Why Were Polish Pilots So Successful In The Battle Of Britain? | 303 Kościuszko Squadron

When it comes to the Battle of Britain, it was actually a group of Polish pilots (and a Czech) who became the top-scoring RAF pilots in 1940. This is amazing seeing that no one thought they could face the enemy again after Poland's defeat in 1939. But was it really that surprising?

This is the amazing story of the men who fled Poland and made it to France and Britain to continue the fight against the Wehrmacht. It's actually not that surprising they did so well after all.

Corrections:

I got the name of the Polish company wrong, should be PZL P. 11, not PLZ P.11.

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⏱️ Timestamp:
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[sheilaclarke]

Thank you for your wonderful programme. My father was a Polish pilot. Before the outbreak of ww2, he told me of the bombing of their aerodrome in August 1939. Whilst cleaning their planes after a training flight, one lad looked up at the sky and said, Look, silver rain! Bombs! Ruuun! From a safe distance we watched our planes and airfield destroyed, said my Dad, Stanislaw Drozda.
Best wishes, Cecilia Drozda-Porter

[cgo]

My father fought with the 2nd Polish Corps at Montecassino where he was wounded, and my driving instructor was a Polish fighter pilot who fought in the Battle of Britain.... I could fill a book with their stories, and about these characters. I am incredibly fortunate to have grown up with these unforgettable men - we will never see their like again.

[mieteksnopowiazaka]

- How many soldiers does the enemy have?
- will count them when I beat them - Jan Karol Chodkiewicz, Kircholm 1605

[edwardmorriale]

Growing up, our local mechanic was "Charlie". He was one of the nicest guys you'd ever meet. He started teaching me a little here and there. His attention to detail, and compulsive drive for perfection could get annoying. There was no such thing as "good enough". It was done right. Period.
Turns out, he was an engine mechanic, from Poland. He'd made his way to France, then England, and survived the war. Instead of remaining in Europe, he came to the States.
He passed, quietly in his sleep, in the mid '70's.
I can't emphasize how much of an influence he was, in my youth. I became a Master Technician, and made it a 40 year career. I have mentored many young mechanics during those years. In my small way, his legacy lives on.

[Chris.M]

Go Poland, go! With love from Greece.

[Ayy-yuzf]

I've spent a couple of years living in England. One of the most wholesome experiences I've had with English people was in a random pub in Blackpool, an old man approached me realizing I was Polish, and told me just this: "you are welcome here, you fought for this country".

[chekaphski]

Finally, a lot of positive historical information about Poles and their contribution to the British war effort. My father, a bomber pilot navigator sadly passed away before all this was common knowledge. He was particularly bitter that the Poles were not represented at the armed forces victory parade in London.

[jimreilly]

As an American who is a fanatic for history, my respect for Poland and her people is immense. Pulaskis role in the American revolution. The Winged Hussars at Vienna in the largest cavalry charge in Western Europe. American pilots who volunteered to fly for Poland in the Soviet invasion of Poland in the 1920s as the Kosciusko Squadron. The 303 Sq you speak of.
My grandparents were from tiny impoverished Ireland in the early 20th century. That probably influence my respect of Poland too. And modern Poland holding the line on sovereignty in Europe and assisting Ukraine. 🇺🇸🦅🇵🇱

[petrichor]

As a boy our Polish neighbour and hardware shop owner flew hurricanes, his name was Piatowski and he was a gent. Bless him.

[izabelasiczek]

My gran dad was still crying in 2002 when he told me of the moment when he wasn't invited to the victory march. It was awful he couldn't go back cause he b killed by Russians he stayed Britis were easier to him but he found love settled in Inverness. He learn to love Scotland Britain learn to love him. He died of a great age of 92. Was married for over 50 years. We still miss his stories

[DaeVids]

As a Pole reading comments below, I’d like to genuinely thank all of Yous who left those heartwarming words about my nation. Thank You so much for maintenance of the real history including those who have been forgotten or bleached. Thanks and God Bless Yous!
Dziękuję, niech Bóg Wam błogosławi!

[gooseberrydell]

Pols are classy, God-fearing people that have a vibrant culture. Pols truly understand the importance of a strong family. ..I was blessed to grow up in a community in Western Massachusetts where there was a large Polish population. ..They are a blessing.

[mikolajgrotowski]

What is even more interesting, Poles trained many American pilots just before and right after the US entered the war. Among others, American ace with Polish roots Francis Stanley "Gabby" Gabreski spent a lot of time in the Polish 315 Squadron. He later mentioned many times that this experience allowed him to achieve the status of the most effective American fighter pilot on the European front.

[benzr]

Do you know that Poland as the only country in the world had been requested to pay for polish troops stationed in the UK and for their training and equipment? That has never happened before or after that. Britain did that because Poland has deposited a significant amount of gold in UK vaults before WW2. In order to steal that UK came up with the idea to charge Poland for protecting the UK. Poles were later on sold out to the Soviets and prohibited from participating in the parade of victorious countries after the war. That's what Poles got from the UK for defending them and for fighting Germany. Poland would have been more appreciated if they chose to fight alongside the Germans.

[geecee]

Janusz Żurakowski was a Polish veteran of these campaigns and would eventually move to Canada in the early 1950s. There, he became the first in the country to break the sound barrier in a Canadian CF-100. Most famously, he was entrusted by the Canadian government to pilot the maiden flight of the Avro Arrow, the most advanced, and arguably the fastest bomber interceptor in the world at that time. The Arrow remains a point of pride for Canada, and Żurakowski will always be closely associated with this achievement 🇨🇦 🇵🇱

[redtomcat]

I have admired the polish people since I was 15 and first read of them. I am an American of Italian decent. I am 75 now and nothing the Pols have done in this time has changed my mind!!!

[Fabian-dnhs]

What's more incredible is how their planes even flew with the weight of their enormous balls on the board.

[sandramadaris]

Nothing but respect for Poland and its people. They have surely endured!

[sayit]

I'm Polish living in Australia. Have to adult kids born here. But I always say to them : You are lucky 50% of your blood is Polish.

[barneyrubble]

lets not also forget that the Poles made big inroads in cracking the Enigma and sent all their findings to Bletchley Park as well as some personnel.