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|identification_symbol=
|identification_symbol=
|identification_symbol_label= Squadron Badge heraldry
|identification_symbol_label= Squadron Badge heraldry
|identification_symbol_2= '''ZF''' (Sep 1940 - Dec 1946)
|identification_symbol_2= '''ZF''' (September 1940 – December 1946)
|identification_symbol_2_label= Squadron Codes
|identification_symbol_2_label= Squadron Codes
}}
}}
''' No. 308 "City of Kraków" Polish Fighter Squadron RAF''' ({{lang-pl|'''308 Dywizjon Myśliwski "Krakowski"'''}}) was one of [[Polish Air Forces in France and Great Britain|several Polish squadrons]] in the [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF) during the [[World War II|Second World War]]. It was formed as part of an agreement between the [[Polish Government in Exile]] and the [[United Kingdom]] in 1940.
''' No. 308 "City of Kraków" Polish Fighter Squadron RAF''' ({{langx|pl|308 Dywizjon Myśliwski "Krakowski"}}) was a Polish [[Fighter aircraft|fighter]] [[squadron (aviation)|squadron]] formed in [[Great Britain]] as part of an agreement between the [[Polish Government in Exile]] and the [[United Kingdom]] in 1940. It was one of 15 squadrons of the [[Polish Air Forces in France and Great Britain|Polish Air Force in exile]] that served alongside the [[Royal Air Force]] in [[World War II]].{{sfn|Lewis|1968|pp=95–97; 125}}

[[File:308 pil.jpg|thumb|Pilots of 308 squadron (from left): Marian Wesołowski, Bolesław Palej, Forest Yeo-Thomas, Stefan Krzyżagórski, Stanisław Piątkowski, Stefan Janus, Tadeusz Rolski, Jerzy Popławski, Franciszek Skiba, Marian Pisarek, Jan Jakubowski, Tadeusz Schiele. Jerzy Zbierzchowski is kneeling, accompanied by the mascot of the 308 Squadron - female Jumbie]]
[[File:308 pil.jpg|thumb|Pilots of 308 squadron (from left): Marian Wesołowski, Bolesław Palej, [[F. F. E. Yeo-Thomas|Forest Yeo-Thomas]], Stefan Krzyżagórski, Stanisław Piątkowski, Stefan Janus, Tadeusz Rolski, Jerzy Popławski, Franciszek Skiba, Marian Pisarek, Jan Jakubowski, Tadeusz Schiele. Jerzy Zbierzchowski is kneeling, accompanied by the mascot of the 308 Squadron - female Jumbie]]
[[File:308 mech.jpg|thumb|308 Squadron ground personnel at the Spitfire]]
[[File:308 mech.jpg|thumb|308 Squadron ground personnel posing with a Spitfire]]
==History==
==History==
The squadron was formed on 5 September 1940 at the RAF Polish Depot in [[Squires Gate]], [[Blackpool]], from pilots of the Fighter Squadron of the 2nd Aviation Regiment in Krakow (in September 1939 the regiment was part of the Krakow Army). The personnel list was approved on September 9, 1940, and on September 12, the squadron of 170 was transferred to [[Speke]] Airport near Liverpool for initial training. It was supplied with [[Miles Master]] (trainers) and [[Hawker Hurricane]] fighters. The first CO, Squadron Leader John Davies, was killed after striking a balloon cable just a few weeks after taking command.
The squadron was formed on 5 September 1940{{sfn|Lewis|1968|p=96}} at the RAF Polish Depot in [[Squires Gate, Blackpool|Squires Gate]], [[Blackpool]], from pilots of the Fighter Squadron of the 2nd Aviation Regiment in Krakow (in September 1939 the regiment was part of the Krakow Army). The personnel list was approved on 9 September 1940, and on 12 September the squadron of 170 personnel were transferred to [[Speke]] Airport near Liverpool for initial training. It was supplied with [[Miles Master]] (trainers) and [[Hawker Hurricane]] fighters. The first CO, Squadron Leader John Davies, was killed after striking a balloon cable just a few weeks after taking command.


On November 24, 1940, the first air victory was recorded on the Squadron's account when Pilot Mieczysław Parafiński downed a twin-engine Ju-88 bomber during a training flight.
On 24 November 1940, the squadron's first air victory was recorded when Pilot Mieczysław Parafiński shot down a [[Junkers Ju 88]] bomber during a training flight.


The squadron began combat service on December 1, 1940, also preparing for night flights in order to repel Luftwaffe night raids.
The squadron began combat service on 1 December 1940, also preparing for night flights in order to repel Luftwaffe night raids.


