RAF's Terrifying Payback Team They Never Wanted to Deploy

Inside the cockpit of his Hawker Hurricane, Flying Officer Ludwik Paskiewicz exhaled deeply. While the Battle of Britain raged across the skies, he and his fellow Polish pilots of No. 303 Squadron found themselves grounded - relegated to routine training exercises. The Royal Air Force, haunted by Poland's swift defeat, still doubted their abilities.
Then Paskiewicz spotted it - a German aircraft silhouetted against the horizon. He radioed his British commander. No response. The orders were clear: do not engage. But as he watched the enemy through his gunsight, years of combat experience and the burning desire to defend his adopted home pushed against military discipline. These were the same aircraft that had devastated his homeland, and now they threatened his newfound refuge.
As he pushed forward the throttle, he smiled to himself. It was time to show what the Poles were really made of...
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Join Dark Skies as we explore the world of aviation with cinematic short documentaries featuring the biggest and fastest airplanes ever built, top-secret military projects, and classified missions with hidden untold true stories. Including US, German, and Soviet warplanes, along with aircraft developments that took place during World War I, World War 2, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Gulf War, and special operations mission in between.
As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Skies sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect and soundtracks for emotional impact. We do our best to keep it as visually accurate as possible.
All content on Dark Skies is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don't hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas.

[@Kolinu2]

My dad was in the RAF, flying Hurricanes and Typhoons. I remember hearing him say how impressed he was with the courage and ability of the Polish airmen. Great nation.

[@0QualityOverQuantity]

handing them over to the Russians was the biggest act of treachery of ww2.

[@bobsakamanos4469]

He was lucky to survive flying Hurri's & Tiffy's

[@isthereanybodyoutthere9397]

We owe them a huge debt of gratitude. May they all Rest In Perfect Peace.

[@Ingramdumpkiss]

@@bobsakamanos4469 Nothing wrong with the Typhoon - until you tried to land it.

[@bobsakamanos4469]

@@Ingramdumpkiss Or take off, but ditching in the channel with that big chin intake was just as bad.

[@paulpowell4871]

My boss in the late 70's was amazing. he was 15 at the time Poland was attacked and had a Paperboy route in linden NJ. his polish parents were beside themselves as he took his earned money and paid a Pilot at the Linden Airport to teach him to fly. He turned 16 and got his permit and sailed to England. Poland had fallen by then. He hooked up with the Pole and the RAF and got into a Bomber group as an American and a Polish translator. Later when the Americans Joined he was given a commision as an American pilot. He Owned a Bar near Newark Airport when I met him

[@ipodman1910]

True Polish spirit!!!

[@clifford4514]

Great story.

[@NVRAMboi]

Salutes to a great man.

[@Hubeeeert]

I'm Polish and I'd like to thank you for the video. We fought our common enemy Germans only to be betrayed by western politicians and left for the Soviets to enslave us for another 45 years. I'd like to ask you for one more video, showing the fate of our soldiers fighting for you after the war. Both in the UK and in Poland.

[@sextonblake4258]

Yes, that was a travesty. It should not have happened.

[@georgebarnes8163]

My hometown here in Northern Ireland has a memorial to the Polish pilots (303/315 squadrons )that flew from a local airfield in WW2, there are also the graves on 3 Polish airmen in one of the local graveyards which are attended to by locals and well kept, we do not forget what the Polish pilots did and I am ashamed of the way the Polish were treated by the western governments after the war but I can assure you that the General British public does not nor ever did agree with the treatment of the Polish veterans.

[@petersmith7126]

​@@georgebarnes8163.... Sadly there was a lot of resentment to them staying on after war with many asking when are they going home the wars over

[@petersmith7126]

Sadly the treatment Poland received rankles a lot of us but Poland was left to the Soviets mainly thanks to the Americans believing they could trust them to keep their word after the war to allow free and honest elections

[@lv8920]

G-B declared war at Germany because it invaded Poland. 2 weeks later the Soviets invaded Poland from the East, so Poland had to fight on two fronts. G-B should have declared war at the Soviets because they also violated the Polish sovereignty (in alliance with Hitler = von Ribbentrop Pact = Poland was to be divided between Germany and S.U.). Poland was betrayed two times (in '39 and '45)

[@michaelm2491]

My Grandfather Theodore Supernat was a Polish navigator, killed in Berlin Airlift.....Thank you all for your service☮

[@DeirdreMcNamara]

Oh bless! You have an angel watching over you - in every sense of the word! H and Stalin knew they had to take out Poland first. Invaded on the same day (week as it turned out) from the East and the West. Be very proud of your people.

[@nigeldewallens1115]

I am sorry for your loss! My mum was in the RAF at that time and I had uncles in the RAF as bomber pilots! My dad lost his brother and a brother of my mum's survived the war! May your Grandfather R.I.P

[@MultiBurger1]

❤🖐🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@CanadairCL44]

Everybody forgets the success of the Czech squadrons, Nos. 310, 311 and 312 squadrons. They also flew hard and helped defend Britain. I actually have some copies of their original combat reports.

[@ikedenvers2102]

People think these are dark times NOW? Geezus our forbears survived the GREAT DEPRESSION and faced a seemingly invincible Third Reich that had conquered ALL OF CONTINENTAL EUROPE. If British Prime Ministère Winston Churchill hadn't told Nazi ouvertures of a ceasefire "Never, Never, NEVER"" , what would be left of Non German European nations would all be Sprechen Sie Deutsche if not in a mass grave .Men Like these brave Pôles, Czechs and other were ESSENTIAL to winning the Battle of Britain which should actually have been called the BATTLE OF EUROPE...

[@mothmagic1]

Please put together a documentary on them.

