The Polish Pilots of the Battle of Britain

In September 1939, as Poland fell to Germany and the Soviet Union, tens of thousands of Polish servicemen escaped—first to France, and later to Britain—determined to continue the fight. Many didn’t speak English. Most had to retrain on completely different aircraft. But none of that stopped them.

Despite joining the battle late, in August 1940, the pilots of No. 303 (Polish) Squadron went on to shoot down at least 126 enemy aircraft, making them the highest-scoring squadron in the entire Battle of Britain.

The Most Underrated Pilots of the War

The largest foreign contingent in the Battle of Britain came from Poland. These men had already endured a brutal defeat at home and, for a time, were denied the chance to fight in the air by their French allies. When the Blitzkrieg swept through Western Europe, the Polish Air Force was eager for payback—but the French were hesitant.

Craig Murray, curator at IWM Duxford, explains:

“It had nothing to do with Poland’s fighting ability. The Air Force was exceptionally well-trained, and they only selected the best people. The problem was that they were using obsolete aircraft, and they didn’t really stand much of a chance against modern German fighters like the Bf 109 and Bf 110.”

With the fall of France, thousands of Polish airmen made their way to Britain, calling it “the Island of Last Hope.” But even in Britain, they were met with suspicion. Many British officials assumed that if Poland had been overrun so quickly, their pilots must not be up to the task.

They were about to be proven very wrong.

Joining the RAF

Polish pilots began flying alongside RAF squadrons, but language barriers, unfamiliar aircraft, and different measurement systems all posed serious challenges. Most had to adjust to flying modern British fighters with retractable landing gear and instruments calibrated in miles per hour instead of kilometers.

Still, they adapted fast.

Equipped with Hawker Hurricanes and Supermarine Spitfires, the Polish pilots were finally able to take on the Luftwaffe on equal terms. And once they did, their skill in the air was undeniable.

The Impact of the Poles

In all, 146 Polish pilots served with the RAF during the Battle of Britain, spread across various units, including two Polish-designated squadrons. They were credited with over 200 confirmed kills—a staggering contribution in a battle that defined the course of the war.

But their courage came at a price. Twelve Polish pilots lost their lives during the battle.

Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding, Commander-in-Chief of RAF Fighter Command—who had initially doubted the Poles—later said:

“Had it not been for the magnificent work of the Polish squadrons and their unsurpassed gallantry, I hesitate to say the outcome of the battle would have been the same.”

The Polish Air Force would continue to fly with the RAF until the end of the war, fighting valiantly in every theater.