W/O 1st CLASS REGINALD WALTER STAFFORD
SOUTH AFRICAN AIR FORCE
10/2/1918 - 15/8/1944
31 SQUADRON - AIR GUNNER
KILLED IN ACTION
The "WARSAW CONCERTO"
Also known as the WARSAW AIRLIFT - The Warsaw Uprising (1944) needed the support of the allies to provide food and munitions to the Polish Partisans ( Home Army), resulting in the Polish Government in London, appealing to Winston Churchill for assistance. Churchill ordered relief to be flown to Warsaw from Italy.
Flying these sorties to Warsaw with supplies during the uprising of the Polish resistance, 31 Squadron suffered heavy losses in August 1944. (Also see 34 Squadron)
Iain Williams on his website gives a historical perspective on the conditions and there is also a very comprehensive article on Bygones & Byways.
The bronze "Death Plaque" for R.W. STAFFORD.
206770V W.O.1, R.W. STAFFORD
S.A.A.F.
Copy of the medal-index card FOR STAFFORD bearing the dreaded
KILLED IN ACTION entry.
STAFFORD is now resting in peace in KRAKOW RAKOWICKI CEMETERY in POLAND.
He is also remembered on the WARSAW CONCERTO roll of honour.