By October 1941 the squadron was based at [[Baginton Aerodrome]] where [["Tommy" Yeo-Thomas]] was intelligence officer.<ref>James Hutchison, ‘[[Thomas, Forest Frederic Edward Yeo-]](1902–1964)’, rev. [[Oxford Dictionary of National Biography]], Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, Jan 2010</ref> It then converted to [[Supermarine Spitfire|Spitfires]] and operated from [[RAF Northolt]]. The new equipment was quickly mastered by the pilots, as evidenced by the success of 2nd Lt. pil. Wandzilak, who was the first of the PSP pilots to shoot down an Fw-190 on September 21, 1941.
By October 1941 the squadron was based at [[Baginton Aerodrome]] where [["Tommy" Yeo-Thomas]] was intelligence officer.<ref>{{cite book |first=James |last=Hutchison |year=2004 |chapter=[[F. F. E. Yeo-Thomas|Yeo-Thomas, Forest Frederic Edward]] (1902–1964) |title=[[Oxford Dictionary of National Biography]] |publisher=Oxford University Press |edition=online}}</ref> It then converted to [[Supermarine Spitfire|Spitfires]] and operated from [[RAF Northolt]]. The new equipment was quickly mastered by the pilots, as evidenced by the success of 2nd Lt. pil. Wandzilak, who was the first of the PSP pilots to shoot down an Fw 190 on 21 September 1941.


The squadron was then operated over [[France]] before its transfer to the [[2nd Tactical Air Force]] in 1943 as a fighter-bomber squadron. Its main task became the destruction of ground targets. Squadron pilots destroyed a total of 536 land vehicles, 17 locomotives, 109 wagons, 45 ships and 28 buildings. The squadron then followed the allied advance across Europe after the [[Normandy Landings]] in 1944. It disbanded at [[RAF Ahlhorn]], [[Germany]] on 18 December 1946 after hostilities had ceased.
The squadron was then operated over [[France]] before its transfer to the [[2nd Tactical Air Force]] in 1943 as a fighter-bomber squadron. Its main task became the destruction of ground targets. Squadron pilots successfully destroyed a total of 536 land vehicles, 17 locomotives, 109 wagons, 45 ships and 28 buildings. The squadron then followed the allied advance across Europe after the [[Normandy Landings]] in 1944. It disbanded on 18 December 1946{{sfn|Lewis|1968|p=96}} at [[RAF Ahlhorn]], [[Germany]], after hostilities had ceased.


308 Squadron was one of the most effective PSP fighter units (69 certain kills, 13 probable, 21 damage).
308 Squadron achieved 69 confirmed kills, 13 probable, and 21 damaged. This made it one of the most effective PSP fighter units.


==Aircraft operated==
==Aircraft operated==
{|class="wikitable"
{|class="wikitable"
|+Aircraft operated by No. 308 Squadron RAF<ref name=Jefford>{{cite book|year=1988|author=C.G.Jefford |isbn=1-85310-053-6|title=RAF Squadrons|publisher= UK Airlife Publishing }}</ref>
|+Aircraft operated by No. 308 Squadron RAF<ref>{{harvnb|Jefford|1988|p=}}{{page needed|date=June 2024}}</ref>
|-
|-
| Oct 1940 || Apr 1941 ||[[Hawker Hurricane]]||I
| Oct 1940 || Apr 1941 ||[[Hawker Hurricane]]||I
Line 79: Line 81:


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Polish Air Forces in Great Britain]]
*[[Polish Air Forces in France and Great Britain]]
*[[Polish contribution to World War II]]
*[[Military history of Poland during World War II]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book |last=Jefford |first=CG |year=1988 |title=RAF Squadrons |place=Shrewsbury |publisher=Airlife Publishing |isbn=1-85310-053-6}}
* {{cite book |last=Lewis |first=Peter |year=1968 |origyear=1959 |title=Squadron Histories, RFC, RNAS and RAF, Since 1912 |place=London |publisher=[[G. P. Putnam's Sons|Putnam]] |id= SBN 370-00022-6}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|No. 308 (Polish) Squadron RAF}}
{{Commons category|No. 308 (Polish) Squadron RAF}}
⚫
* {{cite web |url= http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/308squadron.cfm |title=308 Squadron |work=Royal Air Force}}{{dead link |date=June 2024}}
* [http://www.rafweb.org/Squadrons/Sqn300-318.htm History of No.'s 300–318 Squadrons at RAF Web]
* {{cite web |url= http://www.polishairforce.pl/dyw308zdj.html |title=308 Dywizjon Myśliwski "Krakowski" |website=polishairforce.pl |lang=pl}} – historic photographs
⚫
* [http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/308squadron.cfm 308 Squadron history on the official RAF website]
* {{cite web |url= http://www.rafweb.org/Squadrons/Sqn300-318.htm |title=No 308 (Krakow) Squadron |work=Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation}}
* [http://listakrzystka.pl/en/ Personnel of the Polish Air Force in Great Britain 1940-1947]
* {{cite web |url= http://listakrzystka.pl/en/ |last=Hodyra |first=Piotr |title=Personnel of the Polish Air Force in Great Britain 1940-1947}}
* [http://polishsquadronsremembered.com/308/308_pic_gal.html 308 Squadron pictures]


