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Title
Pilot Officer Andrew Charles Mynarski (1916–1944), VC
Date
2004
Medium
bronze, Canadian granite & slate
Measurements
H 350 x W 330 x D 177 cm (E)
Accession number
DL2_HJC_S029
Acquisition method
purchased by public subscription and Heritage Lottery funding
Work type
War memorial
Owner
Teesside International Airport Ltd
Custodian
Middleton St George Memorial Association
Work status
extant
Unveiling date
4th June 2005
Access
at all times
Inscription description
marble 60cm square slab at the feet of the sculpture with three plaques attached; brass plaque with incised black filled letters: Pilot Officer Andrew Charles Mynarski 419 SQ / RCAF / Pilot Officer Mynarski was the mid-upper gunner of a Lancaster Bomber Aircraft detailed to / attack a target at Cambrai, France, on the night of June 12th 1944. / The aircraft was attacked from below by an enemy fighter plane and ultimately came down in flames as a result of the damage sustained to both port engines. / With fire breaking out between the mid upper turret and the rear turret as well as the port / wing the Captain Art de Breyne ordered the crew to evacuate the burning aircraft immediately. / Pilot Officer Mynarski left his turret and proceeded towards the rear escape door as he noticed / the rear gunner, Pat Brophy was trapped and unable to release himself from the rear turret. / Without hesitation, Pilot Officer Mynarski made his way through the flames to try and attempt / to rescue his trapped friend, causing his parachute and flying clothing to ignite into flames. / After hacking away at the turret with an escape axe, Pilot Officer Mynarski knew his efforts / were in vain Brophy indicated to Mynarski to save his own life and parachute to safety. Pilot / Officer Mynarski reluctantly returned through the flames to escape as a last gesture of / goodwill he turned, facing Brophy, stood to attention and saluted his trapped comrade before / jumping out of the aircraft with clothing and parachute ablaze. / Unfortunately Pilot Officer Mynarski perished due to the injuries sustained from the flaming / descent, however Pat Brophy made a miraculous escape from the burning aircraft. / Pat Brophy evaded being take prisoner, after returning to England he testified that Pilot Officer / Mynarski lost his life by a most conspicuous act of heroism which called for valour of / the highest order. / Pilot Officer Mynarski was posthumously awarded the prestigious Victoria Cross on Tuesday / 8th October 1946. / Storyboard complied by Geoff Hill. Aviation Historian; below, on left, a steel plaque with incised black filled letters: THE NORTHERN ECHO / “REMEMBERED THROUGH THE GENEROSITY / OF THE READERS OF THE NORTHERN ECHO” / PILOT OFFICER ANDREW MYNARSKI; below, on right, a metalic plaque with chamfered edges, with incised black filled letters and Heritage Lottery logo. Badly faded: Supported by the National Lottery through the / Heritage Lottery Fund; Slate plaque on front of granite cairn: 1942 (3 badges) 1945 / TO THE HONOUR AND GLORY OF ALL WHO SERVED / WITH 419, 420 AND 428 R.C.A.F. SQUADRONS AT / MIDDLETON-ST-GEORGE DURING WORLD WAR II. / REMEMBERING ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO MADE / THE SUPREME SACRIFICE. THEIR COURAGE / AND DEVOTION TO DUTY IN THE CAUSE OF / FREEDOM BE REMEMBERED ALWAYS; on reverse of cairn: plaque of unknown material with with badly faded white filled lettering: DEDICATED TO / FLT. LT. ROBBIE ROBSON D.F.C. - 428 SQUADRON R.C.A.F. / 1943 - 1944 / Who in 1986 established the The Middleton St. George (R.C.A.F.) Memorial / Association and brought together for the first time in 40 years, many of those Men and Women who served with 428/420/419 Squadrons, during World War II / This plaque symbolises the deep regard in which Robbie is / held by those who owe their “Renewed Friendships” to the formation of / The Middleton St. George (R.C.A.F.) Memorial Association