More Ladies of the A. T. A. in WW2.

[Phil Perry]

According to the Air Transport Auxiliary Museum and Archive, "Women came from all over the world to join ATA." Twenty five nations were represented, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States. The largest contingent from Europe were 17 Poles, including three women who reached Britain after escaping via the Balkans after the defeat of France by Germany.

 

The youngest daughter of the Marshal Józef Piłsudski, Jadwiga, at the age of 17, began flying gliders and obtained a pilot’s licence in 1937. In 1939 she was a student of aircraft engineering at the Warsaw Polytechnic.

 

After the outbreak of the WWII, Jadwiga fled with her family to Britain. She resumed her studies at Newnham College, Cambridge University in 1940. Jadwiga Piłsudska earned her pilot’s license in 1942 and joined ATA with the rank of Second Flying Officer. Jadwiga flew unarmed military aircraft over the skies of wartime Britain along with Anna Leska and Barbara Wojtulanis.

 

In 1944, Jadwiga married Lieutenant Andrzej Jaraczewski, an officer in the Polish Navy. The couple had two children: a son, Krzysztof Józef and daughter, Joanna Maria. After the war, Jadwiga worked as an architect for London City council and ultimately she and her husband opened a furniture design business. The family returned to Warsaw Poland in 1990.

 

Second Flying Officer Jadwiga Piłsudska Jaraczewska passed away on November 16, 2014 at the age of 94. She lies in rest at Powązki Cemetery in Warsaw Poland.

 

Lest We Forget

 

 

[Old Koreelah]

The Greatest Generation.