief of Flying Cadet School in Flying Officer Training Centre in Dęblin.
World War II and post-war
After outbreak of World War II, Bajan was injured in the left hand during a Luftwaffe bombing raid on Dęblin on 2 September 1939, and his hand became disabled. Along with other Polish pilots, he escaped to France in 1940, then to Great Britain. He occupied staff positions in the Polish Air Force in exile, but he also occasionally flew aircraft, having attached a hook to his hand. He served initially in a Polish Air Force Inspectorate. From 7 April to 17 October 1941 he was the first Polish liaison officer in Royal Air Force Training Command (a chief of the Polish training aviation in Great Britain). In 1942, he took part in several combat flights in No. 316 Polish Fighter Squadron. From 1 June 1943, after the death of Stefan Pawlikowski, he became a Polish liaison officer in RAF Fighter Command - a chief of the Polish fighter aviation. Promoted to Colonel, he occupied this position until post-war, when it was liquidated.
After the war he stayed in London instead of returning to a communist-ruled country. Bajan actively worked in the Polish Aviators Association in Great Britain, serving as its president for a time. He led the historical commission, that researched a list of Polish air victories during World War II, known as the "Bajan's list". He also was a co-founder of the Polish Gliding Club at Lasham. He received disability benefits. Bajan died on 27 June 1967 in London.
References
- Jerzy R. Konieczny, Tadeusz Malinowski: Mała encyklopedia lotników polskich, WKiŁ, Warsaw 1983, ISBN 83-206-0337-4(in Polish)