Polish aircrew - Avro Lancaster PA269
3.7 miles away
Leicestershire
Leicester Lancaster Memorial
300 Polish Bomber Squadron: Lancaster PA269 crash - tree
Leicester, Leicestershire
Comprehensive Record
Photographs
The Memorial
It is maintained by Leicester City Council.
Type
Plaque
Inscription
This Plaque Has Been Erected in Memory of the Airmen of 300 Polish Squadron Who, Whilst Flying Lancaster Bomber A1 Pa 269 Over Leicester on 4th February 1946 Crashed on This School Site Killing the Following Crew Members [crew Names Inscribed on Memorial]
LocationApproximate Location
Leicester, Leicestershire, Leicestershire
what3words: ///newly.assure.cook
What Happened
Lancaster PA269, crewed by six Polish airmen of 300 (Masovia) Squadron PAF from Faldingworth, was on a routine flight when it crashed at Wigston, Leicester, on 4 February 1946. The aircraft is believed to have been struck by lightning during a violent thunderstorm. With the bomber ablaze, the crew steered it away from the streets and houses below, directing it toward a ploughed field behind Long Street Modern School — missing the building by less than ten feet. All six crew members were killed: W. Brzezinski, W. Jedrzejczyk, F. Mikula, C. Sulgut, R. Sulinski, and M. Szwandt. Their actions prevented casualties among the 80 children sheltering inside the school at the moment of impact. Some residents suffered minor injuries, but there were no deaths on the ground.
Community Connection
Every memorial has a story — why it was built, who campaigned for it, and what it means to the local community. If you know the story behind this memorial, we would love to hear it.
Share this memorial's storyRemembrance
An annual commemorative service is held on 18 August.
300 Polish Bomber Squadron: Lancaster PA269 crash - tree
A memorial avenue/tree or grove commemorating the non-combat deaths of the 300 Polish Bomber Squadron, specifically the crash of Lancaster PA269 into a tree.
Sounding of the Last Post(18 August)
A ceremonial bugle call traditionally sounded at sunset to honor those who died during World War I and II.
Service(18 August)
Multiple services held on this date, possibly including the Sounding of the Last Post and other ceremonial activities.
Aircraft & Operation Details
Aircraft Type
Lancaster
Serial Number
PA269
Squadron
300 (Masovia) Squadron PAFStation
Faldingworth
Date of Loss
1946-02-04
Crew (6 members)
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Leicester City Council
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Leicester Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Leicester City Councilparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
IWM War Memorials RegisterRetrieved 2026-03-23
IWM registers a wall-mounted plaque commemorating the airmen of 300 Polish Bomber Squadron killed when Lancaster PA269 crashed on Long Street, Wigston, Leicester on 4 February 1946. All six crew members were killed.
What you'll find: A wall-mounted plaque honoring fallen airmen at Leicester's Lancaster Memorial.
IWM memorial reference 55366Crash location was Long Street, WigstonAll six Polish crew killed
IWM War Memorials Register (tree memorial)Retrieved 2026-03-23
A second IWM-registered memorial -- a commemorative tree -- also marks the site of the Lancaster PA269 crash in Wigston, providing a living memorial alongside the plaque.
What you'll find: A poignant tree memorial honoring the Lancaster PA269 crash victims at Leicester's Wigston.
IWM memorial reference 55367Commemorative tree memorial
Oadby and Wigston Borough CouncilRetrieved 2026-03-23
In February 2026, Oadby and Wigston Borough Council marked the 80th anniversary of the crash. The Lancaster, on a routine flight from RAF Faldingworth, was believed to have been hit by lightning during a violent thunderstorm. The pilot, Wing Commander Romuald Sulinski KSOVM DSO DFC, avoided Long Street and the nearby school, steering towards a ploughed field. The aircraft crashed at approximately 13:25, missing Long Street Modern School by less than 10 feet.
What you'll find: Explore Leicester Lancaster Memorial's history and significance at Oadby and Wigston Borough Council's 80th anniversary event in February 2026.
80th anniversary marked February 2026Pilot was Wg Cdr Sulinski DSO DFCBelieved struck by lightningMissed school by less than 10 feetCrew buried at Newark-Upon-Trent Polish war graves
War Memorials OnlineRetrieved 2026-03-23
War Memorials Online registers the Faldingworth memorial to 300 Squadron Polish Air Force, providing broader context for the Polish squadron's presence in Lincolnshire and their post-war losses.
What you'll find: The Faldingworth Memorial honoring 300 Squadron Polish Air Force on War Memorials Online.
Faldingworth 300 Squadron memorial registered
Nearby Memorials
Sources
IWM War Memorials Register (retrieved 2026-03-23)
IWM War Memorials Register (tree memorial) (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Oadby and Wigston Borough Council (retrieved 2026-03-23)
War Memorials Online (retrieved 2026-03-23)
IWM (memorial/55366) (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-04-09
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