[@cmsinx]

I met the most famous of them - Deep Blue is his story but in Czech. Pre war aerobatic champion and shotgun champion. Outstanding fighter pilot.

[@ghtwghtw7197]

And immediately forgotten by the west....

[@bessarion1771]

The Poles do not forget....

[@karoltakisobie6638]

Czechoslovak pilots had very similar problems with integrating with RAF but unlike Polish pilots their story is still unknown. Can you please make a program about them?

[@RolandAdams-h4m]

​@@newprimitiveart It is worth noting that the very Czech pilots were later hunted down by communists in their own country, after the war ended. The same kind of communists are in charge of EU now.

[@Geoff-n1d]

It’s peace not piece

[@petersmith7126]

@@Geoff-n1d .... The Grammar Gestapo is strong in this one

[@brokennose2681]

@@petersmith7126 No shit.

[@cmsinx]

I met 3 of these heroes at the BRNO airshow in 2004. Wonderful stories. A film in Czech called ‘Deep Blue’ is the story of one of them. Unbelievable bravery to escape to Britain, fly in the BoB , survive the war; locked up by Communists after repatriation then escape by crop sprayer to the West with 3 passengers. See the film, tell it in English, please.

[@evannielsen9013]

As a Polish American ;we have a lot to be proud of when hearing about people like these who respond to the needs of the people. i served for 25 years myself and always look fondly on those who came before me . At the air museum at bradley airport in CT. they have a wing dedicated to them. (303)

[@bessarion1771]

Gotta look it up (I'm a Pole living in Delaware).

[@butcher390]

I've been to that museum It's amazing ✈

[@icewaterslim7260]

A lot of these Polish nationals went from the RAF to the 56th Fighter Group of the 8th USAAF (aka Zemke's Wolfpack) where their combat experience contributed to innovating the bomber escort tactics that the 8th AAF adopted to destroy the Lufttwaffe. The 56th FG also led the US Fighter Groups in Europe in Aerial victories.

[@SmD-ff5xd]

You're American, Evan.

[@evannielsen9013]

@ second generation american .grandparents were immigrants from Poland. before ww2. I heard from my grandma about them coming to the us to get away from what was coming. I am aware of them coming here. my grandfather supposedly came here by himself at fifteen.

[@Graham-p1s]

I think it was Bob Doe, one of the few, who summed it up best when he said "we (the RAF ) wanted to shoot down enemy aircraft, the Poles wanted to kill Germans". For them it was personal

[@PaulJakma]

I think there might be a similar comment in one of the biographies of one the BoB aces - sounds very familiar. Possibly Forrester's biography of Robert Stanford-Tuck ("Fly for Your Life"). Pretty sure the free polish squadron is mentioned in there somewhere, but I don't have the book anymore.

[@davidrenton]

and that in a nutshell, shows the problem with them, revenge nearly cost the battle

[@DeirdreMcNamara]

@@davidrenton What "problem?"

[@bwnco]

@@davidrenton i agree, what problem..lol. there score an kill ratio was in the top top

[@DrittAdrAtta]

​@@davidrentonThey literally tipped the scales in favour of the British at a critical moment, so maybe learn before posting BS.

[@StarSwarm.]

The internet causes a lot of issues in this world but every now and then, you see something that totally makes it worth it. This video is one of those things. Thank you. More people need to learn and remember our history.

[@zh84]

I live in Eastern Scotland. There was a large Polish influx at the air-base near here. We have a mosaic commemorating them on the side of the Town Hall and a statue of General Sikorski in one of our parks. After the war when Poland was occupied by the Soviet Union many people were afraid to go home, which resulted in Polish soldiers marrying and settling down. I went to school with a boy whose father was a Polish exile.

[@occamraiser]

Yes - yet they still bleat about how badly treated they were. I also know a guy who's father settled from Poland in Wales - as a coal miner - Perhaps the people commenting above about the terrible way the Western politicians treated Poles might want to revise their parochial little world view.

[@sandormccann2546]

@@occamraiser The officer corps, which included many aristocrats, were betrayed to the Soviets and many were executed or sent to Gulags where they died. The British showing their true face once again. Evil to the core.

[@ipodman1910]

@occamriser oh - yes - General Maczek forced to work as a bartender and gen sosabowski as a storage worker… and these are just examples. Truly great treatment… get out of your bafoonry!

[@sooky2253]

​@@occamraiser who are you to judge their lived experience or their personal opinions?

[@bogtrottername7001]

@@occamraiser You sound like a creep.

[@AJeziorski1967]

Grateful for this video. May they never be forgotten.

[@stephenhall3515]

A major reason why the UK has such a large Polish population began with these brave men -- some of whom also flew in Bomber Command. My father was a radar man in a Lancaster in 1944 which had been "rather beaten up" and the Polish pilot captain suggested that crew dropped into the sea to be rescued while he would try to land on just one wheel and the tail wheel. All crew opted to stay put and the plan was to drop to almost stall speed on the grass of an aerodrome, using crew to equalize weight. Then as soon as the wing lacking a wheel dipped, the idea was to forward roll out and away from the plane. Pilot and co-pilot would exit the cockpit through a flak hole. However, the tail gunner had returned to his turret for his flight book and was reluctant to jump on to a wing so the whole crew and some ground men joined hands and made a human net. Only when the gunner was safe did he reveal that he had a serious leg wound. All crew flew again and the 'Lanc' was repaired and put on coastal duties. Dad was 19 when this occurred. He often said that the Polish fly boys were usually a few years older than average RAF crew and were experienced in several types of aircraft. Approximately 50% of WW2 Polish airmen remained in the UK and civvy jobs were in engineering. Aside from the national languages of Britain, Polish is the only official language to this day.

[@ianseddon9347]

Poles should always be welcome in England

[@EbenBransome]

@@ianseddon9347 And Czechs.

