2009-06-26
Written by Grzegorz Klimasiński
11th Fighter Aviation Regiment OPL OK. to the Złotów Land.
December 1, 1950 – September 30, 1967
Military Unit 3779
The transition of Polish aviation to a peacekeeping organization after the end of the war ended at the end of 1949. It consisted of only three fighter regiments, three assault regiments, one bomber regiment and one transport regiment. These forces were disproportionately small in relation to the area of the country, therefore, planners from the General Staff of the Polish Army envisaged the expansion of both the entire armed forces and the air force itself to meet current needs. After the approval of the then authorities, its intentions were included in the first Six-Year Plan for 1950-1955.
At the beginning of 1950, the implementation of a six-year plan for the expansion of military aviation began. As part of this plan, on July 11, 1950, the Minister of National Defense issued organizational order number 070 / org. on the basis of which the 11th Anti-Aircraft Defense Fighter Aviation Regiment of the National Area was formed as Military Unit No. 3779 with the formation site at the Poznań Ławica airport with position 6/101, with 222 soldiers and 1 contract employee and equipped with Jak 9 fighter planes. The organizational base The staff of the 5th Fighter Aviation Division of the Polish Air Defense Force OK was responsible for the creation of the new unit. in Warsaw and its subordinate units 1, 2, 3, PLM - from where the flying and technical staff as well as aviation equipment were supplemented. The 21st Airport Maintenance Battalion stationed at the Poznań Ławica airport became the supply base.
The current deputy commander of the OSL in Dęblin for basic pilotage, Major Pil, was appointed as the commander of the regiment. Zygmunt Ostrowski, former PSP officer in the West, pilot of the 318th Fighter Squadron, who took up this position on October 14, 1950.
According to the order, the formation of the regiment was to take place in the period from October 1 to December 1, 1950. The process itself was a very difficult undertaking because there was a lack of both trained personnel and equipment. Additionally, these difficulties were intensified by the fact that at the same time another unit of the 21st Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment was being formed at the same airport. Therefore, after the period of initial formation of the regiment's structures, the unit's personnel were transferred to another airport near Krzesiny in Poznań. After the transfer of the 7th PLB to the airfield in Malbork, the 11th PLM squad returned to the airfield in Ławica and completed the formation process, achieving two combat squadrons equipped with Jak 9 M. and Jak 9 P aircraft. In April 1951, the regiment permanently moved to the airfield in Krzesiny. In addition to combat aircraft, the regiment is equipped with Jak 9 W, Jak 11 and Po 2 training aircraft. At the Krzesiny airport, the unit was supplied by the 55th Airport Maintenance Battalion.
In the initial period of its existence, the regiment was an independent unit directly subordinated to the Air Command. Even though it was originally a fighter regiment, its tasks included training OSL graduates for fighter aircraft. The intensity of training can be proven by the regiment's raid in the first year of its existence - 8,956 sorties in 2,666 hours. 16 min. With such a large raid, there were only two failures, which proves the good level of training.
At the end of that year, there were also great changes in Polish aviation dictated by the increase in political tension between the two superpowers, which resulted in the Korean crisis. In December of that year, an order was issued by the Ministry of National Defense ordering the expansion of aviation (order 0096/org of December 11, 1951), in which the regiment was included in the newly formed 11th Fighter Aviation Division in Świdwin. This tactical formation was to include:
JW. 3779 - 11 PLM at Zegrze Pomorskie airport. JW. 4600 - 24 PLM at Świdwin airport (newly formed). JW. 4519 - 27 PLM at Świdwin airport (newly formed).
This inclusion was only of a planning nature, as the events of the following year meant that the regiment never entered the structure of this division.
Unfortunately, the beginning of 1952 brought the first disaster in the history of the unit. On January 31, during training flights to shoot at ground targets on a Jak 9 P plane piloted by a warrant officer. Leonard Stypek suffered an engine failure. While making an emergency landing at the Poznań Ławica airport, the pilot crashes the plane and dies in its remains. Despite this tragic accident, intensive training of young pilots needed for new units continues. On June 18, 1952, the regiment commander changed. The current commander leaves PZL Mielec for the position of aircraft tester, and the duties of commander were taken over by Major Pil. Władysław Lewiński, current commander of the 1st squadron of the regiment.
