Abstract from the obituary in The Toronto Star:
ROKITNICKI, Aleksander 'Rocky' - February 26, 1919 - December 10, 2009 . Brave to the end, Alek was a proud war veteran of WWII. He served as a Flt/Sergeant in the 303 Polish 'Kosciuszko' Fighter Squadron. Alek was decorated with the Virtuti Militari for bravery during the war. In the 1960's, Alek, being an accomplished pilot, joined the Royal Canadian Air Cadets as a flight instructor. For over three decades he shared his passion for flying with the cadets. He also helped pioneer the gliding program within the Air Cadet movement. He inspired many young men and women to pursue careers in the RCAF, commercial flying and even beyond. He retired from the Air Cadets as Major A. Rokitnicki CD.
Description of combat involving AR "Whilst Yellow Section had been concentrating on M2-BK White section had engaged Hptm Bergemann’s M2-KK. White 1 (Kołecki) attacked with a series of short bursts from the rear-above. White 2 (Rokitnicki) attacked from the rear-right-above firing from a distance of 300 yards down to 50 yards using as series of short bursts. Once M2-BK had crashed Yellow 2 also joined in the pursuit of M2-KK whose plight was hopeless . . .Bergemann with his starboard engine on fire managed to crash land his stricken aeroplane in a field at Odlings Farm between Aswardby and Harrington. As the Spitfires circled around like vultures the four crew members were all seen to get out of the wreck and run away. Within minutes the aeroplane ignited with a brilliant white phosphorous explosion as the crew purposely destroyed the remnants of the aeroplane. It was significantly the 178th enemy aircraft attributed to 303 Squadron. The four Spitfires were all recovered safely back at Kirton in Lindsey between 20:45 and 20:55 . . . The four Polish pilots were each awarded with ½ a kill each. "
