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afterwards of severe burns. He was buried in a local cemetery. Brophy remained trapped in the bomber when it crashed in a farm field. As the bomber disintegrated, and began breaking apart, Brophy survived the crash and the subsequent detonation of the bomb load. Still lodged in his turret, the crash broke the turret open with him pitched out, striking a tree and being temporarily knocked out.
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242:, on 14 October 1916, the son of Polish immigrants. Known as Andy to his close friends, he had five other siblings, two brothers and three sisters. Mynarski was educated at King Edward and Isaac Newton Elementary Schools, later graduating from St. John's Technical School. To help support his family after his father's death, at the age of 16, he worked as a chamois cutter.
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Mynarski's descent was rapid due to the burnt parachute and shroud lines, resulting in a heavy impact on landing. He landed alive though severely burned, with his clothes still on fire. French farmers who spotted the flaming bomber found him and took him to a German field hospital but he died shortly
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A larger-than-life bronze statue of Pilot
Officer Mynarski, sculpted by Keith Maddison, was dedicated in 2005 outside the former Officers' Mess, now the St George Hotel, at RAF Middleton St. George, the bomber base in England where he served. The memorial depicts Mynarski at the rear of the stricken
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In late 1945, de Breyne started the process of gaining recognition for
Mynarski's extraordinary deed by recommending an award and enquiring about the location of his grave. Although facing some initial resistance, the recommendation worked its way up the command structure of the RCAF and RAF. On 11
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enemy night fighter. Raked by cannon fire with major strikes on the port engines and centre fuselage, a hydraulic fire engulfed the bomber. Losing both port engines, de Breyne ordered the crew to bail out. As
Mynarski approached the rear escape door, he saw through the inferno in the rear, that tail
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Fundraising and communication efforts continued until 2010, when a
Winnipeg business owner and philanthropist, Brian Frank Klaponski became involved. After learning that his uncle had grown up with Andrew Mynarski and had been Mynarski's best friend at Isaac Newton School in Winnipeg's North End in
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After learning that the original mould used to cast the statue at St. George was feasibly unavailable to use for a new statue in
Winnipeg, the Committee decided to consider alternatives around 2008–2009. In December 2009, Mr. Charles Johnston, a Winnipeg sculptor/artist was selected to create a new
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squadron all bear his name. A chain of three lakes in
Manitoba has been named after him by the Geographical Placenames of Canada and at CFB Penhold, one of the locations in which he trained, the married quarters area is known as Mynarski Park. Mynarski was also honoured in 1973 when he was inducted
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troops. Brophy joined French
Resistance fighters and, after joining a resistance unit to continue the fight on the ground behind enemy lines, returned to London in September 1944, where he learned of Mynarski's death. It was not until 1945 when Brophy was reunited with the rest of the crew that the
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Jack Friday, tried to release the escape hatch cover in the aircraft's nose, the rushing wind ripped it from his hands. The hatch cover caught him above his left eye and knocked him out. He fell into the open hatch and jammed it closed until Flight engineer Roy Vigars reached him to quickly clip on
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In
January 2006, a group of local Winnipeggers prominent in business, government, heritage, military and community organizations embarked on a fund-raising project to cast and erect in Winnipeg, a new statue in a campaign known as "Bring Andrew home". The Mynarski Statue Project operated under the
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Four of the crew members: Brophy, navigator Robert Bodie, radio operator James Kelly and pilot de Breyne were hidden by the French and, except for Brophy, returned to
England shortly after the crash. Vigars remained with the unconscious Friday and both were captured by the Germans, being interned
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The artist presented several concepts to the
Committee as sketches and maquettes, with the final statue design chosen in 2013. Johnston created a full-size clay model and arranged to have it cast in bronze in early 2014. He brought it home to Winnipeg from the U.S. foundry that summer. It was
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Without hesitation, Mynarski made his way through the flames to Brophy's assistance. All his efforts were in vain, initially using a fire axe to try to pry open the doors before finally resorting to beating at the turret with his hands. With Mynarski's flight suit and
536:. This memorial site is a collection of nine busts and five statues and a large bronze wall inscription that commemorates 14 individuals celebrated for their personal contributions, but also representing critical moments in Canada's military history.