[@KevinBowden-f3f]

Many Polish pilots are at rest in our local cemetery in Epping,,, they flew from North Weald Airfield, They are Honoured every year. Brave of the Brave.

[@joegordon5117]

There is a memorial in Grangemouth, Scotland, to the men who were trained there for the RAF in those dark days. The names on the memorial contains many Polish names. And Czech, Irish, American, Canadian, Kiwi and Aussie, alongside their UK colleagues, each of these men determined to defend this last part of free Europe with their lives. An enormous debt we still owe, and a reminder how much stronger we are together.

[@ximinez84]

I don't normally comment on KZbin videos, but I'll make an exception for this one. As a Pole, I'm really grateful you decided to make a video on the 303. They, alongside other volunteers from Poland, Czechoslovakia, Belgium, the Commonwealth, and elsewhere are all too often forgotten when the story of the Battle of Britain is retold. Thank you and keep up the great work!

[@christhomas131]

I can assure you that 303 squadron is not forgotten in the UK. For example, just this September one of our preserved steam locomotives was renamed to commemorate the squadron and its achievements.

[@veritasvincit2745]

I agree with the comment before mine. When I was a child in the 1970s I used to read books about the air battles of WWII and the Polish contribution along with others was never erased or omitted. My neighbour at the time was at Monte Casino and always credited the Poles. Television and film have always been weird when it comes to recording and broadcasting facts though. Also, those of us who holidayed on the Isle of Wight as kids learnt about the defence of Cowes by the Polish ship, ORP Błyskawica and her crew.

[@mikethecabbie8476]

Watch the film Battle of Britain. There's a wonderfully comic scene in there that honours the 303...

[@Jones-xx2gc]

Along with the other volunteers from other nations who flew with the Polish airmen for Britain back then we owe them a debt of gratitude.

[@richardstaz721]

Dowding’s assessment said it all - that without the Polish fighter squadrons, he couldn’t be certain the Battle of Britain could have been won - remarkable, and who would know better than him.

[@craigs71]

Poles and Czechs.

[@richardstaz721]

@ I’m sure he meant to include the Czechs too, but the Poles were remarkably the largest national contingent after the British themselves.

[@catinthehat906]

@@richardstaz721 There were 126 NZ pilots from a population of 1.6 million.

[@anthonywilson4873]

I lived near Northolt aerodrome in the UK this is where 303 Squadron was based. There is a Roundabout on the A40 going into London called the Polish war memorial. There first battle on a training flight over St Albans with fully loaded ammo there was an Air Raid over London. Most Polish pilots scored a Victory. This is all show in the great film the Battle of Britain. As a Brit I can say as a Nation we appreciated all the the Brave foreign Pilots fighting with the British Pilots against a common foe. Many Pilots where from the Commonwealth Australia Canada South Africa and many other African Commonwealth countries, there was also a North American Volunteer Squadron. The Poles sent a few straight in the front and when the bomber stream broke up the rest pounced.. many Poles stayed in the UK after the war and their families are still here. Unfortunately many of those who returned to Poland were murdered by the Communist occupiers of Poland. Britain went to war when Germany and Russia invaded Poland and was only freed when Lech Lawelsa led a pro Democratic movement (Solidarity) and forced out their communist puppet government. The Poles had uprisings which where viciously suppressed 1956. Solidarity led a Democratic movement 1980 to 1989 a non violent protest movement that eventually led to the Communists and their Puppet Masters in Russia handing over power in 1989.

[@anthonywilson4873]

I lived near Northolt aerodrome in the UK this is where 303 Squadron was based. There is a Roundabout on the A40 going into London called the Polish war memorial. There first battle on a training flight over St Albans with fully loaded ammo there was an Air Raid over London. Most Polish pilots scored a Victory. This is all show in the great film the Battle of Britain. As a Brit I can say as a Nation we appreciated all the the Brave foreign Pilots fighting with the British Pilots against a common foe. Many Pilots were from the Commonwealth Australia Canada South Africa and many other African Commonwealth countries, there was also a North American Volunteer Squadron. The Poles tactic was to send a few straight in the front and when the bomber stream broke up the rest pounced.. many Poles stayed in the UK after the war and their families are still here. Unfortunately many of those who returned to Poland were murdered by the Communist occupiers of Poland. Britain went to war when Germany and Russia invaded Poland and was only freed when Lech Lawelsa led a pro Democratic movement (Solidarity) and forced out their communist puppet government. The Poles had uprisings which where viciously suppressed 1956. Solidarity led a Democratic movement 1980 to 1989 a non violent protest movement that eventually led to the Communists and their Puppet Masters in Russia handing over power in 1989.

[@gbentley8176]

My late father was very proud to have trained up many Polish pilots, veteran and new. He found all to be very able and importantly, had a burning desire to retaliate against the Germans who had invade their country. The subsequent communist yoke was hugely upsetting and he felt the UK and allies had not completed their pledge to aid Poland. Later returning to medicine, he treated and was friends with many Polish refugees in our area.

[@bessarion1771]

For those who do not know - the Kosciuszko Squadron was formed in 1919 by the American volunteer pilots who fought in WW I (Polish 7th Air Escadrille). They volunteered to help the Polish Airforce to fight Soviet aggression. They included Merian C. Cooper - he same man who later produced the first King Kong movie, and co-invented Cinerama film projection process and was a co-founder of Pan Am.He received the highest Polish military decoration - Virtuti Militari. The Kosciuszko Squadron was named after the Polish and American hero, Tadeusz Kościuszko. The Squadron logo depicts the four-cornered Polish peasant cap characteristic to the Małopolska region with a peacock feather inside, set against a field of seven red vertical stripes on a white background (forming six white stripes as a result) from the flag of the United States. Behind the red cap is a pair of crossed war scythes. Thirteen blue stars encircle the badge, representing the thirteen original American states. The rogatywka cap and scythes commemorate the Kościuszko Uprising of 1794. The 303 Squadron is a direct and the most famous successor to the original Kosciuszko squadron.

