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{{Short description|Polish flying ace}}
{{Unreferenced|date=June 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
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'''Wacław Król''' (1915-1991) was a [[Poland|Polish]] military pilot and a [[pułkownik|Air Colonel]] of the [[Polish Air Force]]. A veteran of the [[Polish Air Forces in France and Great Britain]] during World War II, he served with distinction alongside the [[Royal Air Force]] and rose to the rank of [[Wing commander (rank)|Wing Commander]]. He also became one of the Polish fighter aces of the war (ranked 15th on [[Bajan's list]]). After the war he became a successful historian and author of numerous books.
{{Infobox military person
⚫
| name = Wacław Król
| honorific_suffix =
| image = Wacław Król.jpg
| rank = [[Colonel]]
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1915|12|25}}
| birth_place = [[Sandomierz]], Poland
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1991|6|15|1915|12|25}}
| death_place = [[Warsaw]], Poland
| allegiance = {{flag|Poland}}<br />{{flag|France}}<br />{{flag|United Kingdom}}
| branch = {{air force|Poland}}<br />{{flag|France}} [[Armée de l'Air]]<br />{{air force|United Kingdom}}
| servicenumber = P1299
| unit = [[No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron]]<br />[[No. 316 Polish Fighter Squadron]]<br />[[Polish Fighting Team]]<br />[[3rd Polish Fighter Wing]]<br />[[No. 131 Wing RAF]]
| serviceyears = 1935–1947
| commands =
| battles = [[Invasion of Poland (1939)|Polish Defensive War]], [[World War II]]
| awards = [[Virtuti Militari]]; [[Cross of Valour (Poland)|Cross of Valour]]; [[Distinguished Flying Cross (UK)]]
⚫
}}


⚫
'''Wacław Król''' (25 December 1915 – 15 June 1991) was a Polish military pilot and an [[pułkownik|air colonel]] of the [[Polish Air Force]]. A veteran of the [[Polish Air Forces in France and Great Britain]] during World War II, he served with distinction alongside the [[Royal Air Force]] and rose to the rank of [[Wing commander (rank)|wing commander]]. He also became one of the Polish fighter aces of the war (ranked 15th on [[Bajan's list]]). After the war he became a successful historian and author of numerous books.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.polishairforce.pl/krolw.html |title=Wacław Król |access-date=6 April 2020}}</ref>
⚫
Wacław Król graduated from the [[Polish Air Force Academy]] of [[Dęblin]] in 1935 and joined the Polish Air Forces. A deputy commander of the [[Polish 121st Fighter Escadrille]], he scored his first aerial victory on the very first day of [[World War II]] (a [[Henschel Hs 126]], shared with Cpl Paweł Kowala). During the Nazi and Soviet [[invasion of Poland]] he downed one additional [[Heinkel He 111]] bomber. After September 17 he escaped with his unit to Romania. Interned there, he managed to escape and reach France, where he re-joined the Polish Air Forces. Temporarily attached to the French [[Groupe de Chasse II/7]], he took part in the [[Battle of France]]. During the German invasion of that country he scored two enemy bombers (Heinkel He 111 and [[Dornier Do 17]]) and a probable kill of another Do 17.


==Life==
⚫
Evacuated to Africa and then to Great Britain, he joined the Polish units stationed there and took part in the [[Battle of Britain]] as member of the [[No. 302 Polish Fighter Squadron]]. During the battle he scored one [[Messerschmitt Bf 109]] over London and one Junkers Ju 88 (shared with two other pilots). For the remainder of the war he served with various other Polish units. First with [[No. 316 Polish Fighter Squadron]] (one Bf 109 and one [[Focke-Wulf Fw 190]]), then with [[No. 315 Polish Fighter Squadron]] and eventually with the [[Polish Fighting Team]], better known as "Skalski's Circus" in North Africa. While there he downed two German Messerschmitts Bf 109 and one Italian [[Macchi MC.202]].
[[Image:Lotnicy.png|thumb|left|Polish pilots in North Africa during World War 2. Wacław Król is the first one on the left in the upper row.]]
⚫
Wacław Król graduated from the [[Polish Air Force Academy]] of [[Dęblin]] in 1935 and joined the Polish Air Forces. A deputy commander of the [[Polish 121st Fighter Escadrille]], he scored his first aerial victory on the very first day of [[World War II]] (a [[Henschel Hs 126]], shared with Corporal Paweł Kowala). During the Nazi and Soviet [[invasion of Poland]], he downed one additional [[Heinkel He 111]] bomber. After September 17 he escaped with his unit to Romania. Interned there, he managed to escape and reach France, where he re-joined the Polish Air Forces. Temporarily attached to the French [[Groupe de Chasse II/7]], he took part in the [[Battle of France]]. During the German invasion of that country he shot down two enemy bombers (Heinkel He 111 and [[Dornier Do 17]]) and a probable kill of another Do 17.


