Division 303

Machine gun burst

RAF identification 'photo of Sergeant Josef Frantisek, a Czechoslovak national serving in 303 (Polish) Squadron ("Division" in Polish), Royal Air Force.  Frantisek's credited total of 17 "kills" made him the RAF's top "scorer" in the Battle of Britain.

Fighter Command was, initially, unwilling to commit eastern European volunteers to combat in the Battle of Britian for a number of reasons, including language difficulties and doubts as to the skills of the fliers concerned.  However, this changed owing to heavy pilot losses early in the Battle; shortage of pilots was the Achilles Heel of Fighter Command at this time, rather than shortage of equipment.  Consequently, Polish and other east European pilots were drafted into combat in Fighter Command squadrons, and two "all Polish" squadrons - numbers 302 and 303 Squadrons - were raised under British commanders.

The results, to Fighter Command, must have been surprising.  Polish Air Force pilots were well trained, and most of those in Britain had experienced combat in the Luftwaffe under very difficult conditions.  Given a competitive fighter - the Hawker Hurricane - the Polish squadrons performed very well, 303 Squadron in particular.  Its total of 126 credited "kills" made it the leading performer among RAF squadrons in the Battle.  Polish squadrons continued to serve Fighter Command with distinction in several theatres to the end of the war.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding, who commanded Fighter Command in the Battle of Britain, was to write:

"Had it not been for the magnificent material contributed by the Polish squadrons and their unsurpassed gallantry, I hesitate to say that the outcome of the Battle would have been the same."

By the way - that "curate's egg" of a movie from the 1970s, "Battle of Britain" pays a deserved (not to mention amusing) tribute to the Polish squadrons, one of the film's better features.

With great respect, JR.