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THE CHINA MAIL, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 1958.

How a Polish Fighter Pilot Escaped to Freedom

MY COMPANIONS REPORT

MY BREAKAWAY TO BASE

M

voting.

to provent

Y next appointment were Instruments

of the people from with the Informa- sections tion. Officer was fix- choosing their political leaders. A fortnight before polling ed for cleven o'clock day, instructions were lasued on the morning of July 6, by the Central Committee of 1952. We were to meet in the National Front on how we Saski Park, Warsaw. It was were to vote. According to the electoral law. the voter had

the As I walked the right to strike out a Sunday, through the park-I saw that names of individual candidates the Information Officer was from the list on which he was

As already awaiting me.

The law provided also for a is to say, arranged, he was wearing secret ballot-that civilian clothes. I had al- the voter could study the ballot ready made up my mind not Paper in private and make the

desired alterations behind to spy on my colleagues and screen

at the polling station,

the Instructions pretended not to recognise However, him.

and the National Front made it walked 011

At clear that any attempt to alter bought an ice-cream.

the printed ballot paper would noon I watched him from a not be,

"patriotic," and voters distance and saw that he were urged not to exercisa was still sitting and await- their right to vole secretly. ing me, and that he was becoming very nervous.

1

I left the park. Our meeting. did not take place until Septem

he immediately ber 14 when questioned me about my failure to keep the earlier rendezvous. I insisted that I had kept the appointment and added: "You were reading a copy of Trybun Ludu and not a copy of Kurier

had Codzienny as

bren runged."

He

AT.

the

promptly, changed subject und told me that great

honour was, shortly to be con- ferred on me, I transferred to an

Baltie coast, the the elite of Aghter sent.

air base on

was to be where only pilots are

I was transferred to the 10th Fighter Squadron at Slubsk a the end of September. This was a great break for me, as could start planning my escape In earnest, Denmark did not appear on the operational maps riven to us, but we had been

Briefings told at Danish Island of Bornholm was the site of a big American air base. If 1 could get to Born- holm, 1 thought, American Jota would guide me lu.

that the

Lieutenant

FRANCISZEK JARECKI today ends his remarkable personal narrative

about it, and soon

Д

was carry

very

and one trying to escrpe.

convinced

EXCITEMENT.

was on

com-

It was my turn that afternoon. to elve a political pep talk to the men of my unit. This wa

to

be my last one at least,

ne

ing suit might be noticed. The lore me. I got there as fast as addresste of girl friends went I could, I could feel the plane, up in smoke, but, deliberately I vibrating as it approached the had not formed any close rela sound barrier..... tionships. I had been determined that no emailonal entanglements chould affect my plans.

Now the main thing to worry about was whether any Russian- plated fighters were nearby. 1 At 8:00 1. walked over to my turned the radio on to the so- aircraft. Four fighters were to called "battle wavelength (we patrol In two pairs. I was the bed two wavelengths, one for leader, so I could fix the order training and one for combat) of Dying. I said one pair would and discovered the four MG пу West along the Battle to were already in the alr Kolberg and then back to base, the radio I could hear the order

1

Tho

I

'

On

25,

725,

BORNHOLM

THE MISSION oft.' I knew the moment, had to take off. from. But I didn't

I

Supper was at eight o'clock-

was ten

SPOTTED

I had to

a

to the end of the runway and stopped with absolutely no room to spare. I couldn't do it again, even on orders.

on the list of voters. The ballot with one of the four alerted for having · Stone tried to didn't want to drop them over would have in They probably

ΟΣ

myself that there was some- thing supernatural in it. I con vinced myself that on that day I would either escape or i hoped so-so I made it good, and fold the pilot accompanying from Listopad:

that we should take a carry out Operation Krest," killed in the attempt.

I explained that the Polish Air me

Course at a slightly I brooded about it so much Force had to be kept in a state parallel

In a restaurant of readiness because war was higher altitude, 18,000 feet.

When I came to check my UDDENLY I was over Born- that at lunch

This was In with some other officers a few imminent.

engine, I found that the fuel holm, but where was the big of weeks before I escaped, I

I raised with Co

Communist Party pro-

determined to have my aircraft about?