In September 1952 selected personnel receive training for jet aircraft. Even though the domestic aviation industry has started license production of LiM aircraft, the 1st Regiment is to be equipped with Yak 23 aircraft.
In November 1952 an order was published introducing further changes in the organization of aviation (Ministry of National Defense order No. 0078/org of November 19, 1952). This was due to the fact that the order from December 1951 assumed too rapid expansion of aviation beyond the economic capabilities of the state. Based on this order, as of December 31, 1952, the regiment became part of the newly formed 6th Fighter Aviation Division in Wrocław, together with the 3rd PLM stationed at the Wrocław Strachowice airport.
In December 1952 There is another change in the position of the regiment commander - on December 15, Capt. takes over the duties. pil. Franciszek Kamiński, later general and Commander of the Air Force. Also this month, the first Jak 17 W jet-powered training and combat aircraft are delivered to the unit.
The year 1953 was another year of intensive training flights but also further changes, especially in equipment.
In February 1953 the regiment is rearmed with Jak 23 jet aircraft. The previously used Jak 9 P piston aircraft are successively transferred to OSL-5 in Radom, 21 PLZ and to repair plants.
Despite the change in equipment, the nature of the tasks performed does not change - young pilots who graduated from OSL were further trained for fighter aircraft, this time they are jet-powered aircraft. In March, the Yak 11 planes are replaced by Yak 18 planes, which are more helpful in training jet pilots.
Training on new, largely worn-out equipment results in a number of failures, forced landings and subsequent disasters. Already on March 2, 1953 when approaching for landing, due to a failure of the hydraulic system, the landing gear in the plane piloted by Lt. Pilot fails to extend. Jan Skibiński. Five days later (March 7, 1953), Warrant Officer Pil. Due to loss of geographical orientation and running out of fuel, Józef Kobycz is forced to land near Konin. The plane was written off after significant damage. Unfortunately, the next month there was a second plane crash. On April 9, 1953 dies on the Jak 23 plane, lieutenant pilot Józef Chudzik near the city of Śrem.
Despite these tragic events, intensive aviation training continues. There are 47 pilots trained in the regiment. In September 19053 The first MiG 15 UTI units are delivered to the unit, which heralds the rearmament of the entire regiment with MiG 15/LiM 1 aircraft.
October 23, 1953 there is another change in the command of the regiment - the current commander, Major Pil. Kamiński is sent to study in the USSR, and the duties are taken over by Major Pil. Tadeusz Abramczuk, current deputy for pilotage.
The year 1954 was a year of major organizational changes in the Polish Air Force, which also affected the regiment.
Along with the expansion of aviation, there was also the development of military education educating aviation personnel. There was a gap in the military education system - there was no training and combat unit that would train OSL graduates for the needs of fighter aviation. So far, these tasks have been carried out by 11 PLMs, but due to the establishment of two aviation schools, they were unable to complete them. Therefore, it was intended to create a new Fighter Aviation Training Regiment and shift the 11th PLM to purely fighter tasks.
From the beginning of 1954, the aviation training of the next group of pilots was intensified. Unfortunately, the training course was interrupted by another disaster, in which he died on June 3, 1954. pilot of the 1st Squadron, second lieutenant pil. Ryszard Pirek. The crash was the result of the pilot losing consciousness while performing higher pilotage figures. The Jak 23 plane and its pilot crashed near Wiry near Poznań.
At the end of August, the last MiG 15 planes that the Warsaw 5 DLM had in stock were brought to the regiment from the Bemowo airport by the pilots of 3 PLM.
In September 1954 an order of the Ministry of National Defense was issued, based on which the 62nd Fighter Aviation Training Regiment was created on the basis of the second squadron of the regiment, based at the Poznań Krzesiny airport and included in the 6th DLM, while the 11th PLM was, by the same order, subordinated to the 10th DLM in Słupsk with the simultaneous transfer relocation to the new airport in Debrzno.
September 1954 This is a period of very intensive work related to the reformation of the unit. The Jak 23 planes were transferred to OSL 5 in Radom and the MiG 15 planes were left for the new unit. The regiment was transferred to the new airport at the end of September 1954. with very modest resources. Two MiG 15 UTI, 3 Jak 9P and CSS 13 landed in Debrzno. 55 BOL were also transferred. They did not have to wait long for the stock to be supplemented - on October 10, 1954. 10 brand new LiM 1 planes landed. The regiment's staff was also supplemented with graduates of officers' schools and junior specialist schools, and after the staff was supplemented, the regiment became a part of the 10th DLM on May 1, 1955.