[@peterkelsick3289]

My father was in the RAF, he flew Hurricanes and Typhoons, he had many Polish pilots as friends,a lot of respect for them.

[@LoosiuFlying]

Polish squadrons were unusual in this period also because they were not pilots but whole ground crews were Polish. Mechanics, drivers , logistics they took their pride to have as many airworthy planes as possible.

[@David-th2ug]

As a child growing up in Harrow we were made aware of the Polish war memorial on the A40 at Northolt from an early age. Familiar landmark to all who used that stretch of road. Their contribution to the air war was well known in that part of the world. I thank them for their courage, and skill. It is a great sadness that not all of them survived the war, they certainly deserved to.

[@TheDarrellimpey]

Same here from the other aide of the A40 in Hayes. Without the Polish and Czech airmen the war would have ended in late '40 ot early '41.

[@charlessaint7926]

What do you fight for? Britain, "For King and Country!" Germany, "For das Vaterland!" Poland, "Revenge!"

[@chrishooge3442]

And I suspect that Poland is the most powerful military in Europe now. They remember that the Soviet Union was a Russian dominated empire under another name.

[@EbenBransome]

@@chrishooge3442 First: UK Second: Italy Third: France Fourth: Ukraine. If we include all countries which are at least partly in Europe, it's Russia, UK, Türkiye, Italy, France, Ukraine, Germany, Spain & Poland joint 8th.

[@yarpenzirgin1826]

@@EbenBransome UK can fit its entire armed forces into a f**king football stadium, what are you blabbing about??? Before war in Ukraine, Ukrainian army had over 1000 main battle tanks UK has 200 something.... In fact in the beginning of 2022 Ukraine had largest army in Europe bar Turkey, and Russia, obviously.

[@pacificcoastpiper3949]

The Poles are one of the few countries I would never want to piss off

[@womble321]

They have learnt a lot. I believe they now have the largest armed forces in Europe.

[@Reinhardt-sq5zn]

@@womble321 ... don't forget, the UK declared war on the Germans, not the other way round and the first bombs hit into Germany-Moenschengladbach, long before the german bombing of London !!!

[@vincedibona4687]

They are Europe’s version of Texas. 😂👍🏻😃

[@DanielCPhillips]

Much like the Israelis, they have a motto of "never again"....and are just as fanatical about ensuring it!

[@henrykszuplakszuplak6578]

@@vincedibona4687 where did you get it from?

[@rtyrsson]

The Free Polish Forces in general were magnificent throughout the war. Their treatment, and especially the treatment of their generals, were nothing short of absolutely disgraceful. Fortunately, their history is better told and appreciated now than it was during and immediately after the war.

[@billrey8221]

I am a Polish American....so was my father, grandfather, and great grandfather! Mazurek Dabrowskiego!

[@sambaines8601]

Never doubt the commitment of men with nothing left to lose. Former 8th Air Force.

[@dalewalker4666]

I have known Polish people all my life and am 74, Ivwent to school with Polish kids who became close friends. They are an honournable and brave race and we owe them such a huge debt of gratitude....Thank you so much.

[@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684]

Just as they owe the UK an even LARGER debt of gratitude. It works BOTH ways y'know.

[@JackBurton-q8l]

@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684 The triggering is strong in this one.

[@PaulBrennan-b6m]

Total respect to 🫶🤝🙏to 303squadron and the rest of the poles who served in the RAF outstanding service for Great Britain and there country bravo pilots whom we owe so much too thank you will always be remembered R.I.P to those who didn't come home Angel's 🪽 on your shoulders always fighting for our freedom and victory ✌️🕊️ against all the odds 🫶🤝🙏

[@MaxwellMoore-d1u]

Undoubtedly the Polish Pilots were very Brave men .but also were the Polish Paratroopers based at Hardwick Hall near Chesterfield Derbyshire.

[@vincentgroudeniutes1655]

Dark Skies, please correct your wrong information. Josef František was a Czechoslovak national and anCzechoslovak fighter Ace. His first kill was on 2.9.1940 and he was killed in an accident on 8.10.1940. Never defeated he achieved in that short time perriod 17 kills 1 probable kill. His last kill was recorded on 30.09.1940 In only 28 days he became the highest scoring non englisch pilot in the whole Battle of Britain time period. His britisch comrades called him "the lone wulf", cause of his frequent exploits, where he wentured allone to hunt. He excelled in fighting a nummerically supperior enemy, where the enemy stood in his own way due to owercrowding... Thank you for your consideration.

[@georgefox4982]

Was the highest scoring non English RAF pilot in BoB the top 10 scoring pilots were from the Luftwaffe

[@jiritichy7967]

But the article mentioned that, even if only briefly.

[@skipperclinton1087]

​​@@georgefox4982: "Who were the German fighter aces in the Battle of Britain? Some of these men, individuals such as Adolf Galland, Werner Mölders, and Helmut Wick, who between them had claimed 147 aerial victories by 31 October 1940, are well-known, but most are less so." So no doubt Geo, you're spot on! Unfortunately, they don't specifically state their BoB numbers. Probably the answer is down the rabbit hole.

[@courier955]

There is a beer named after Frantisek....'Lone Wolf IPA. It's a good one too.

[@Rotorhead1651]

If you're going to type in English, learn how to spell in English. I'd rather have to hit the translate button than see such egregious spelling.

[@williambyfleet9573]

Went to school in 1960's with Polish people in England ..cannot speak too highly of them. Exceptionally bright and full of character.

