Never forget - how can I?

[Spitfire]

Snap - and a picture was taken.
Just another day in 303 Squadron at Northolt during that hot summer of 1940. Beginning of September.
3 Polish pilots:L to R: Sgt Michal BRZEZOWSKI, Sgt Stefan WOJTOWICZ and Sgt Eugeniusz SZAPOSZNIKOW
Smiling rather awkward to the camera or starring at the ground.



Within two weeks after this picture was taken both Brzezowski and Wojtowich were dead. KIA.
Only Szaposznikow survived the war.

It makes me very sad, just to look at this - but also very, very grateful.

[Smithy]

It is a wonderful photo mate. Well posted.

[Miss Stella]

I truly believe we all need to be reminded of the sacrifices so many made so we may live so freely today. Things may not be perfect but they could be oh SO much worse!

[V.C. Brunswick]

Sgt Szaposznikow's actual uniform -- he was an ace with eight victories.



http://www.rathbonemuseum.com/POLAND/SZAP/Szap.html

[alsendk]

V:C:Brunswick
did the pilots, from where ever they were coming to Great Britain to fight, have their individual country uniform as their regular uniform within the RAF?
did the few danish pilots have their danish uniforms also?
A fine gesture from RAF if so, I believe.

[TomS]

Very Interesting, thanks!

[1961MJS]

V:C:Brunswick
did the pilots, from where ever they were coming to Great Britain to fight, have their individual country uniform as their regular uniform within the RAF?
did the few danish pilots have their danish uniforms also?
A fine gesture from RAF if so, I believe.

Hi

VC will have a more complete answer, but the RAF provided Country tabs similar in placement, shape and size to the US Army Rangr and Special Forces Tab with the country of the pilot on it. USA, South Africa, and others were used. Americans made up the Eagle Squadron, but that probably wasn't the only squadron that Americans served in.

Later

[V.C. Brunswick]

I believe the Free French pilots retained their old dark blue Armee' de L'Aire uniforms but aircrew from the other Allied nations (Czechoslovakia, Netherlands, Norway, Poland) serving under RAF command wore the standard RAF-issue uniform with the addition of their own national insignia which was also identified by the nationality tab. There also exists a USA/Canada tab presumably for the Americans who were with the RCAF.

[Smithy]

I believe the Free French pilots retained their old dark blue Armee' de L'Aire uniforms but aircrew from the other Allied nations (Czechoslovakia, Netherlands, Norway, Poland) serving under RAF command wore the standard RAF-issue uniform with the addition of their own national insignia which was also identified by the nationality tab. There also exists a USA/Canada tab presumably for the Americans who were with the RCAF.

Not necessarily. For Allied air force aircrew serving under RAF administration it depended on the individual air force involved and within that very often on when and where the aircrew in question trained and/or finished training. Norwegian airmen for instance can be seen wearing full RAF uniform, with RAF wings, equivalent RAF rank and shoulder nationality insignia very early in their involvement, eg Svein Heglund. Whereas later in the war Norwegian airmen were wearing their full national uniform, including, wings, rank, caps, etc with the sole addition of a "Norway" shoulder flash.


Alsendk,

Danish aircrew for the most part wore Norwegian uniform patterns as the majority of them served within the Norwegian squadrons, eg Kaj Birksted.

[alsendk]

Alsendk,

"Danish aircrew for the most part wore Norwegian uniform patterns as the majority of them served within the Norwegian squadrons, eg Kaj Birksted. "


Thanks for your information Smithy, I have 2 pictures in my pc, that presumely indicates these 2 danish pilots to wear RAF/ norwegian uniforms.
I have no idea what was their name, or what happened to these two chaps.


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