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on fire, Brophy eventually waved him away. Mynarski crawled back through the hydraulic fire, returned to the rear door where he paused and saluted. He then reputedly said "Good night, sir," his familiar nightly sign-off to his friend, and jumped.
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just prior to going overseas in January 1942. After a series of transfers through operational training units, as a warrant officer (second class), he joined Flying Officer Art de Breyne's crew as the mid-upper gunner in
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aircraft, his right arm raised in a salute. Andrew Mynarski is also remembered at the St George Hotel by the "Mynarski Bar", a bar dedicated to him where images of him and a replica VC are on display.
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when he died attempting to help rescue a trapped crew member. His Victoria Cross, which was awarded in 1946, was the last Victoria Cross received by any Canadian serviceman in the Second World War.
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563:. The Mynarski Statue Project Committee coordinated fundraising and community support and received important media coverage through journalist Mr. Gordon Sinclair Jr. of the Winnipeg Free Press.
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in northern France. They reached their target at midnight, Tuesday 13 June. After encountering flak over the coastline and briefly being "coned" by searchlights, the Lancaster was attacked by a
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also displays the original fire axe that Mynarski used to try to free the jammed Lancaster turret; the axe was recovered from the Lancaster bomber at the crash site in northern France.
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Andrew Mynarski VC School in Winnipeg, the Mynarski municipal ward of Winnipeg, a park in Alberta, the Royal Canadian Legion "Andrew Mynarski" Branch 34, and 573 "Andrew Mynarski"
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529:, one of only two airworthy Lancasters in the world, is known as the Mynarski Memorial Lancaster in honour of Mynarski, and is painted in the markings of his aircraft.
258:(RCAF). In September 1941, he was posted to No. 3 Manning Depot in Edmonton. After basic training, he went to No. 2 Wireless School in Calgary but had trouble learning
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Except for Brophy, all crew members of the Lancaster managed to escape the burning bomber. Five left through the front escape hatch on the floor of the cockpit. When
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Winnipeg's Andrew Mynarski VC Memorial Statue will be dedicated in Winnipeg's Vimy Ridge Memorial Park during a public ceremony at 1:00 p.m. on 12 June 2015.
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A local Polish organization from the community area near where Mynarski grew up has erected a memorial plaque in Winnipeg's Kildonan Park to honour Mynarski.
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The film was included in the list of "Canada's Top Ten" short films of 2014, selected by a panel of filmmakers and industry professionals organized by TIFF.
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607:(2011) documentary, shot in Canada using the Mynarski Memorial Lancaster as well as an Avro Lancaster bomber and artifacts at the Bomber Command Museum in
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Friday's parachute and toss him out the hatch while pulling the unconscious crewman's rip cord. Only Mynarski managed to leave via the rear escape door.
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gunner Pilot Officer Pat Brophy was trapped in his turret. The tail turret had been jammed part way through its rotation to the escape position.
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Mynarski's story has been dramatised in the Canadian Historica Foundation's series of Heritage Minutes. Mynarski was also profiled in the 2006
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the 1930s, Klaponski offered a significant donation for the project. That donation catalyzed the final statue design and approval process.
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details of his final moments on the aircraft were revealed. He related the story of the valiant efforts made by Mynarski to save him.
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in 1989 and is on display in the entrance foyer at the Mynarski Memorial Room of the Headquarters, 1 Canadian Air Division, in
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which included archive footage and dramatisations of his Victoria Cross-winning action. His story was recently recounted in
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Artist Charlie Johnston with the Andrew Mynarski VC Winnipeg Statue 2014 with Bill Zuk, statue committee chair in background
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was posthumously awarded for "valour of the highest order" to Andrew Charles Mynarski, by then also awarded the rank of
980:"TIFF Tips Its Toque to the Best in Canadian Filmmaking: Cronenberg, Dolan, and Gunnarson Among Directors Recognized."
