Nationality: British

Serial number: R6713

Unit: 65 Squadron

Call sign: Not known

Date of loss: 18/08/1940

Pilot Flying Officer Franek Gruszka took off from RAF Rochford in the early afternoon to intercept a German bomber formation over east Kent. He was last seen by his squadron dogfighting with German fighters over Canterbury and chasing a fleeing Me109. At 1.30pm, an eye-witness on the ground saw a Spitfire, engine screaming, dive into the ground at a 45 degree angle and explode. The aircraft was completely out of control and the pilot did not attempt to pull out of the dive. The aircraft crashed into the Grove Marshes between Westbere and Wickhambreaux, where it lay undisturbed until 1971.



The crash site was the subject of an exploratory dig by the Kent Battle of Britain Museum in 1971, during which numerous items were recovered, including items positively identifying the aircraft. It also appears that the remains of the pilot and his parachute were also discovered. The authorities were informed, but because of a number of clerical errors, the MoD failed to recover the remains until 1975, when they ordered a complete excavation of the site. At this point the pilot's remains, the instrument panel and windscreen were recovered. The pilot was able to be identified by the Polish insignia on his uniform and an engraved fountain pen bearing his name. F/O Gruszka was buried with full military honours on the 17th July 1975, at Northwood Cemetery, Middlesex.



F/O Gruszka was born in 1910 into a wealthy Polish family. After serving in the army, he graduated from the Air Force Academy, initially as an instructor. He escaped from Poland to France and was commissioned into the RAFVR in March, 1940. He joined 65 Squadron on the 7th August, 1940. He is believed to have shot down a Heinkel 111 while flying with the Polish Air Force in 1939 and a further two Me109s during the Battle of Britain.





The items on display here are from the first excavation and consist of a section of airframe still with some of its camouflage paint and a small section of Rolls Royce Merlin engine casing.