Born and raised in Poland, Czternastek began studying law at the University of Jan Kazimierz University in Lvov in 1934. He completed two years at the university before volunteering for the army, beginning his training at the Infantry Cadet School in Rozan in the fall of 1936; but because of his interest in gliding, in 1937 he transferred to the flying training school at Deblin, graduating in June of that year. He was posted to Poland's 123 Fighter Squadron.
On 1 Sept 1939 he flew to Warsaw, a member of the Polish Air Force's 'Pursuit Brigade' which was to defend the city. His aircraft was shot down by a German Messerschmitt Bf 110, but Czternastek bailed out safely.
He flew further missions until the Russian invasion; he escaped to Romania, from there making his way to Marseilles by the end of November 1939. Initially one of the Polish airmen whom France had grouped together at the Lyon-Bron airfield, he decided to join other Polish airmen who'd planned to go to England to enlist in the RAF.
Arriving in Dec 1939, Czternastek was posted to the training facility for Polish pilots at RAF Eastchurch; there he took courses in English along with courses in the principles of flight.
Following this training, he was posted was to 6 OTU in Sutton Bridge, Lincolnshire, and began flying Hurricanes. He was one of 'The Few' who participated in the Battle Of Britain after he joined 32 Squadron at Acklington, in Northumberland. He flew with 32 Squadron until December 1940 when he was posted to 615 Squadron in Kenley, London.
Flying Officer Czternastek was killed when his Hurricane V7598 KW-U aircraft came down at Appleton Manor Farm in Martin, near Whitfield Dover; it had collided with another Hurricane following a bomber escort sortie.
The name of F/O Stanislaw Czternastek is remembered with honour on the Polish War Memorial in Northolt, London. He is also commemorated at the Battle Of Britain London Monument.
On 1 Sept 1939 he flew to Warsaw, a member of the Polish Air Force's 'Pursuit Brigade' which was to defend the city. His aircraft was shot down by a German Messerschmitt Bf 110, but Czternastek bailed out safely.
He flew further missions until the Russian invasion; he escaped to Romania, from there making his way to Marseilles by the end of November 1939. Initially one of the Polish airmen whom France had grouped together at the Lyon-Bron airfield, he decided to join other Polish airmen who'd planned to go to England to enlist in the RAF.
Arriving in Dec 1939, Czternastek was posted to the training facility for Polish pilots at RAF Eastchurch; there he took courses in English along with courses in the principles of flight.
Following this training, he was posted was to 6 OTU in Sutton Bridge, Lincolnshire, and began flying Hurricanes. He was one of 'The Few' who participated in the Battle Of Britain after he joined 32 Squadron at Acklington, in Northumberland. He flew with 32 Squadron until December 1940 when he was posted to 615 Squadron in Kenley, London.
Flying Officer Czternastek was killed when his Hurricane V7598 KW-U aircraft came down at Appleton Manor Farm in Martin, near Whitfield Dover; it had collided with another Hurricane following a bomber escort sortie.
The name of F/O Stanislaw Czternastek is remembered with honour on the Polish War Memorial in Northolt, London. He is also commemorated at the Battle Of Britain London Monument.
Born and raised in Poland, Czternastek began studying law at the University of Jan Kazimierz University in Lvov in 1934. He completed two years at the university before volunteering for the army, beginning his training at the Infantry Cadet School in Rozan in the fall of 1936; but because of his interest in gliding, in 1937 he transferred to the flying training school at Deblin, graduating in June of that year. He was posted to Poland's 123 Fighter Squadron.
On 1 Sept 1939 he flew to Warsaw, a member of the Polish Air Force's 'Pursuit Brigade' which was to defend the city. His aircraft was shot down by a German Messerschmitt Bf 110, but Czternastek bailed out safely.
He flew further missions until the Russian invasion; he escaped to Romania, from there making his way to Marseilles by the end of November 1939. Initially one of the Polish airmen whom France had grouped together at the Lyon-Bron airfield, he decided to join other Polish airmen who'd planned to go to England to enlist in the RAF.
Arriving in Dec 1939, Czternastek was posted to the training facility for Polish pilots at RAF Eastchurch; there he took courses in English along with courses in the principles of flight.
Following this training, he was posted was to 6 OTU in Sutton Bridge, Lincolnshire, and began flying Hurricanes. He was one of 'The Few' who participated in the Battle Of Britain after he joined 32 Squadron at Acklington, in Northumberland. He flew with 32 Squadron until December 1940 when he was posted to 615 Squadron in Kenley, London.
Flying Officer Czternastek was killed when his Hurricane V7598 KW-U aircraft came down at Appleton Manor Farm in Martin, near Whitfield Dover; it had collided with another Hurricane following a bomber escort sortie.
The name of F/O Stanislaw Czternastek is remembered with honour on the Polish War Memorial in Northolt, London. He is also commemorated at the Battle Of Britain London Monument.
On 1 Sept 1939 he flew to Warsaw, a member of the Polish Air Force's 'Pursuit Brigade' which was to defend the city. His aircraft was shot down by a German Messerschmitt Bf 110, but Czternastek bailed out safely.
He flew further missions until the Russian invasion; he escaped to Romania, from there making his way to Marseilles by the end of November 1939. Initially one of the Polish airmen whom France had grouped together at the Lyon-Bron airfield, he decided to join other Polish airmen who'd planned to go to England to enlist in the RAF.
Arriving in Dec 1939, Czternastek was posted to the training facility for Polish pilots at RAF Eastchurch; there he took courses in English along with courses in the principles of flight.
Following this training, he was posted was to 6 OTU in Sutton Bridge, Lincolnshire, and began flying Hurricanes. He was one of 'The Few' who participated in the Battle Of Britain after he joined 32 Squadron at Acklington, in Northumberland. He flew with 32 Squadron until December 1940 when he was posted to 615 Squadron in Kenley, London.
Flying Officer Czternastek was killed when his Hurricane V7598 KW-U aircraft came down at Appleton Manor Farm in Martin, near Whitfield Dover; it had collided with another Hurricane following a bomber escort sortie.
The name of F/O Stanislaw Czternastek is remembered with honour on the Polish War Memorial in Northolt, London. He is also commemorated at the Battle Of Britain London Monument.
Inscription
POR
S. CZTERNASTEK
615 SQDN
5TH FEBRUARY 1941 AGE 24
POLISH FORCES
Gravesite Details
Buried 12 Feb 1941
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