Not fighter in sight my glass of vodka Impetuously paganda. And once again I ad- cut-out wasn't working. I was American air base I had heard and gave toast: "To March: B. vised my men to follow my completely intact when I land to escort me int True,

the map ed, so Luckily no one was suspicious. example in all things, I even

had the cut-out put I had taken the night before When I was asked

I reminded them of the sign which right. We taxied to the end of from the Why

Operations Room evaded the issue by saying that hung above the entrance

the runway. The first pair showed no air base, only a day I felt it was going to be a big regmental headquarters nt took

off. Then t switched runway. This had puzzled, mo HOW TO VOTE day: a crash-landing, somebody Warszawa-Kola, the air base at on the

radio

and sold, la when I looked Mti in my Yoom, would be killed, ar we would which was stationed before

a voice I tried to keep casual: but I assumed that the map was THREE days before polling

a particularly important being posted to Slubisk,

This is 731 calling, to take off out of date. I day I received a scaled letter

It read: Pilot Officers! You Listopad. May

take

I cut spoed to 700 kilometres from the senior political officer On January 20 another signi- are urged to follow the example (Listopad was

the code

name and circled the town of Roenne. at Slubsk requesting me to bo ficant thing happened—we got of Lieutenant Jarecki in carry- for the control tower at Finally I saw the runway: 'It

in the headquarters present

Slubak). shipment of ten new fighters, Ing cut your duties"

answer cama was only a strip of grass, much building at 5 o'clock on Sun-

They

were an improved model

back, "731, 731, you may take too short for jets to land on or day October 26, the date of the of the MIG 15. I was told con- election. The letter said that I

T. six o'clock the briefing come. I had a last look round have enough fuel to make Russian was to act as a member of the manitally by the base

calone! A omteer, a Ukrainian named and waved to my ground crow. Copenhagen, even I had District Electoral Committee named Babuncy that we Iwon, briefed Us on our They didn't know it was good wanted to risk being shot down.

lucky which would supervise the vote were

to have next day's mission.

I circled the field once, did. was bye, Ing. The day before the elec-

simple onc -0.3 knew: I made a final check of the two-thirds of a second circle, tien an order from the air base these aircraft. Only 15 had been

sent to Poland and none to

wo any

were to fly along the instruments, and my eye stayed cut my speed to 250 kilometres Commanding Officer was read other Communist country out- Baltic coast as far as Stettin, a second on the gun button. I and came in. A wire fence I to all ranks saying that all side the Soviet Union. Four of turn round and return by a was ready to fight my way out hadn't seen loomed in front of officers and men must vote.

a if I had to. My heart was me at the last minuto. "gun- them were withheld from train more southerly or the Lowes I pounding and my hands trembl- ned" the plane and barely clear I duly reported on the Sun- ing missions and put on a 24 Damn directly over town day

The landing was morning, an hour beforu the pulling station

hour alert in order to repel any had long since pinpointed as the Ing as I "gunned" the MIG into ed il

minutes miracle. I rolled all the way was open. "attack" from the West and to best spot from which to make a the air. It The Electoral Committee composed of nine officers and a ("cross" in Russian). To me on south of Bornholm,

out "Operation Krest" break, Kolberg, about 00 miles past nine. sergeant. The committee sat at ominous name, because it meant a lang table. and each offfeer had u list

There was a clump of trees at of the officers And to pursue and shoot down any roast pork, vegetables, pastries E soon ran into mist. This was cause for worry, because

the end of the runway. I taxi- and tea. My stomach was very men in his unit. As a man came in

unsteady. I couldn't touch the I had to and Kolberg-and Boted the plane to a point where it to to vote, he went the

But after five minutes fleer on the Committee who

pork and vegetables, but I did holm.

*was partly screened by the N was a member of his unit. The the morning of March 4 manage to swallow a pastry and flying the mist cleared and trees. I knew the four: Krest officer

there were no training flights, two strong

MIGs had Instructions to violato cups of tea, The could see Kolberg plainly. handed him ballot

The time had come.

foreign territory if necessary at me

'to planned, so I played in my room. other officers looked off his naine My room-male paper and struck

To pick up speed, curiously. I apologised duty rather

ing stomach-ache.

drop

the extra fuel tanks. I prevent a MIG from falling into

enemy hands. National Front candidates, paper contained

11st

ibe field MiGs. About 9:30 I tuned in Back in my room, The voter could fold up the

Radio Free Europe. The first listen to some dance music from the city so I ordered 728, the and tried to shoot it up on the AT SLUBSK

I heard was a bulletin in a West German station to take pilot in front of me, to move ground. I could hear them paper and place it in the ballot Polish, read at dictation speed, my mind off my impending of over the seamiho coastline runs height, but I never saw them. slightly to the right and out overhead, dying at -a-great ON reporting to Slubsk, I was box. This would mean that

was 10:30 rang the meteor the Govern- and saying that Stalia taken before a Soviet officer, fully supported

was almost due East and West here. I suppose they thought, I had 1. Later in

once again and seriously

the ological

Now the supreme moment of run for Copenhagen, the Deputy Commander of any ment. But, if he wished,

was an assured that the foreenst morning I heard similar

all had arrived. To jettison the me to at his own risk, the voter could nouncements by the BBC and hopeless for flying the next day. tanks I had to the local security

ottleer. The take the ballot list behind ધ Radio Warsaw.