[@gdutfulkbhh7537]

"Repeat, please... repeat please..." Dakka dakka dakka...

[@mikethecabbie8476]

From the film "Battle of Britain".... Actually, it's one of my favourite sequences from a hugely enjoyable film. Gently exposes British colonial attitudes towards foreigners. At least there's a memorial to them at Northolt that we might not forget...

[@mikes8948]

Good on the Poles. No country has a spotless record, but they've always seemed to be among the best allies due to their dedication and valor.

[@occamraiser]

Erm..... and constant whining about how they are remembered and treated. Portugal is the UK's longest standing ally, and for my money Norway is the nation most appreciative of the help it received in the War. Obviously the French just complain that we did too much damage to their property when helping the, 'liberate themselves' - as they tell themselves.

[@BritishRedCoat2025]

@@occamraiser I'd argue that the Netherlands are top rank for respecting what people did to help them be liberated. Every nation has whiners. Lastly, yes, Portugal is our longest-standing ally - but in the context of WW2, they were neutral until 1944. The French and us have a very long history of not getting on - but the animosity after WW2 was deliberately fostered by the USA, backed by the weakened UK, trying to prevent De Gaulle from taking office and then excluding him from post-wat planning. The USA had wanted to take control of France, making it a protectorate of the Allied Military Government of the Occupied Territories - not even allowed to issue its own money, instead they would have been required to use the dollar. The USA also wanted to dismantle both the French and British Empires, so that these could be economically colonised by US companies (as eventually happened). It's also worth remembering that a Franco-British Union, that would have united both our nations as a single political entitiy, were proposed during WW2. Again, in 1956, the French proposed a union between the United Kingdom and the French Union with Elizabeth II as head of state and a common citizenship, with the alternative of France joining the Commonwealth. When we rejected this, and it is likely that France's nationalists would not have actually accepted this and more than we did, they moved to create the EEC.

[@morganofil]

Thank you for being accurate and calling the highest-scored pilot of the 303 Polish squadron a Czechoslovak pilot.

[@fredericksaxton3991]

Weak politicians betrayed the Poles after the war by denying them the victory parade they deserved due to 'consideration' of Soviet feelings.

[@occamraiser]

boo hoo. The point of their efforts was to beat their enemy Germany. NOT to get a parade.

[@fredericksaxton3991]

@@occamraiser Yes, they did so very well, but you cannot deny they were entitled to a Victory Parade, having made that Victory possible.

[@RichardBolger-c5b]

Sounds like our current government..

[@martinchandler71]

They did... Disgusting behaviour on our part

[@BritishRedCoat2025]

@@martinchandler71 In many ways, yes, but remember the state that most of Europe was in and that the USA, the only nation that basically gained from the war and was in a position where their undamaged industry could have continued it, had a population that wasn't interested in having more of their citizens killed for "someone else's fight". Nobody was under any illusions that the Soviets had been allies of convenience (having started out quite happy to side with the Nazis) and that they had ambitions for controlling Europe. Europe was in no condition to move from fighting the Nazis to fighting the CCCP, and this appeasement was felt to be needed to give us all a chance to get ready for any hostile actions from the CCCP. It was terrible that the Poles were banned from celebrating, but worse that Poland and other countries that fought so hard against the Nazis just ended up occupied by Russia instead.

[@lapoguslapogus7161]

I knew there were many Poles who faught with the British, but did not know they were so important to the Battle of Britain. We owe them much gratitude.

[@davebettey1936]

They were shafted after WW2. Britain abandoned them and those who returned to Poland were persecuted by the Russians. We owe the Poles big time

[@ealingwest5750]

An old Polish man I knew called Ed Panksztelo served in the Artillery unit that had Wojtek the bear as a mascot during WW2. He went through hell in North Africa & Italy and as a thank you he said no Polish service men or women were invited to the VE day parade in London because Churchill was advised not to and did not want to antagonize his wartime 'mate' Joe Stalin. PS He had a picture in his wallet of him in the desert with 3 others outside a tent with the bear

[@timpedder6046]

Churchill was out of office by the time of the 1946 Victory Parade. Atlee was Prime Minister.

[@ealingwest5750]

@@timpedder6046 Granted, but Clement was deputy prime minister from 1942 to 1945 and had a close working relationship with his fellow WW1 veteran Winston and records show that he had Atlee's ear and advised not to offend Stalin. Who subsequently reneged on an agreement at the Yalta conference to allow free elections in Poland and all the other countrys in what was to become the Eastern Bloc which resulted in Churchills speech years later about the Iron curtain descending across Europe.

[@islandnites]

Well - Churchill was half American / sounds like that's where he was drawing from?

[@ealingwest5750]

@@islandnites I reckon that if he had heeded he Yank voices in his head old Winston would have been anti Joe from the get-go, to use that quaint American terminology and allowed the Polish warriors to march in the parade just to annoy that jumped up five foot five inch bloodthirsty Georgian peasant. PS Churchill towered over him by a full inch, I wonder if there was a competition with the built up shoes

[@deabajo]

I wonder what would have been Stalin's motive, when there was a whole Polish army fighting on the Eastern front from 1943...

[@BluegillGreg]

The Polish ground crews deserve a lot of credit too. They adjusted the toe-in of the .30 cal machine guns so that their fire converged at about 170 to 200 yards, much closer than had been common among the Brits. The RAF pilots had been firing from ranges too distant for the .30s to be effective. The Poles knew that close range gunnery was needed with those light bullets. The British pilots and crews followed suit, at these closer ranges the .30s became deadly.

[@alexandrvolf]

"I'm Czech and very proud of two members of my family who served in the RAF during the war. Thank you for mentioning Josef František in your story-a Czech national from my home region of Moravia who flew with 303 Squadron, scoring 17 kills in just three weeks during the Battle of Britain. He is rarely mentioned in 303 Squadron's history, yet he was an incredible 'wild west' character whose story deserves to be told more.