⚫
Evacuated to North Africa and then to Great Britain, he joined the Polish units stationed there and took part in the [[Battle of Britain]] as member of the [[No. 302 Polish Fighter Squadron]]. During the battle, he shot down one [[Messerschmitt Bf 109]] over London and one Junkers Ju 88 (shared with two other pilots). For the remainder of the war he served with various other Polish units. First with [[No. 316 Polish Fighter Squadron]] (one Bf 109 and one [[Focke-Wulf Fw 190]]), then with [[No. 315 Polish Fighter Squadron]] and eventually with the [[Polish Fighting Team]], better known as "[[Stanisław Skalski|Skalski's]] Circus" in North Africa. While there he downed two German Messerschmitts Bf 109 and one Italian [[Macchi C.202]].
⚫
Upon his return to Europe in October 1943 he rejoined the 302 Polish Fighter Sqn as its' commanding officer, eventually rising to the rank of CO of the entire [[3rd Polish Fighter Wing]] (10 March 1945) and the [[No. 1 Polish Wing]] (July 1945). Altogether during the war Wacław Król accomplished 286 missions and downed 8.5 or 9 enemy planes, and scored 3 additional probable kills.


⚫
Upon his return to Europe in October 1943 he rejoined the 302 Polish Fighter Sqn as its commanding officer, eventually rising to the rank of CO of the entire [[3rd Polish Fighter Wing]] (10 March 1945) and the [[No. 1 Polish Wing]] (July 1945). Altogether during the war Wacław Król flew 286 missions, is credited with 8.5 or 9 confirmed shootdowns of enemy planes with 3 additional probable kills.
⚫
After the war he returned to communist-controlled Poland and took a series of menial jobs. After the end of [[Stalinism]] he was allowed to join the Polish Army and eventually rose to the rank of Colonel. Retired, he became a successful author of over 30 books documenting the history of Polish World War II air units.

⚫
After the war he returned to communist-controlled Poland and took a series of menial jobs. After the end of [[Stalinism]] he was allowed to join the Polish Army and eventually rose to the rank of Colonel. Retired, he became a successful author of over 30 books documenting the history of Polish World War II air units.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.polishairforce.pl/krolw.html |title=Wacław Król |access-date=6 April 2020}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* Tadeusz Jerzy Krzystek, Anna Krzystek: ''Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii w latach 1940-1947 łącznie z Pomocniczą Lotniczą Służbą Kobiet (PLSK-WAAF)''. Sandomierz: Stratus, 2012, p. 313. {{ISBN|9788361421597}}
* Jerzy Pawlak: ''Absolwenci Szkoły Orląt: 1925-1939''. Warsaw: Retro-Art, 2009, p. 168. {{ISBN|8387992224}}
* Piotr Sikora: ''Asy polskiego lotnictwa''. Warsaw: Oficyna Wydawnicza Alma-Press. 2014, pp. 242–249. {{ISBN|9788370205607}}
* {{cite book | last=Gretzyngier | first=Robert | last2=Matusiak | first2=Wojtek | last3=Zieliński | first3=Józef | title=Asy lotnictwa polskiego | publisher=Dom Wydawniczy "Bellona" | publication-place=Warsaw| date=2012 | isbn=978-83-11-12394-6 | oclc=828978115 | language=pl}}
* Józef Zieliński: ''Lotnicy polscy w Bitwie o Wielką Brytanię''. Warsaw: Oficyna Wydawnicza MH, 2005, pp. 101–102. {{ISBN|8390662043}}

{{Authority control}}


{{Persondata
⚫
| NAME = Król, Wacław
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =
| DATE OF BIRTH = 1915
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH = 1991
| PLACE OF DEATH =
⚫
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Krol, Waclaw}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Krol, Waclaw}}
[[Category:1915 births]]
[[Category:1915 births]]
[[Category:1991 deaths]]
[[Category:1991 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Sandomierz]]
[[Category:The Few]]
[[Category:The Few]]
[[Category:Polish World War II flying aces]]
[[Category:Polish World War II flying aces]]
[[Category:Silver Crosses of the Virtuti Militari]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Silver Cross of the Virtuti Militari]]
[[Category:Knights of the Order of Polonia Restituta]]
[[Category:Knights of the Order of Polonia Restituta]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Cross of Valour (Poland) four times]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Cross of Valour (Poland)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1939–1945 (France)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1939–1945 (France)]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force officers]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force officers]]
[[Category:Polish Royal Air Force pilots of World War II]]

