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Σάββατο 23 Ιουλίου 2016

The Polish Pilots Who Flew In The Battle Of Britain!


The Polish Pilots Who Flew In The Battle Of Britain!


By Mariusz Gasior
The road to BritainOn 1 September 1939 the German Army, supported by the Air Force (Luftwaffe) and Navy (Kriegsmarine) invaded Poland from three sides. Polish defences, already strained under a powerful and innovative German assault, collapsed shortly after the Soviets launched their own invasion from the east on 17 September. Polish forces fought with distinction, but Poland was crushed by the two invaders in five weeks.

After their defeat, tens of thousands of Polish servicemen made their way to France to continue the struggle against a common enemy. The Polish Air Force (PAF) was recreated and established on French soil following a number of agreements between the French government and the Polish government-in-exile. Despite suffering a crushing defeat, Polish airmen maintained excellent morale and relished the opportunity to fight the Germans again.