[@djtaylorutube]

Portrayed in the film "Hurricane". 303 squadron became the most successful RAF squadron yet at the end of the war, a poll taken in the UK wanted their repatriation. When they returned home, they didn't meet a good fate. Britain never fails to disappoint.

[@tomaszmrozek176]

Thank you very much for making this video, honouring memory of those brave heros. Im Polish and huge fan of aviation in all kinds of form. The first book i red about pilots in ww2 was 303 squadron by Arkady Fiedler. Thank you again. Regards Tom

[@Korvintage64]

Unfortunately the Polish pilots were treated terribly at the end of the war, being forced to take menial jobs or deported back to Soviet held Poland. It's astonishing that as Country we treat those foreign nationals who fought so bravely at our side so badly, eg the Gurkhas.

[@mazsroy9]

I have such pride for the Polish people as I am both Polish and Ukrainian. Thank you for this information on the brave Polish pilots who sacrificed their lives.

[@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684]

Absolutely, but also remember to thank the 460,000 British citizens who sacrified their lives to fight on alone against nazism at a time when NO-ONE else in the world cared to lift a finger.

[@jeffslade1892]

Not entirely correct, the polish pilots were well regarded by the RAF from the outset as they were all well trained and capable, but they were converting from what the RAF considered trainer aircraft to cutting-edge fighters. The language barrier did not help the conversion process. The poles thoroughly hated the germans. Do not forget it was the treaty with Poland that drew Britain into the war.

[@samrodian919]

My father was in the RAF medical services during the war,( he was a trained nurse) I remember as a child going to a churchyard somewhere in the south of England on the way home from holiday in Devon where Polish pilots were buried, my dad said "These men were the bravest of the Brave"

[@Graybaggins]

Gotta be one of your best. A great story, an amazing story given the numbers, very well told. Well done!

[@crataeguscrusgalli]

The condescension towards the Poles was indefensible: the Polish pilots went to great lengths to help the British. Even today, the Poles, the Hungarians and the Ukrainians are the only Europeans with the fortitude to stand against hostile invaders.

[@kensummers7757]

Er, the Hungarians and the Ukrainians were on the German’s side, mate…..

[@dishusse]

@@kensummers7757 Millions of Ukrainians died fighting the German nazis. Quite a few also died fighting the Russian communists. Don't forget that Germany and Russia started WW II (in Europe) together and divvied up Europe.

[@YoniBaruch-y3m]

No love for Finns, Serbs, Armenians, Estonians… 😢

[@occamraiser]

you wish that statement was true - BUT those nations you laud HAD ALL BEEN BEATEN - of course it was reasonable to have doubts about their abilities. The Hungarians stand against invaders??????? They certainly aren't standing against Putin who they seem to worshiip!

[@bigglesbiggles1]

Hungarians? Interesting choice to add considering the attitude of their President.

[@rafalganowicz1939]

I'm third gen Pole. Thanks for the video.

[@occamraiser]

No you aren't. Not unless you were born in in Poland in which case you'd be 100th generation Polish. People born in America ARE AMERICAN. Personally I wouldn't want to be American but if I was born and raise there I WOULD BE American. (ditto any other country you happen to have been born in)

[@rafalganowicz1939]

@@occamraiser True, but I have been and will continue to very proud to be Polish!!

[@Robert_Kawalec]

Great Summary of Polish Plots effort during the WW2. Thank you for that from the bottom of my heard. Best wishes.

[@AdmV0rl0n]

Britain went to war because Poland was invaded. Britain almost went to the wall in the fight for freedom. The magnificent free people of Europe, Poles for sure, but others came to this Island as a beacon of Freedom - and were more than prepared to kill the enemies of not only the Island, but the enemies of Freedom. At the end of WW2, Britain was one of the most in debt nations on earth, and her people were on rations until 54. It was not right, it was not fair that Poland was for decades after this war left imprisoned behind the iron curtain. Our failure here, however we might make arguments around it, how it happened, was one that burns the soul. Britain takes a lot of heat for this, but by 45, Britain was the smaller partner in alliances - and what took place remains a blot on the Free world. On a technical point, Many of the Poles came from a background of good training and this placed them ahead of many home flyers who often came in with limited flight hours. And thats before any motivation towards enemies who had a boot on the throat of their homelands. Obyśmy zawsze pamiętali o naszym długu wobec dzielnego, wolnego Polaka, który walczył po stronie aliantów. Nigdy nie da się tego spłacić, ale zawsze można o tym pamiętać. Kéž si někdy připomeneme svůj dluh vůči statečným svobodným Čechům, kteří bojovali na straně spojenců. Nikdy to nelze splatit, ale vždy si to zapamatovat.

[@occamraiser]

Britain has nothing to apologise for and much to be thanked by Poland for..... which I have never seen any sign of in my 60 years waiting. Even the Soviet Union occasionally recognised the Arctic Convoys. Whereas Poland barely recognises that the entire British Empire leaped to Poland's defence by threatening to and then actually declaring war on Germany. You are welcome Poland!!!

[@dariusz2303]

​@@occamraiserits rubbish ,you are lacking of historical knowlege. Go Discovery more about this topic

[@AdmV0rl0n]

@@occamraiser I've read the history and worked in the details. There is much sorrow there, and plenty that Britain got wrong. However, its often painted that Britain could somehow stop the Soviets from putting Poland behind the wall. Sending back all the brave Poles is a black mark in our history.

[@Euroscot9155]

Britain did write off much of the outstanding debt owed to it by Poland, also lot of money, we also housed 250k Poles after the war, no mean feat when the country was already on its knees after 2 world wars!.

