Stefan Stec

Does anyone have information concerning Stefan Stec? I read that he had three victories flying for Austria during WWI and two more flying for Poland against the Soviets in 1918-21.

[leo]

He flew with Flik 31 J out of the Romanagno Airfield in Summer 1918.
He flew an Albatros (Oeffag) 253.117 with a 200 HP Austro Daimler.
He was prominent in Polish aviation after WWI.

Thanks Leo. I know this isn't the right place, but any idea on what decorations he was awarded?

[GrzeM]

Stefan Stec was really very well known Polish pilot, especially because he designed his personal marking of white and red checkerboard, which in 1919 became official Polish national marking.
He was member of Flik 3 (not 31) since January 1916, firstly as observer. In February 1918 completed training as a pilot and soon came back to Flik 3, changed in meantime into fighter unit and renamed Flik 3/J. He was flying in Flik3/J till the end of the war, with short break 17 June-4 July when he was commanding Flik 9/J substituting temporarily absent original commander of that unit.
Decorated in AH service with Order of the Iron Crown 3rd class, two Silver Bravery Medals, Military Merit Medal 2nd class and Prussian Iron Cross 2nd class.
3 kills in WWI scored, one as observer.
He was 100% Polish, during war member of secret Polish Military Organization, after the war organized Polish military aviation, was flying in Polish-Bolshevik war 1919-20.
I can write more about him, just ask.
Greetings
G.

Leo,

I don't believe Stec flew with Flik 31j, but rather with Flik 3j under Friedrich Navratil. There are some good photos of Flik 3j aircraft including Stec's. Also, the section on Hans Peter might provide more photographically. The Cross & Cockade International had some photos of him in Vol. 20 or 21 postwar and also the Fokker E.V he flew.

Av

[leo]

Right you are, gentlemen. Stec flew with FLIK 3j, not 31j as I posted. Sorry!