I had a bath and went to bed in screen at the end of the room latter ordered me to continue

and strike out the name of

On my way to the mess hall frame of mind best left to the my work as a secret security oficer of my unit. I was asked candidate or even write in the for lunch I met the Deputy Com imagination.

For a couple of hours I turn my manding Officer, the one in

thumb slipped off it of air and unzipped, my flying to make regular reports. I was warned that British and Ameri-

The mere fact that he went charge of political training (each ed from one side to the other, Shaking, I tried again, I remem- suit. The relief was almost too

unit had two deputy command- vainly trying to sleep and think- ber I can agents might approach Ino

was sweating when the much to bear. I climbed out screen, however..

ст while off duty to find out do meant that he was dissatisfied one for operational and ing over my plans. What would tanks suddenly dropped and on to the wing. A young wo- tails of the new MIG jet with the one-party list of can- on for political matters). I be the best height to dive went, spinning down into the man with a baby in her arms

when I headed for Bornholm? sea. -didater.-and--his-name-was-looked at him sideways and cooly I should have the "pro-turn, due North," and put down knew. It wasn't—and yet the Aghters.

I made my right-angle came out of a nearby house. I asked: "Have you heard the icetion of American Aghters?

thought suddenly terrifying I went on planning

laken: In other words, my

newa?" "Yes," he replied. "It is decided to do it from

of the plane into "..struck me "Perhaps this is cape, but avoided telling the was pressure on the men

18,000 steep dive.

Communist territory" Information Oficer anything vote according to the instruc a terrible thing." Neither of us dec

make a clean dive

Over once. I was seen at about

With my hand on my "pistol colleagues

actually tions they had received

mentioned Stalin's feet and

all the way to Bornholm. There the radio came 728's excited holster I said in broken German night have got them

into the political officers during the Lunch

was the possibility that I might chatter: "731 is escaping! Hello Hier Kommunist?, meaning WAB trouble. It was rather dan- election compaign.

caten in the

Hello Listopad! 731 "Are there any Communists have to shoot because, although Listopadi. alience of suppressed excitement, the gerous game, and as the months NEW - DIARY

four fighters Afterwards I made

constantly

is making a getaway, 731 Is here?". short went by I became convinced

alerted af Slubsk probably

off!" going

with Her face was twisted that they were losing confidence MY thoughts were still dwell- training light in a Yak, I was would not catch me, I should

on 1. switched

own fright. She gasped. "No, no." Every day supposed to take up a MIG later be in danger of Russian fighters microphone and shouted back: Ving on escape. was

I turned and walked towards sull sharing my room, began to listened to the BBC, Radio but this flight was cancelled be- patrolling the Baltic.

"Yes, I am going, I am going to the control tower and a group Free Europe, the Volce

of bad weather. This was

TAKE-OFF get some medicine for Father of men came running, forward- Another factor which made America and Radio Ankara. In something really to worry about was going to escape the

Stalt was the arst thing that learned later. The spoke

to me more disgusted with life in this I was not alone. Many

JORMALLY on training flights, but it was the first thing that learned later!" went to the meteor- Poland was the conduct of the other officers in my unit alea next day.

# plogical office and was told next day,

such as that planned for the came into my heat!.

me all at once in Edglsh, clections in the autumn of last listened to foreign stations. On

our guns were not I knew that the radar screens German and Danish, but all Polling day was October occasions I caught my col- that a "warm front" was coming net

could year.

But I had

was Poland, Poland- say managed, back at Slubsk would trace my 20. By then I was already at leagues doing so, but I always in from the West, that the out- unknown to anyone, to get two fight and that the four MIGs Kommunists kaput" and then They made Slubsk. For weeks we had to pretended not to have noticed, look was bad and that there

probably be no flights night. Surprisingly,

23mm cannon loaded for this standing at "readiness" would "Azyl" (ssylum). attend political lectures. We although it was my duty as a would

I slept be in the air in seconds. But if I me understand that I was in were told of the "liberal" and "spy to report them to the next day.

Oficer.

fairly well after going over all got down to about 1,500 feet the Denmark, I knew then that I "democratic"

radar screen would probably was free, ratic" character of the Information

plans once more. Polish electoral law. I Wor The Christmas of 1932 came be a one day and that we shall

awoke about six o'clock, compared with electoral pro- and passed and with it the be able to fly," I said to the tumped out of bed and literally cedure in Western countries, New Year. One day I went in meteorological officer, and walk ran to the window: the sun was

The political officers told us to a shop in Slubsk and bought ed

* of the room.

shining, the sky clear. I shaved, universal suffrage, as we myself new diary, a rather

my way back to my room dressed and went down to a had in Poland, did not exist in expensive one.

