Raginis, Witold

Date of birth:: September 19th, 1923 (Szukieniszki, Poland)
Service number:: 794268
Nationality:: Polish

Biography

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Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Serjeant
Unit:: No. 305 (Wielpolska) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: April 27th, 1944

"In August 1942, Sergeant Raginis was rear gunner in an aircraft which was damaged by anti-aircraft fire while minelaying in the vicinity of Brest. A forced descent on the sea became necessary and the crew were rescued by French fishermen, sent by train to Paris and, a few days later, Sergeant Raginis was taken to a prisoners of war camp in Germany where he spent 6 months, part of the time in chains. With the intention of escaping when occasion offered Sergeant Raginis volunteered for work in a Polish mine. In June 1943, in company with Sergeant Bakalarski and a Polish civilian he slipped out while the night shift was returning from the mine and the barracks door was left open to let them in. They were met, unfortunately, by some members of the Gestapo; the civilian was killed and Sergeant Bakalarski was, later, recaptured. Sergeant Raginis evaded capture alone and managed to reach Cracow with the assistance of Polish patriots. After some time he was joined there by Sergeant Bakalarski, who had meanwhile escaped again, and they proceeded together to Germany as voluntary workers.

In September, 1943, they found it possible to escape into France and they reached Luneville on 15th September, 1943. From here, on 25th October, 1943, they set out to cross the Pyrenees with several others. The weather was extremely severe and one of the party became ill from exhaustion. While seeking help for the sick man, in company with the guide, Sergeant Raginis became seperated from the rest of the company and having lost his way, found himself again in France. In November 1943, he made a second attempt to cross the Pyrenees which met with success. He reached Andorra after a 5 hours climb. From there he followed the road into Escaldas and, from there, his subsequent journey through Spain and his final return to England at the end of November 1943 were arranged for him."