01/12/2025
Jeff I found the article
Amazing true story of Ciapek's Airedale Terriertude----
“Ciapek" the Airedale Terrier, was the official mascot of Polish 305 Squadron "Ziemia Wielpolska" (bomber squadron of the Royal Air Force, formed in Bramcote, Warwickshire in August of 1940), and together with his crew, flew bombing missions in a Vickers Wellington.
In the words of Captain Edward Kwolek: "... the crew took him on missions over Germany. Ciapek had his own oxygen tank, which was opened at an altitude of about 3000 meters. He had a parachute, with modified straps which attached to a harness of the crew, who was responsible for him in the air. Ciapek became such a part of the Squadron that he only understood Polish. He flew many missions with the Squadron, listed in the flight log as a ‘passenger.’
After every mission, Ciapek received a small bomb carved from wood, the length of two and half inches, which was hung on his collar. He had earned eight bombs by the time of his last mission. "
During his last mission, the aircraft, and Ciapek, disappeared over the North Sea. None of the crew survived. . It seemed Ciapek was killed in action—until months later he reappeared in a nearby town. How he had survived the plunge into the North Sea and the months following remains a mystery. He was identified by his collar, which had the RAF station’s name and small wooden bombs on it—one for each of the missions he had flown on.
Ciapek was reunited with 305 Squadron, and remained with it long after, though he did not fly again.