[@ipodman1910]

@AdamV0rl0n thank you! Any person well read in history knows it was impossible for UK to really help Poland in 1939. But indeed - sending the soldiers into commies prisons and ‘courts’ was possible to be avoided, also taking better care for these servicemen (specially the top brass) was possible and its Soviet infiltration and British ignorance that is responsible for it.

[@davefrench3608]

And many of them stayed. The essential contribution made by these brave, committed and skilful men cannot be understated.

[@306champion]

The post war treatment of the Polish Pilots is and always will be unforgivable.

[@Ian-po6gg]

I served with Master Pilot George Lapka, an ex WW2 Polish pilot, in 1973. He was then an Air Traffic Controller at RAF Bicester, Oxon, He was a great chap!

[@jamesmneenan]

Dziękuję bardzo to our Polish friends and heroes

[@yureksurfer]

Respect to U ! from Poland..

[@hammyh1165]

I have the upmost respect for the Poles and Czechs , locally we had the polish army and Naval forces. One of the buildings at my work was one of the Polish headquarters and there are still memorials in the grounds , they are also still visited by Polish families today.

[@gavinjohn]

The Polish are an amazing nation. They are made of the right stuff.

[@tonybrook7768]

And my Polish nextdoor neighbour wonders why I treat him and his family with such respect, and why two young Polish chaps wondered why we bought their beers at a local pub. Just a very late thank you.

[@Tuaguelitatambien]

Please correct me if I’m mistaken: Charles Bronson’s character in “The Great Escape” was a Polish pilot. My respect to these pilots.

[@robertberger8642]

The Great Escape was loosely based on a true story. Google it and see.

[@eddhardy1054]

But it was (very loosely) based on real events...

[@Tuaguelitatambien]

🙀🤦🏽‍♂️

[@eddhardy1054]

@@newprimitiveart I take it from your reply to my reply that 1)- you don't understand what 'loosely' means. & 2)- you don't think having personnel involved from the UK plus Canada, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Poland, Norway, Greece, Czechoslovakia, Lithuania, Belgium, France & Argentina makes something international

[@eddhardy1054]

@@newprimitiveart If the camp was just for British RAF personnel where did the other nationalities I mentioned who were murdered by the SS between the 29th March and 12th April 1944 come from?

[@ariebroek2404]

In WW2, Polish service men fought brave and with valour. This is well documented in Dutch war historic studies. And today they take a more than brave stance against Putin. They are a string voice in Europe that woke up many government leaders. Salute from Holland to a great nation🙏

[@natehess7663]

Never heard this storyB4. Well Done Sir!1👏

[@jige1225]

Not even seen the movie "Battle of Britain" ?

[@williamhoffer9277]

Great presentation! It's important that history, such as this, is never forgotten!

[@Calvin-br4nk]

I am blessed with $95k every 12 weeks!!! Now I can buy anything and also support God's work and the church. God bless Monica Singer❤️❤️

[@Calvin-br4nk]

A big thank you to Monica Singer. She is a popular licensed fund manager and stockbroker. Her top-notch guidance and expertise in digital marketing has been a game-changer for me.

[@NorimarSalmeron]

This is a definition of God’s endless provisions for His church. God remains faithful to His words. I welcome this into my home. Amen

[@Calvin-br4nk]

Yes, it does. Monica Singer emphasizes the importance of risk management.

[@Calvin-br4nk]

And to think that I started with the sum of $11,500 remains a miracle

[@Calvin-br4nk]

Te Le Gram🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@berniecolley5524]

I was born in 1955 , ten years after the war ended and grew up with many Polish and Ukrainian children who's parents fled Eastern Europe . One was Stanislaw who's surname I cannot recall , and his older brother Kristoff ,who told me he remembered being bundled into a car and driven through the night over the border from Poland to escape the Russians , and how scared everyone was . I have much respect for both peoples for their bravery and courage in standing up to tyranny .

[@wkdmrtease8141]

The yalta agreement with stalin was a bloody disgrace God bless All those Polish and Czech Airmen Soldiers and Sailors that fought their way to England to carry on the fight!

[@icewaterslim7260]

Yalta wasn't Churchill's doing. It was the US that had another war to fight in the Pacific and needed to wrap this up for Logistical needs. Churchill opposed the decisions at Yalta and shouldn't be blamed for those.

[@fizzyridertoo]

I served in the RAF during the 80s and the Polish pilots were still talked about then and held in very high regard.

[@donxz2555]

The Polish and other foreign pilots were treated badly at the end of the war, the UK wanted to send them back to Soviet occupied territory Same with those serving in the Army, the failure to pay pensions to the Polish Generals who luckily had the Polish community in the UK. Apparently the now Ex-Polish soldiers did most of the de-mining of the UK coastline. My late uncle was a RAF Hurricane pilot who had nothing but praise for the guys of 303 and 304 squadrons

[@adamsteele6148]

Most of them had to take degrading jobs in the UK

[@deabajo]

Well, I don't know about Poles, but whatever memoirs I read of Czech pilots, they wanted to go back to their country and most of them flew back with their squadrons to Czechoslovakia. By the time of the end of war there was nothing known about how it would be in the future... I met in 1996 one of them with his English wife on the ferry to Ramsgate on their first visit of her hometown after 50 years. Sne had a problem to understand what she was calling "cockney English" after "not speaking English for 50 years"and I was helping them in Victoria station to find the coach to Newcasttle :). Bless them both.

[@robertfindlay2325]

Ah well; my dad never got a pension from the British Army either. He was demobbed in 1946. He was English and volunteered to sign up despite being eligible for deferrment of service as a student. Unlike any Generals, he was not a career soldier.

[@YTMegiddo]

I had no idea about these men… thank you again!