Latest revision as of 11:42, 8 October 2024

Wacław Król
Born(1915-12-25)25 December 1915
Sandomierz, Poland
Died15 June 1991(1991-06-15) (aged 75)
Warsaw, Poland
Allegiance Poland
 France
 United Kingdom
Service / branch Polish Air Force
 France Armée de l'Air
 Royal Air Force
Years of service1935–1947
RankColonel
Service numberP1299
UnitNo. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron
No. 316 Polish Fighter Squadron
Polish Fighting Team
3rd Polish Fighter Wing
No. 131 Wing RAF
Battles / warsPolish Defensive War, World War II
AwardsVirtuti Militari; Cross of Valour; Distinguished Flying Cross (UK)

Wacław Król (25 December 1915 – 15 June 1991) was a Polish military pilot and an air colonel of the Polish Air Force. A veteran of the Polish Air Forces in France and Great Britain during World War II, he served with distinction alongside the Royal Air Force and rose to the rank of wing commander. He also became one of the Polish fighter aces of the war (ranked 15th on Bajan's list). After the war he became a successful historian and author of numerous books.[1]

Life

[edit]
Polish pilots in North Africa during World War 2. Wacław Król is the first one on the left in the upper row.

Wacław Król graduated from the Polish Air Force Academy of Dęblin in 1935 and joined the Polish Air Forces. A deputy commander of the Polish 121st Fighter Escadrille, he scored his first aerial victory on the very first day of World War II (a Henschel Hs 126, shared with Corporal Paweł Kowala). During the Nazi and Soviet invasion of Poland, he downed one additional Heinkel He 111 bomber. After September 17 he escaped with his unit to Romania. Interned there, he managed to escape and reach France, where he re-joined the Polish Air Forces. Temporarily attached to the French Groupe de Chasse II/7, he took part in the Battle of France. During the German invasion of that country he shot down two enemy bombers (Heinkel He 111 and Dornier Do 17) and a probable kill of another Do 17.

Evacuated to North Africa and then to Great Britain, he joined the Polish units stationed there and took part in the Battle of Britain as member of the No. 302 Polish Fighter Squadron. During the battle, he shot down one Messerschmitt Bf 109 over London and one Junkers Ju 88 (shared with two other pilots). For the remainder of the war he served with various other Polish units. First with No. 316 Polish Fighter Squadron (one Bf 109 and one Focke-Wulf Fw 190), then with No. 315 Polish Fighter Squadron and eventually with the Polish Fighting Team, better known as "Skalski's Circus" in North Africa. While there he downed two German Messerschmitts Bf 109 and one Italian Macchi C.202.

Upon his return to Europe in October 1943 he rejoined the 302 Polish Fighter Sqn as its commanding officer, eventually rising to the rank of CO of the entire 3rd Polish Fighter Wing (10 March 1945) and the No. 1 Polish Wing (July 1945). Altogether during the war Wacław Król flew 286 missions, is credited with 8.5 or 9 confirmed shootdowns of enemy planes with 3 additional probable kills.

After the war he returned to communist-controlled Poland and took a series of menial jobs. After the end of Stalinism he was allowed to join the Polish Army and eventually rose to the rank of Colonel. Retired, he became a successful author of over 30 books documenting the history of Polish World War II air units.[2]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Wacław Król". Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  2. ^ "Wacław Król". Retrieved 6 April 2020.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Tadeusz Jerzy Krzystek, Anna Krzystek: Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii w latach 1940-1947 łącznie z Pomocniczą Lotniczą Służbą Kobiet (PLSK-WAAF). Sandomierz: Stratus, 2012, p. 313. ISBN 9788361421597
  • Jerzy Pawlak: Absolwenci Szkoły Orląt: 1925-1939. Warsaw: Retro-Art, 2009, p. 168. ISBN 8387992224
  • Piotr Sikora: Asy polskiego lotnictwa. Warsaw: Oficyna Wydawnicza Alma-Press. 2014, pp. 242–249. ISBN 9788370205607
  • Gretzyngier, Robert; Matusiak, Wojtek; Zieliński, Józef (2012). Asy lotnictwa polskiego (in Polish). Warsaw: Dom Wydawniczy "Bellona". ISBN 978-83-11-12394-6. OCLC 828978115.
  • Józef Zieliński: Lotnicy polscy w Bitwie o Wielką Brytanię. Warsaw: Oficyna Wydawnicza MH, 2005, pp. 101–102. ISBN 8390662043
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