| Winnipeg, Manitoba
This memorial was constructed in June 12, 1994 in memory of Pilot Officer A. Mynarski, V.C. exactly 50 years after his heroic death.
The memorial was initiated by the members of the R.C.L. Branch #134, A. Mynarski, V.C. and members of Polish Combatants Association Branch #13, Winnipeg. The site (8 hectares) for the park and rough granite stone were donated by the City of Winnipeg, Parks and Recreation Dept., which also provides maintenance to the grounds and the monument. On the monument besides the bronze bust of Andrew Mynarski, V.C. is the plaque with the citation pertaining to his decoration of the Victoria Cross, for his heroic action. Dedication of the Park and the monument in memory of A. Mynarsski, V.C. was sponsored by R.C.L., Branch #34 A. Mynarski, V.C. and the Polish Combatants Association Branch #13, Winnipeg.
The following was taken from a newspaper clipping dated Nov. 11, 1955.:
Text of the citation accompanying the award of the Victoria Cross to Pilot Officer A.C. Mynarski, read by Art deBreyne, pilot of the ill-fated plane, at the official opening of the Andrew Mynarski School:
"Pilot Officer Mynarski was the mid-upper gunner of a Lancaster aircraft detailed to attack a target at Cambral in France, on the night of June 12, 1944. The aircraft, was attacked from below and astern by an enemy fighter, and ultimately came down in flames.
As an immediate result of the attack, both port engines failed. Fire broke out between the mid-upper turret and the rear turret, as well as in the port wing. The flames soon became fierce and the captain ordered the crew to abandon the aircraft.
"Pilot Officer Mynarski left his turret and went towards the escape hatch. He then saw that the rear gunner was still in his turret and apparently unable to leave it. The turret was in fact immovable, since the hydraulic gear had been put out of action when the port engines failed, and the manual gear was broken by the gunner in his attempts to escape.
"Without hesitation Pilot Officer Mynarski made his way through the flames in an endeavour to reach the rear turret and release the gunner. Whilst so doing his parachute and his clothing, up to his waist, were set on fire. All his efforts to move the turret and free the gunner were in vain. Eventually the rear gunner clearly indicated to him there was nothing more he could do, and that he should try to save his own life. Pilot Officer Mynarski reluctantly went back through the flames to the escape hatch. There, as a last gesture to the trapped gunner, he turned toward him, stood to attention in his flaming clothing and saluted, before he jumped out of the aircraft.
"Pilot Officer Mynarski's descent was seen by French people on the ground. Both his parachute and clothing were on fire. He was found eventually by the French, but was so severely burned that he died from his injuries.
"The rear gunner had a miraculous escape when the aircraft crashed. He subsequently testified that, had Pilot Officer Mynarski not attempted to save his comrade's life, he could have left the aircraft in safety and doubtless have escaped death.
"Pilot Officer Mynarski must have been fully aware that in trying to free the rear gunner, he was almost certain to lose his own life. Despite this, with outstanding courage and complete disregard for his own safety, he went to the rescue. Willingly accepting the danger Pilot Officer Mynarski lost his life by a most conspicuous act of heroism which called for valour of the highest order."
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