300 Squadron

by Chris Ward, Grzegorz Korcz

Polish airmen came to Britain in 1939 and 1940 with a burning anger, which could only be assuaged through the avenging of the injustices visited upon their people and homeland by the Nazi regime. Unlike the British, who only anticipated invasion, the people of Poland had experienced it in all its hateful forms, and its people continued to suffer under the merciless yoke of tyranny. What the Poles asked for was simple, to be given the means to hit back, and from the moment this was provided, they launched themselves at every opportunity with a fanatical, yet measured, determination, never doubting the eventual outcome, or their ability to help bring it about. It was a case of small beginnings, four squadrons formed in the north Warwickshire countryside during the summer of 1940, equipped with outdated, ill-equipped Fairey Battles, a type effectively knocked out of the Battle of France with catastrophic casualties in less than a week’s fighting. The first tentative operational steps were carried out in these aircraft against invasion ports on the enemy coast, but, in truth, the crews would happily have flown them to Berlin if they had possessed the range.The arrival of the Wellington towards the end of 1940 provided a greater punch, and for the next three years 300 Squadron carried on with this trusty type, as a front-line bomber unit in 1 Group, and then predominantly on mining duties as the Wellington approached the end of its operational life. The desire to operate against the enemy was a constant characteristic of Polish aircrew, and, unlike their counterparts in other squadrons, they rarely jettisoned their bombs if in trouble, but strove always to bring them home to use next time. The dwindling supply of Poles led to the disbandment of one Polish squadron, while another was posted to Coastal Command, and, eventually one to the 2nd Tactical Air Force. This left 300 Squadron to fly the flag for Poland in Bomber Command, but, to continue to do so required difficult decisions. As the rest of the Command converted to four-engine aircraft, the commander-in-chief of the Polish air forces could have agreed to 300 Squadron becoming a Halifax unit in 4 Group, but he recognised the type’s vulnerability to the enemy’s defences, and the need to husband his national resources. The squadron would continue to operate the Wellington, with no guarantee that Lancasters would ever be made available. Patience was rewarded with conversion to the Lancaster in 1944, but even then, it became necessary to add a British Flight to supplement manpower until the flow of Polish airmen increased again. The passion, commitment to the cause, raw courage and press-on spirit of the airmen who served with 300 Squadron may occasionally have been equalled, but never surpassed, and their deeds will live on as part of the glorious history of RAF Bomber Command.

299 pages, Paperback

Published October 16, 2016