In light of the magnificent PAF fighter pilot Battle of Britain grouping that was just sold at auction recently, I thought that I'd post this grouping that illustrates the gallantry of the Polish airmen who flew in bombers during the same period...
"For your freedom and ours..."
F/SGT B. Kowalski was born in Poland on August 9, 1918. He had already completed 200 hours flying with the Polish Air Force before he went to England in early 1940. He was posted to the 301st Pomeranian Squadron in mid-September and flew on their very first operational mission on the night of 14/15 when 3 Battles bombed barges and shipping in the Boulogne Harbor.
By mid-September 1941, he completed his first operation tour of 30 missions and was posted to OTU 18 for further training. During this time, he participated in all three 1000 plane raids on Cologne, Essen, and finally Bremen. Afterwards, he was returned to his squadron and remained with the squadron until it was disbanded. He was then transferred to the 305th Ziema Wielkopolska Squadron.
F/SGT Kowalski was awarded the VM in July of 1941 and the British DFM in 1942. His VM medal itself is very interesting...it is numbered and came from the original inventory of VM medals that was brought to England by the Polish government when they evacuated from Poland. His DFM medal is officially named on the rim as was done for DFM recipients. He was one of only 66 Poles to receive the DFM making it quite rare.
There's some great items in this group that include his RAF logbook which covers missions through May 1943, his flyers ID book, a wonderful VM document and the original transmittal tube, his medals, a photo of Gen. Sikorski pinning what I assume is his VM medal on him in the awards ceremony, a photo of what I assume is the award ceremony of the DFM, another image of him in an operational meeting, several congratulatory letters on the award of the DFM, etc, etc.
In all...it’s an exceptional and excellent grouping...one that truly illustrates the Poles contributions to WWII.
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