Early Life and Military Service
Jerzy Bajan was born on May 4, 1901, in Lviv. His father was a well-known architect. At the outbreak of World War I, his father was relocated to Horodenka, where he designed military facilities. In 1916, after a cholera epidemic, Jerzy became an orphan. He worked hard to support his two younger brothers.
After Poland gained independence, he moved to Krakow and joined the army. In 1920, he participated as a simple infantryman in the Polish-Soviet War. In 1921, he transitioned to aviation, completing flight school.
From Infantry to Polish Aviation
Jerzy Bajan was initially assigned to the 3rd Aviation Regiment in Poznań, and in 1927, to the 122nd Squadron. He was an excellent aerobatic pilot and, together with Stanisław Macek and Karol Pniak, formed the so-called “Kraków Trio”. They performed many exhibition flights across the country, gaining significant recognition.
He also participated in several international competitions, showcasing his exceptional skills. From June 15, 1939, he headed the Szkole Podchorążych Lotnictwa (Aviation Cadet School) in Deblin.
Heroism and Leadership in Wartime
At the start of the war, he organized several units based at the school, but primarily focused on evacuation matters. On September 2, during an air raid on the airfield, he was wounded by bomb shrapnel. Captain Jan Hryniewicz, risking his life, took off from the damaged airfield and transported Bajan to a capital hospital.
His injury did not prevent the pilot from evacuating with his cadets to Romania, and from there to France and subsequently to the United Kingdom. From April to November 1941, he served as a Polish liaison officer with the Flying Training Command and held several staff positions.
A Life Dedicated to Aviation
Between 1943 and 1944, Bajan performed several combat sorties, reportedly around 30, as part of the 316th Squadron. After his demobilization, he remained in England. In his final years, he suffered from Parkinson’s disease.
Jerzy Bajan passed away on June 27, 1967, at the age of 66, and was buried in London. In his honor, streets are named after him in Warsaw, Krakow, Wrocław, and Gdańsk, recognizing his legacy as an aviator and national hero.