MARKIEWICZ ANTONI

Born on 13 january 1915 at Sandomierz. There he graduated two classes of a secondary school. In 1931 he joined Szkola Podoficerow Lotnictwa dla Maloletnich (Air Force NCO School for Minors) at Bydgoszcz. He graduate in 1934 as an aircraft
mechanic. He completed a flying course at Centrum Wyszkolenia Oficerow Lotnictwa (Air Force Officers Training Centre) at Deblin and an Advanced Flying Course at Grudziadz. He flew with 122 Eskadra Mysliwska (122nd Fighter Flight). At times he flew with the training flight of 2 Pulk lotniczy (2nd Air Regiment) as an instructor. While serving in 2 Pulk Lotniczy he passed his General Certificate of Education exams in 1939. In September 1939 he fought in 122 Eskadra Mysliwska which supported the Krakow Army. On 1 September 1939 he shot down an Hs 126. He also probably shot down 1/2
Do 17 on 2 September 1939 and 1/2 He 111 on 3 September 1939. He was evacuated to Rumania by air. Via Beirut he reached France. In France he flew in the Polish I/145 Fighter Squadron City of Warsaw . He was credited 1/3 Do 17 shot down in defence of Paris. Via Oran and Casablanca he was evacuated to Britain. After short conversion training, he was posted on 6 august 1940 to no. 302 (Polish) Fighter Squadron City of Poznan at Leconfield. With this unit he participated in the Battle of Britain. On 26 October 1940 he probably shot down a Bf 109. On 23 December 1940 he was awarded Krzyz Walecznych (Cross of Valour). during a sortie over the English Channel, in bad wether, he hit a wave. He was lucky to get back to the shore and crash-land. However, he was suspended in flying. On 3 February 1942 he was trensferred to Aircraft Delivery Unit, and on 8 October 1942 to no. 16 (Polish) Elementary Flying Training School as an instructor. On 1 May 1943 he was posted to the Cadet Officers1 School. He graduated in August 1943. Before leaving the military service in 1948,
he completed a radio-electronic course at the Polish Air Force depot at Blackpool. After release from the air force he worked initially as a radio-TV technician, then he opened a private buisness. He changed his name to A.L.Martin.
For his combat achievements he was awarded Krzyz Walecznych on 23 december 1940, a bar to it on 20 August 1942, and a second bar on 31 October 1947.