{{RAF squadrons}}
{{RAF squadrons}}

Latest revision as of 03:07, 21 October 2024

No. 308 "City of Kraków" Polish Fighter Squadron
Active5 September 1940 – 18 December 1946
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
AllegiancePoland Polish Government in exile
Branch Royal Air Force
RoleFighter and fighter bomber
Part ofRAF Fighter Command
Nickname(s)Krakow
Dywizjon Myśliwski "Krakowski"
AircraftHawker Hurricane
Supermarine Spitfire
Insignia
Squadron CodesZF (September 1940 – December 1946)

No. 308 "City of Kraków" Polish Fighter Squadron RAF (Polish: 308 Dywizjon Myśliwski "Krakowski") was a Polish fighter squadron formed in Great Britain as part of an agreement between the Polish Government in Exile and the United Kingdom in 1940. It was one of 15 squadrons of the Polish Air Force in exile that served alongside the Royal Air Force in World War II.[1]

Pilots of 308 squadron (from left): Marian Wesołowski, Bolesław Palej, Forest Yeo-Thomas, Stefan Krzyżagórski, Stanisław Piątkowski, Stefan Janus, Tadeusz Rolski, Jerzy Popławski, Franciszek Skiba, Marian Pisarek, Jan Jakubowski, Tadeusz Schiele. Jerzy Zbierzchowski is kneeling, accompanied by the mascot of the 308 Squadron - female Jumbie
308 Squadron ground personnel posing with a Spitfire

History

[edit]

The squadron was formed on 5 September 1940[2] at the RAF Polish Depot in Squires Gate, Blackpool, from pilots of the Fighter Squadron of the 2nd Aviation Regiment in Krakow (in September 1939 the regiment was part of the Krakow Army). The personnel list was approved on 9 September 1940, and on 12 September the squadron of 170 personnel were transferred to Speke Airport near Liverpool for initial training. It was supplied with Miles Master (trainers) and Hawker Hurricane fighters. The first CO, Squadron Leader John Davies, was killed after striking a balloon cable just a few weeks after taking command.

On 24 November 1940, the squadron's first air victory was recorded when Pilot Mieczysław Parafiński shot down a Junkers Ju 88 bomber during a training flight.

The squadron began combat service on 1 December 1940, also preparing for night flights in order to repel Luftwaffe night raids.

By October 1941 the squadron was based at Baginton Aerodrome where "Tommy" Yeo-Thomas was intelligence officer.[3] It then converted to Spitfires and operated from RAF Northolt. The new equipment was quickly mastered by the pilots, as evidenced by the success of 2nd Lt. pil. Wandzilak, who was the first of the PSP pilots to shoot down an Fw 190 on 21 September 1941.

The squadron was then operated over France before its transfer to the 2nd Tactical Air Force in 1943 as a fighter-bomber squadron. Its main task became the destruction of ground targets. Squadron pilots successfully destroyed a total of 536 land vehicles, 17 locomotives, 109 wagons, 45 ships and 28 buildings. The squadron then followed the allied advance across Europe after the Normandy Landings in 1944. It disbanded on 18 December 1946[2] at RAF Ahlhorn, Germany, after hostilities had ceased.

308 Squadron achieved 69 confirmed kills, 13 probable, and 21 damaged. This made it one of the most effective PSP fighter units.

Aircraft operated

[edit]
Aircraft operated by No. 308 Squadron RAF[4]
Oct 1940 Apr 1941 Hawker Hurricane I
Mar 1941 May 1941 Supermarine Spitfire I
May 1941 Aug 1941 Supermarine Spitfire IIA
Aug 1941 Nov 1943 Supermarine Spitfire VB
Jan 1942 Feb 1942 Supermarine Spitfire IIA
Nov 1943 Mar 1945 Supermarine Spitfire IX
Mar 1945 Dec 1946 Supermarine Spitfire XVI

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Lewis 1968, pp. 95–97, 125.
  2. ^ a b Lewis 1968, p. 96.
  3. ^ Hutchison, James (2004). "Yeo-Thomas, Forest Frederic Edward (1902–1964)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press.
  4. ^ Jefford 1988[page needed]

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Jefford, CG (1988). RAF Squadrons. Shrewsbury: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
  • Lewis, Peter (1968) [1959]. Squadron Histories, RFC, RNAS and RAF, Since 1912. London: Putnam. SBN 370-00022-6.
[edit]
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