The new airport did not have any infrastructure yet, so in the initial period the regiment's headquarters and barracks were located in the city itself until the barracks buildings were built. There were no hangars built, and work on aircraft equipment was carried out outdoors.
Despite difficult living conditions, aviation training continues. On June 18, 1955, during a training air combat, he was killed in the remains of the LiM 1 plane near the airport near Stare Gronowo. pil. Tadeusz Sołtysiak.
In January 1956, the regiment received the first batch of new LiM 2 aircraft and the older LiM 1 planes were gradually transferred to attack aviation units. This process lasts practically all year round.
November 23, 1956 the duties of the regiment commander are taken over by Major Pil. Jerzy Bażanow.
The year 1957 was another reorganization of aviation. A new type of troops was created in July - the Anti-Aircraft Defense Forces, which consisted of three corps. They were created as a result of reforming the designated existing air defense divisions.
August 16, 1957 during a flight to the airport in Mińsk Mazowiecki, as a result of a pilot error, the 2nd Lt. Pil was killed on the LiM plane. Józef Grave.
December 1, 1957 pursuant to the organizational order of the Commander of the Air Force and OPL OK No. 033/Org. of July 24, 1957, on the basis of 10 DLM OPL, the 2nd Anti-Aircraft Defense Corps was established in Bydgoszcz and the following air regiments were included in it: 11 PLM from Debrzno. 25 PLM from Pruszcz Gdański. 26 PLM from Zegrze Pomorskie. 28 PLM from Słupsk.
December 4, the Commander of the Air Force by order No. 0295/Oper. of December 4, 1957 in order to ensure airfield maneuvers and to get the Air Force units out of harm's way, he designated for the 11th PLM: - Okonek (Wilcze Laski).
On June 27, 1958, in the vicinity of the airport, 11 second lieutenants died in the wreckage of a Jak 11 plane. pil. Stefan Wielgus and Capt. tech. Bogdan Kowalski.
July 24, 1958 the regiment receives 12 new LiM 5 aircraft, which allows the creation of another squadron. From that moment on, the regiment has a three-squadron structure.
October 8, 1958, becomes a very important day in the history of the regiment. when, by resolution of the State Council, the unit receives a banner funded by the society of Złotów County. The act of presenting the banner was performed by the commander of the 2nd Corps, Brig. pil. Michal Jakubik. From that moment on, the banner bears an embroidered inscription: "11th Fighter Aviation Regiment named after Ziemia Złotów".
In 1959, the regiment commanders changed twice: on January 10, 1959. the duties are taken over by captain. pil. Zenon Zieleziński, on April 20, 1959 hand over command to captain pil. Zdzisław Kozik.
April 24, 1959 near the town of Ogorzeliny, another pilot of the regiment, 2nd Lieutenant, dies on a LiM 2 plane. pil. Zygmunt Portko.
July 19, 1959 There was an attempt to hijack a PO 2 plane from the 8th Air Attack Division in Bydgoszcz by conscript soldiers. Despite full cloud cover, storm, rain and fog at On December 23, the Lim-2 plane on duty, piloted by Lt. pilot, took off from the Debrzno airport. Jan Szczepański, whom he guided to the target of PPN 11 PLM OPL. The fighter plane flew in the target area several times. At 00.06, Lt. pilot took off from Debrzno airport. Eugeniusz Maćkowski. Although the pilot could not see the deserter's plane - his air maneuvers directly put an end to further escape, because PO 2's plane fell into the jet stream and lost control. As a result, the PO 2 plane fell in the forest near the town of Łobez and was destroyed. The next day, the deserters were caught by a citizens' militia patrol.
On October 11, 1959 A squadron of LiM 5 aircraft takes part in an air parade over Bydgoszcz on the occasion of Polish Army Day.
In 1960, the regiment also took part in air parades, which became part of the history of Polish Aviation.
In May 1960 the regiment receives the first LiM 5 P aircraft equipped with radar stations.
