Incredible Men!

Sep 15, 2020,15:33 PM
 

The 303 squadron or “Kosciusko Squadron” was the highest scoring unit in the Battle of Britain, despite joining 2 moths into the fight. This unit was comprised of experienced Polish fighter pilots who for the first time got access to great machinery. They scored 126 kills to 18 planes lost with 7 pilots killed during the battle. This was one of many Polish squadrons in the war. 

My grandma’s older brother was one of them. Because their father was a police chief and a soldier in the 1920 soviet war, the family was exiled to Siberia, while the father was executed in Katyń, when the soviets in support of their Nazi allies invaded Poland. Zbigniew Suppel (my grand uncle) walked out of Siberia with General Anders going through Iran and Palestine where they boarded British troop carriers headed for England. As luck would have it his ship was torpedoed, but he survived to reach England.  Once there he joined the RAF. His career included flying Hurricanes, Spitfires and finishing in Mustangs all while amassing 5 kills and 1 V1 downed. After the war he settled in England, with his homeland being sold out to the soviets by Roosevelt and Churchill. He passed 10 years ago, and is buried with military honors. 
Thanks,
Wojo







This message has been edited by Cpt Scarlet on 2020-09-18 03:37:03

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Battle of Britain Day ...

 
 By: Cpt Scarlet : September 15th, 2020-12:41
We remember the pilots and air crew who bravely fought to protect the free world in the Battle of Britain, eighty years ago. Pilots from many countries came to Britain to continue the fight against Nazi Germany The photo above is of the Polish 303 Squadro...  

Yes, we need to keep remembering them .

 
 By: Cpt Scarlet : September 15th, 2020-13:50
Thanks Kev

It’s a pleasure 🙏 [nt]

 
 By: Cpt Scarlet : September 15th, 2020-15:02

Incredible Men!

 
 By: Wojo : September 15th, 2020-15:33
The 303 squadron or “Kosciusko Squadron” was the highest scoring unit in the Battle of Britain, despite joining 2 moths into the fight. This unit was comprised of experienced Polish fighter pilots who for the first time got access to great machinery. They...  

Wow ... that’s incredible !

 
 By: Cpt Scarlet : September 17th, 2020-00:54
Thank you for posting your story and the photos. The Polish pilots contributed so much and we should remember the sacrifice that they made.

Thanks Ted 🙏 [nt]

 
 By: Cpt Scarlet : September 18th, 2020-03:27

Incredible brave men...

 
 By: George Gently : September 15th, 2020-21:35
That quote of Sir Winston still gives me goose bumps everytime I read it. George

It’s a incredible speech [nt]

 
 By: Cpt Scarlet : September 18th, 2020-03:28

Thanks for reminding me.

 
 By: PoyFR : September 15th, 2020-22:04
It helps a lot to know that there are true real people.

I completely agree with you. [nt]

 
 By: Cpt Scarlet : September 18th, 2020-03:28

A small personal anecdote

 
 By: chippyfly : September 16th, 2020-02:36
Here is a humbling reconciliation of the Battle of Britain conflict on the longest day of that battle, being 18th August 1940 where four German raids sought to destroy all of Biggin Hill, Kenley, North Weald and Hornchurch RAF airfields. The above photo (...  

Hi Clive...

 
 By: Cpt Scarlet : September 16th, 2020-14:26
Thank you for giving us this very personal insight, it must have been wonderful to spend time in the company of Harry. Did he talk much about the war ?

Hi! Yes he did but only about the B of B and the effect on him as a fresh 19 years old pilot.

 
 By: chippyfly : September 17th, 2020-00:54
Harry left the RAF after the war and later rejoined. He gained a commission and qualified as an instructor. As a rooky pilot I learned a lot from him and we shared good flying and the odd scare!

You couldn’t get a better instructor ...

 
 By: Cpt Scarlet : September 17th, 2020-01:00
Are you still flying ?

Keep enjoying your flying 😎...

 
 By: Cpt Scarlet : September 17th, 2020-02:39
But don’t forget to join us for WristScan this weekend !

There's an RAF story in my family, too . . .

 
 By: Dr No : September 16th, 2020-12:31
. . . albeit thru friendship rather than blood relation. Mom's dearest friend was Aunt Elizabeth. Elizabeth married Uncle Bernard a year or two before Mom married Dad. Elizabeth was Irish, Bernard technically American (born in NYC) but his parents were Br...  

Thanks for that Art ...

 
 By: Cpt Scarlet : September 16th, 2020-14:36
Interesting story and a happy photo to go with it.