Ume I dropped in at Operations Head breakfast of goulash, rolls and Western countries,

The of the way quarters, mast opened it because Cry

But it was Operations butter, and coffee. States, sold the it was bound-it fell open at Omeer was out, probably being not cary lo, sat; excitement offloors, men

in the the same date March 5. I had briefed on the crikiz for he had, w* went back to my room and

almost chaked armed forces did not have the been thinking of escape for so apparently, rushed out so fast right to

vote.

Women in

in long that after this had hap that he had left the map cup- spent an hour burning letters, Switzerland were prohibited pened a few times the date board unlocked.. I grabbed a papers and the pages of my from voung. All these bourgcols became a fixation with me, mop which showed Bornholm diary bearing the names of electoral laws, they said, had a There was nothing rational and Sweden, This, indeed, was friends. I couldn't take it with definito class clinracter and about it. I dreamed and thought a plece of unexpected, luck. me. Buleing pockets' in my -fly-

JUNE 18th 1953 at the APOLLO THEATRE wing who introduced

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7

THE OLD TEAM IS STILL BATTING

By EVE PERRICK ——

London. There were Sunny anti Suo, £4,500 a week in real dollars plause came a dark-haired man

and In the super supper spots of the. In a well-cut dinner-Jacket: WHAT happens to our Johnnie and Jane, Roste

topmost Robin, Doug and Mary. (Show USA. to see Britain's

"Funny," muted Me Thomas, distinguished visitors off style for the Marquis and cabaret act, Noel Coward (who "I didn't think he was such a when night falls?

the gels around £1,250 in true blue small man." I whispered hastily Marchioness of Blandford,

that, that wasn't him just his Day by day the sharper-eyed Earl and Countess of Dalkeith, sterling).

old "Where are the peoplet in pianist and here, came Spencer-Chur- spectators

Lady Rosemary at the

show may chill and flance Roblo Muir, Mr the crowd scene. I pointed to watch the captains and the kini and Mrs Fairbanks).,

quired Mr Thomas,

as, surveying King Coword, himself. come and go on their official and

consist THE MAN'S A GENIUS social outings.

There were Bir Billy Wallace, the gilt-edged galaxy

Me C. went into his net. Mr But when day is done where Mr Peter Ward, Bir Godfrey ing of one royal prince, a duke

and duchess, couple of am-'T." does, say, Queen Balote of Ton- Davis, Mr Chartes

Wonbassadors, a mass of mil "Gosh, he's cute," he exclaimed sat back and admired, En go for relaxation? And the Thero was the Spanish Amba Honaires, and a floorful of singe as Coward announced he Commonwealth Prime Ministers, sidor Duke Miguel Primo de and screen ators,

.40118 those American Senators notice strolling in Grosvenor Mis Plona Campbell-Waller dinary cash customers." I cx- Rivers. There were, naturally, Mr. and Mrs Bally Bullin, and Danny. "I'm referring to

These are people," queried now going to sing como

or he wished he had written In-

stend of some ho had. Squere, and "ell "the"

other And¬moja

"This guy really goes," sald plained that that illustrious-

a few moments later. For the world may be com- iittle lot was Mr. Coward's re- Becauso for the visitors For

what haven't ousted the home team Ing to town, but as far as the gular publics

beautiful from London's smart-to-be-seen- ringside seals Bro concerned,

the can handle that material-Wish head write soufal London, it seems, still belang bunch he's got something, but I thing for me. I'd learn to sponk Recently, for instance, there to w.

wonder, how he'd make out at English real good for those have been a acouple of Corona-A

the Copacabana (the gaudy, kinda lines tion balls, three drat-nights, two DANNY FINDS A GENIUS gin-palace in New York, where Final verdier, delivered by Mr important night club openings,

strangers around here?.

at spots.

and a amottering ? of tensor

was

Danny has recently been taking Thomas: "The man's a gonlus." {1} TOOK | America's | No. -1 in that :- £4,000);

There was even a possibility charity Hơs.... And who turned ¡cafe is entertainer,. Danny The lights, dimmed. Down the that he might, make out at the up? The old, familjar, faces, r

who foollesta varosind; stairs, to evtis encouraging ... apa. Copacabana,

switching

on

press a button

an electrical

I AM FREE

WAS safe. I pulled back the hood, sucked in a great gulp but of

I mechanism,

tho pressed button to jettison the tanks,

the nose

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