Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
No. 303 Squadron was the most effective Polish RAF squadron during the Second World War. Some sources state that its pilots were invited to the London Victory Parade of 1946 , [ 27 ] [ 28 ] [ 29 ] The Daily Telegraph [ 30 ] reported that it was the only representative of the Polish Armed Forces in the West .
The 303 squadron became the most efficient RAF fighter unit at that time, [9] and RAF commanders protested when government censors refused to allow this fact to appear in the press. By late 1940 the American visitor Ralph Ingersoll reported that the Poles were "the talk of London" because of their victories.
On 10 June, he was one of several pilots shot down by Bf 109s, but escaped unscathed. On 18 June 1940, he travelled to England by boat and on 2 August was posted as one of the founding members of the newly formed No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron. [4] Jan Zumbach (center) with four 303 Squadron comrades beside one of their Hurricane Mark I's
The pilots of No. 303 Squadron RAF, part of the Free Polish Air Force, have escaped from Europe, following the Nazi invasions of Poland and France, to join the Royal Air Force. Czech Josef František, refusing to become a bomber pilot, invites himself into the newly formed unit.
František's 17 aerial victories greatly helped No. 303 Squadron to become the highest-scoring Royal Air Force (RAF) squadron in the Battle of Britain. František was the first non-British pilot to have a bar added to his Distinguished Flying Medal when he posthumously received one on 28 October 1940.
On 2 August 1940, as a flight commander, Kent joined No. 303 Squadron, a newly formed squadron consisting of Polish pilots based at RAF Northolt throughout the Battle of Britain. [ 6 ] Kent's first combat victories came on 9 September 1940 when he shot down a Messerschmitt Bf 110 and a Junkers Ju 88 .
This is a list of military communications ('Signals') units and formations of the Royal Air Force. In the Royal Air Force sense, wings, groups, and commands can be considered formations. A formation is defined by the US Department of Defense as "two or more aircraft, ships, or units proceeding together under a commander". [1] "Formations are ...
Most of the Polish fighter pilots were assigned to the RAF's newly formed No. 303 Squadron, commanded by Squadron Leader Ronald Gustave Kellett, who shared command responsibilities with Krasnodębski. Lt. Witold Paszkiewicz scored the Squadron's first kill; a Bf 110 of 4./ZG 76, during a training flight on 30 August 1940. Fighter Command thus ...