Recovered Spitfire reunited with its pilot

PublishedJanuary 10, 2026

Supermarine Spitfire IX
RAF Serial: BS410
315 Squadron
Pilot: Piotr Kuryllowicz (survived)
Date: 13th May 1943
Place: Occoches, France

Piotr Kuryllowicz, the Polish pilot of a Spitfire recovered by Pierre Ben from Occoches, near Doulens in France, travelled from Canada to visit the crash site and see some of the wreckage from his aircraft.

**Pierre Ben and his team from Somme Aircraft Recovery Group, with Piotr Kuryllowicz**

Kuryllowicz was flying Spitfire BS410 with 315 Squadron when he was shot down on the 13th of May 1943. The Spitfire had dived into the ground and was buried. The remains of the cockpit, a smashed Merlin and a panel from the rear fuselage carrying the aircraft’s serial number were amongst the wreckage recovered.