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including the parents' committee of 573 Andrew Mynarski VC Royal Canadian Air Cadets Squadron, with support from the
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The "Valiants" Bust of Andrew Mynarski unveiled at the Cenotaph War Memorial on 11 November 2006 in Ottawa, Ontario.
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https://archive.warplane.com/omeka/s/archive/item/19684#?c=&m=&s=&cv=&xywh=-636%2C-48%2C1849%2C944
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Company in Malton, Ontario. In early June, de Bryne's crew received Canadian-built Avro Lancaster Mk X bomber, #
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attacks on 12 June 1944, Mynarski was aboard KB726, taking part in the crew's 12th operation, a raid on
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bombers. After a short introduction to this four-engine heavy bomber, 419 Squadron began to receive the
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unveiled to the public during a reception held 14 November 2014 at Winnipeg's Frame Arts Warehouse.
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Mynarski's bust has joined the other "Valiants" when the Valiants Memorial was unveiled in
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965:"Sundance Film Institute announces short film program for 2015 Sundance Film Festival."
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Mynarski's Lanc: The Story of Two Famous Canadian Lancaster Bombers K726 & FM213
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499:(where a number of other family artifacts are on display). No. 419 Squadron in
1032:. Cold Lake, Alberta: 419 Tactical Fighter (Training) Squadron, 1977. No ISBN.
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Canadian Government website biography and citation: MYNARSKI, Andrew C.
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at the final moments in Mynarski's life. The film played at the
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Canadian Battle of Normandy recipients of the Victoria Cross
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The Moose Squadron: 1941–1945, The War Years of 419 Squadron
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bomber in 1944, including examples built in Canada by the
262:. He was then posted to No. 3 Bomb and Gunnery School at
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Mynarski's grave at Meharicourt Communal Cemetery near
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Canadian World War II recipients of the Victoria Cross
1038:. Burnaby, British Columbia: Crosstown Printers, 1945.
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Mynarski's Victoria Cross was loaned by his family to
869:"Andrew Mynarski Statue, RAF Middleton St. George."
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371:plot in the Méharicourt Communal Cemetery, near
285:The squadron first flew combat operations using
214:forces. Mynarski was 27 years old and flew with
202:(14 October 1916 – 13 June 1944) was a Canadian
1058:Victoria Cross Battles of the Second World War.
985:, 1 December 2014. Retrieved: 21 December 2014.
970:, 9 December 2014. Retrieved: 24 December 2014.
269:Mynarski was promoted to temporary sergeant in
1016:The Royal Canadian Air Force at War, 1939–1945
832:"Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum Lancaster."
16:Canadian Victoria Cross recipient (1916–1944)
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1045:. Erin, Ontario: Boston Mills Press, 1989,
794:(Supplement). 8 October 1946. p. 5035.
953:Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)
943:"Mynarski Death Plummet (programme note)."
557:Air Cadet League of Canada (Manitoba) Inc.
543:Andrew Mynarski Memorial Statue – RAF MStG
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1165:Canadian military personnel from Manitoba
1003:. London: Caxton Publishing Group, 2002.
471:Learn how and when to remove this message
630:2014 Toronto International Film Festival
367:Mynarski lies buried in Grave 20 of the
1160:Canadian Army personnel of World War II
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305:, coded "VR-A" (call sign A for Able).
874:7 June 2013. Retrieved: 6 August 2013.
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1090:Andrew Mynarski on Historica Minutes
561:Canadian Aviation Historical Society
453:adding citations to reliable sources
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1120:Aviators killed by being shot down
807:CBC News. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
369:Commonwealth War Graves Commission
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1150:Royal Canadian Air Force officers
1130:Canadian people of Polish descent
817:"Andrew Charles 'Andy' Mynarski."
