POLISH SQUADRON

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21214, 10 September 1940, Page 5

POLISH SQUADRON

DASHING PART PLAYED BIGGEST “BAG” OF DAY GALLANT ATTACK MADE (United Press Asn.—Elec. Tel. copyright) LONDON, Sept. 8 Pilots’ own accounts of Saturday’s daylight air attack on London reveal that a dashing part was played by a Polish squadron. Perfect timing between three fighter squadrons was said to be responsible for smashing a big enemy formation near the eastern part of London. One of these three squadrons, a Polish squadron of Hurricanes, had the largest “bag.” When the Poles arrived, about 40 Dornier bombers were flying at 20,000 ft. Some distance behind them, and above, was a small formation of Messerschmitts 110. Further behind still, at an even greater height, probably 30,000 ft., were some Messerschmitts 109. The latter were attacked by Spitfires. The Messerschmitts 110 did not seem to know what to do. One of the Hurricane squadrons attacked the rear of the Dornier formation, which then turned east, and provided the Polish squadron with a first-class target. The Poles, who had been flying in sections of three, one behind the other, swung round, so that the whole squadron was almost broadside on to the bombers. They dived down 4000 ft. out of the sun to the attack, each member of each section choosing his individual target. Tremendous Fighters A British pilot, praising the courage of the Poles, said: “They are tremendous fighters. Their enthusiasm is infectious. When they go tearing into the enemy bombers and fighters they go so close that you think they are going to collide.” One Pole, after shooting down two Dorniers, was himseif attacked, and baled out over Essex. He landed safely near Roughton and rejoined his squadron a few hours later. Three of the Poles got two bombers each, and a fourth got one bomber and one fighter. In the action with the Polish squadron was a Czecho-Slovak pilot, who flew his aeroplane to Poland after the invasion of his country by the Nazis. He fought in Poland last autumn, and came to England with the Polish squadron. His fellow countrymen were in the air over London with their own squadron at the same time, and brought down five German raiders.