July 17, 1960 in the parade organized to commemorate the 550th anniversary of the historic victory over the Teutonic Knights over the fields of Grunwald, the regiment composed of 16 crews (LiM 5 and LiM 2) formed the left diamond in the TAFLA grouping. For its participation in this parade, the regiment was awarded the Grunwald Medal. On September 11, 1960 on the occasion of Aviation Day over Łódź, TAFLA was repeated with the same composition.
This year, the regiment said goodbye to the Jak 11 aircraft and in their place received the Polish-designed TS 8 "Bies" aircraft.
For the period from July 15 to September 30, 1962, the regiment was transferred to the Wdzydze reserve airfield. This was dictated by renovation works at the airport in connection with retrofitting with new equipment.
On September 16, 1963, the first MiG 21 F13 planes landed at the airport in Debrzno. These aircraft in various versions will constitute the regiment's equipment until it is disbanded, i.e. for the next 25 years.
At the same time, training for this type of aircraft was organized under the leadership of Col. Pilot. Władysław Hermaszewski. They made their first independent flights on October 17, 1963. pilots: Lt. Col. Pil. E.Zamorski, captain pil. F. Skowroński, captain pil. W. Rozmieniiec, captain pil. J. Gołębiowski, captain pil. A. Mężyk, captain pil. W. Świtoniak, captain pil. A. Yekateryńczuk, lieutenant pilot R. Grabarski.
November 20, 1963 in another disaster, a lieutenant pilot dies. Tadeusz Gawrysiak during landing approach in difficult weather conditions on the LiM 2 plane.
In May 1964, another version of the MiG 21 in the PF version entered the regiment's equipment. This allowed the older version of the F13, which was delivered in August, to be transferred to other units.
The next deliveries of MiG 21 PF took place in January 1965. This allowed the squadron to be expanded to a total of 12 aircraft. Since July 1965, the 1st Squadron has been equipped with MiG 21 planes, the 2nd Squadron with LiM 5P planes and the 3rd Squadron with LiM 5 planes.
On January 26, 1966, in the crash of the LiM 5 P plane, Lt. pilot died in the area of Krępsk near Człuchów. Jan Siemieński.
Despite this disaster, the regiment's activity was highly appreciated by its superiors. The OPK Army Command summarized the training competition. Among the OPK plm, 3rd place was taken by 11 OPK plm in DEBRZNO.
Pursuant to the order of the Ministry of National Defense No. 07 of May 4, 1967, many aviation units changed their names and numbers, returning to the tradition of regiments with a combat origin. The regiment was obliged to inherit the war traditions of the 9th Fighter Aviation Regiment existing in 1944-1946.
The executive order on this matter was published on September 30, 1967 (Ministry of National Defense No. 026).
Commanders of the 11th Fighter Aviation Regiment 1950-1967:
Major Pil. Zygmunt Ostrowski (17/10/1950 - 18/06/1952), major pilot. Władysław Lewiński (June 18, 1953 - December 15, 1952), major pilot. Franciszek Kamiński (15/12/1952 - 23/10/1953), major pilot. Tadeusz Abramczuk (October 23, 1953 - November 23, 1956), major pilot. Jerzy Bażanow (November 23, 1956 - January 10, 1959), captain pil. Zenon Zieleziński (10/01/1959 - 20/04/1959), major pilot. Zdzisław Kozik (20/04/1959 - 05/07/1961), major pilot. Edward Zamorski (05/07/1961 - 20/12/1965), major pilot. Zygmunt Wojciechowski (20/12/1965 - 30/09/1967).
Pilots died in the death of an aviator in 11 PLM:
Chor. pil. Leonard Styperek, 31/01/1952, Jak 9 P. Lieutenant pil. Józef Chudzik, 09/04/1953, Jak 23. Second lieutenant pil. Ryszard Pirek, 03/06/1954, Jak 23. Second lieutenant pil. Tadeusz Sołtysiak, 18/06/1955, LiM 1. Second lieutenant pil. Józef Grób, 16/08/1956, LiM 2. Second lieutenant pil. Stefan Wielgus, 27/06/1958, Jak 11. Captain tech. Bogdan Kowalski, 27/06/1958, Jak 11. Second lieutenant pil. Zygmunt Portko, 24/04/1959, LiM 2. Lieutenant pil. Tadeusz Gawrysiak, 20/11/1963, LiM 2. Lieutenant pil. Jan Siemieński, 26/01/1966, LiM 5 P.
Prepared by: Grzegorz Klimasiński on June 29, 2009.
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