Ciapek was adopted by Polish 305 bomber squadron as their official pet mascot during WWII. As former RAF officer C. H. Ward-Jackson wrote in "No Bombs at All" (as related in "Destiny Can Wait"), 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.'
Tragically, on one of Ciapek's missions, the plane never returned and was presumed lost at sea. 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 stayed with 305 Squadron for a long time, but apparently on the day the squadron was transferred from Bomber Command to 2nd Tactical Air Force (in the autumn of 1943), he suddenly disappeared and was never found--he was listed as "Missing."
He was just one of many furry or feathered companions adopted by fighting units during WWII. These animal friends were popular with the troops and served an important function in helping to maintain morale, because they reminded soldiers of life beyond the battlefield.
Tragically, on one of Ciapek's missions, the plane never returned and was presumed lost at sea. 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 stayed with 305 Squadron for a long time, but apparently on the day the squadron was transferred from Bomber Command to 2nd Tactical Air Force (in the autumn of 1943), he suddenly disappeared and was never found--he was listed as "Missing."
He was just one of many furry or feathered companions adopted by fighting units during WWII. These animal friends were popular with the troops and served an important function in helping to maintain morale, because they reminded soldiers of life beyond the battlefield.