723:Bomb Aimer Jack Friday's Logbook
523:Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
289:bombers before converting to the
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1036:"Moosemen": 419 Squadron History
487:Mynarski Memorial Avro Lancaster
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918:2011. Retrieved: 6 August 2011.
440:needs additional citations for
1155:Royal Winnipeg Rifles soldiers
1018:. Toronto: Canav Books, 1990.
906:"As Close as Brothers (2011)."
710:Record for Lancaster KB726 on
513:Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame
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282:, Darlington, County Durham.
250:In 1940, Mynarski joined the
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634:2015 Sundance Film Festival
421:Remembering Andrew Mynarski
312:Mynarski Memorial Lancaster
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1060:London: Pan Books, 1973.
933:Retrieved: 6 August 2011.
911:28 September 2011 at the
896:Retrieved: 6 August 2011.
889:28 September 2006 at the
859:Retrieved: 6 August 2011.
837:Retrieved: 6 August 2011.
822:Retrieved: 6 August 2011.
754:Page 1989, pp. 56, 63–64.
632:and was selected for the
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948:24 December 2014 at the
928:"Bomber Command Museum".
847:"The Valiants Memorial."
805:"Mynarski Ward Profile".
280:RAF Middleton St. George
276:No. 419 "Moose" Squadron
256:Royal Canadian Air Force
220:Royal Canadian Air Force
216:No. 419 "Moose" Squadron
125:Royal Canadian Air Force
1095:Mynarski Statue Project
1085:Andrew Charles Mynarski
1001:For Valour: The Air VCs
968:Sundance Film Institute
931:bombercommandmuseum.ca.
727:Retrieved: 19 July 2022
206:and a recipient of the
196:Andrew Charles Mynarski
1056:Phillips, E.E. Lucas.
775:Milberry 1990, p. 286.
677:Phillips 1973, p. 270.
617:Mynarski Death Plummet
614:The eight-minute film
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763:Page 1989, pp. 57–58.
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700:Bowyer 2002, p. 497.
620:(2014), directed by
605:As Close as Brothers
519:Avro Lancaster FM213
449:improve this article
321:In the aftermath of
317:Mynarski's last "op"
291:Handley Page Halifax
626:expressionistically
359:until liberated by
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884:"Andrew Mynarski."
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1014:Milberry, Larry.
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745:Page 1989, p. 57.
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212:Commonwealth
195:
194:
160:Battles/wars
84:(1944-06-13)
82:13 June 1944
18:
1115:1944 deaths
1110:1916 births
786:"No. 37754"
493:Air Command
278:, based at
230:Early years
222:during the
47:Nickname(s)
1104:Categories
660:References
375:, France.
348:bomb aimer
260:Morse Code
106:Allegiance
61:1916-10-14
665:Citations
596:docudrama
508:Air Cadet
461:July 2017
340:parachute
135:1940–1944
127:(1941–44)
122:(1940–41)
37:Mynarski
946:Archived
909:Archived
887:Archived
850:Archived
624:, looks
567:statue.
497:Winnipeg
386:, France
361:American
240:Manitoba
236:Winnipeg
114:Service/
91:, France
74:, Canada
72:Manitoba
68:Winnipeg
916:Mts.ca,
521:of the
327:Cambrai
271:Halifax
171: (
89:Cambrai
1064:
1049:
1022:
1007:
391:Legacy
384:Amiens
373:Amiens
204:airman
184:Awards
116:branch
109:Canada
96:Buried
640:Notes
511:into
323:D-Day
303:KB726
1062:ISBN
1047:ISBN
1020:ISBN
1005:ISBN
983:TIFF
150:Unit
140:Rank
79:Died
55:Born
50:Andy
41:1943
525:in
515:.
451:by
174:DOW
1106::
788:.
768:^
682:^
636:.
611:.
409:.
238:,
218:,
200:VC
198:,
70:,
39:c.
1068:.
1053:.
1026:.
1011:.
474:)
468:(
463:)
459:(
445:.
177:)
63:)
59:(
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