303 Squadron during BOB Video

[Gman]

After watching the Bomber boys video posted, and then finding the BOB video done by the McGregor brothers as well, I stumbled on this video about the Polish squadron during the Battle of Britain.  I'd had no idea they performed so well, in Hurricanes no less.  After about a month in action, they had 2x the number of kills as the next best squadron, and 1/3 the losses of the next best squad, a 600 percent lead in k/d ratio over the next best squads.  Pretty incredible.  The video has some pretty scenes, and lots of good info I thought.  I found it funny listening to the pilots comments, that after flying the fixed gear Polish fighters, that killing Germans was like child's play in the Hurricane, it was almost too easy, so he said.  Also, the time that the Polish pilots chased the Germans all the way back to France, and the RAF's reaction and letter were good for a laugh too. 

The British Wing Commander thought at first the Poles were lying about their claims, until he snuck up and followed them into battle, and was stunned at their head on tactics, and saw how they closed in to point blank range before firing, often at 100 yards or less.  The sky was filled with burning planes and chutes, and after that, he had no trouble believing the claims being put in by the Polish.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptijNcDanVw

[B3YT]

Yeah 303 were a great bunch . read up on 249 squadron too .  The poles would get in to 150 yrds or less before firing .  Damn it I love the Hurricane MkIa such a nice ride

[expat]

Thanks for the link .   repeat please .........

[B3YT]

lol expat ask Wurzle about my Repeat please

[Masherbrum]

 

The wife bought me this for Xmas.  Just biding my time to find a frame.   

http://www.posart.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=Toby

[uptown]

I really enjoyed that....up to the end anyway. I've heard of the 303 before but had no idea they were a Polish unit. They were truly amazing and didn't deserve the raw deal they got in the end. The British powers to be at the time just flat out turned their backs are these brave men..... and their country for that matter. Disgraceful

I guess the 303 was the Brits version of the Tuskegee Airmen in how they were treated after the war was over.  

[B3YT]

the 303rd were not alone . there were up to 12 non CAF squadrons  in the RAF  during WWII including South African , Polish , Chezck , French , US , Belgian .  Most got a raw deal , but then the UK was completely broke owing vast sums to the USA .

[Ack-Ack]

A lot (I think the majority) of those Poles in RAF service during the BoB were already combat vets from the Battle of Poland and some also flew with the French (after fleeing Poland) during the Battle for France.  As such, the Poles had already learned the hard lessons born from combat, which the RAF were about to learn themselves the hardway. 

Also, the Poles were very well trained flyers.  During the invasion of Poland, heavily out numbered and flying near obsolete planes, the Poles managed to give the Luftwaffe a bloody nose and black eye in the air but were finally overwhelmed by sheer numbers and the Soviet invasion.

ack-ack

[B3YT]

Ack-ack Most were aces before joining the RAF  .  It was the way they wouldn't fire untill 150yrds maximum .  This was later taught to the other RAF squadrons .
 

[Gman]

Exactly Ack Ack and B3yt.


Also Karaya, that's a good wife - keeper for sure.

[uptown]

Also, the Poles were very well trained flyers.  During the invasion of Poland, heavily out numbered and flying near obsolete planes, the Poles managed to give the Luftwaffe a bloody nose and black eye in the air but were finally overwhelmed by sheer numbers and the Soviet invasion.

ack-ack

It just blows me away thinking about the courage it took to do something like that, knowing that every fiber of their being and common sense must of been telling them to run for cover. Extraordinary is an understatement.