[@shirleydrury5565]

The Polish pilots ❤Were very much respected ❤ Thank you my friends ❤ GOD BLESS YOU ALL. ❤❤❤

[@sooky2253]

But these heroic young men had the most remarkable, aerodynamic machines to play with! The combination was unbeatable. My father flew hurricanes and spitfires and i clearly recall the sound of their engines as they returned overhead to base. Respect to the Polish airmen.

[@gnosticbrian3980]

Josef František was a Czech pilot and his fist confirmed Battle of Britain victory was a Messerschmitt Bf 109E fighter on 2 September 1940.

[@markmaher4548]

There's a bit in the film "Battle of Britain", that refers to Polish pilots, RAF "Do not engage", Polish pilot "Repeat please!" as they're diving in to take on enemy aircraft.

[@jacobpunke1269]

The Swedish band Sabaton has a song called Aces in Exile about the displaced fighter pilots who fought for the British.

[@tomroise9426]

Most impressive story. Love to hear of others. Thank one an all who served.❤️

[@philipoconnor4263]

Their service, bravery and decency was quite something to admire.

[@josephpacchetti5997]

Excellent Video👍🇮🇹🇺🇸

[@marksheridan4421]

A debt of honour is owed by me and every other Brit to our own countrymen and equally to those of every nation who fought in the Battle of Britain and every other theatre of war.. Thanks

[@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684]

Britain MORE than repaid any perceived "debt of honour" to Poland on at least THREE counts. 1. Being one of only TWO nations on the entire planet (the other being France) that opposed the conquest of Poland from the outset, when NO-ONE else in the world cared if Poland lived or died. Without the UK ALONE Poland (as well as the other conquered nations of the European continent) today would only exist as small footnotes in modern day history books. 2. After the US & USSR divided up Europe postwar for their OWN benefit the UK was again the FIRST nation to grant FULL national citizenship and residency rights to the unfortuante Poles who were left homeless by the post war superpower's treacherous deal. 3. The UK taxpayer in total financed the Polish part of the war effort against nazi Germany to the tune of over £150 million (£5.3 BILLION in 2024), at war's end the UK government wrote off 91.6% of the Polish debt to the UK taxpayer by accepting just £13 million repaid over 22 years by the postwar Polish govt, thereby incurring a loss of nearly £140 million (£4.8 BILLION in 2024) to the UK taxpayer. And yet we STILL have communist brainwashed modern day Poles and evil, insidious lefties insulting the the UK and it's citizens to this day.

[@amanullahkariapper2503]

After the war, a distinguished Polish pilot and aeronautical engineer helped to set up another PAF, the Pakistan Air Force, as well as the country's strategic missle program.

[@Robin-qj2hb]

I'm from east Texas and thank you for that ballsy

[@Leavon]

Terrible the way they were treated after the war, we worked with a Polish unit when my Cav Sq was in the Balkans they were a good bunch.

[@edwardcnnell2853]

The Polish, like the pilots from other countries conquered by Germany wore RAF uniforms. All but the Polish wore RAF insignia and the Poles wore the insignia of the Polish air force due to a legal difference. While Poland was overrun it did not surrender and operated it's government in exile. Poland had a fierce underground army, an underground court system which held trials, and executions, of collaborators. The Poles got treatment different from the fliers from other countries because of that legal difference.

[@Euroscot9155]

They weren't mistreated exactly, there was much instability with the start of the cold war, they were mainly unlucky that their nation ended up on the wrong side of the iron curtain, dont forget, Polish Communists played a huge part in that also.

[@elizabethfiano5962]

As usual Britain has a lot to be thankful and grateful for. Why can't they see people as they should and not how they think they should. We as a nation should be ashamed. So thank you to ALL the men English, Polish and American and anyone else who faught with alongside of and FOR Gt Britain.

[@datcheesecakeboi6745]

see this is the issue, poles barely did anything for britian, 303 being the only one that did well, canadians, australians, indians, nepelese, new zealanders, africans all did much more then poland ever did for britian

[@watchman4todayreloaded192]

As a Brit I want to say thank you to the Poles and Czechs who helped keep the Nazis at bay until the government started letting the followers of the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and those of Karl Marx take control of all propaganda media, including teaching, and now politics, brought the same shadows of tyranny to the streets of Britain. Still Poland and Czechia are showing Europe how to keep their people safe.

[@Badger21288]

1 The RAF is not a flying circus 2 Strict RT procedure is to be observed at all times and never I repeat never to be used. For private Polish…..chit chat Finally, and god alone knows why; this squadron is officially operational. I don’t normally feel a lot of shame when it comes to my countries history. Some of it was good and some of it was bad. Not a lot I can do about it either way. However, when it comes to how we treat the poles post war, I hang my head in shame. It should never have happened, especially given what we knew Stalin was likely to do to them. I’ll be forever grateful to the poles and view their military personnel past and present with deep admiration and respect.

[@ronaldbrouhard1247]

There was one Mike Gladych, who transitioned over to the 56th F. G. @ was mentioned in R. S. Johnson book, "Tunderbolt!" (with Martin Cadin. The man had quite the story.

[@--cs3]

Yep, there were a number of poles who flew with the 56th FG. This was thanks to the efforts of Francis Gabreski, a Polish-American fighter pilot who commanded the 56th FG's 61st Fighter Squadron. BTW, Gabreski would go on to be the USA's Ace of Aces in the ETO. Later, he become a jet ace in Korea.

[@MichaelSisley-fw3xr]

This is forgotten history, for the most part. I had little information on the Poles flying for Brittain until I was working on my Masters in History. It is a story that should be told.

[@datcheesecakeboi6745]

its not forgotten history, battle of britian is a niche subject that not many know about, if you know about it you know about 303

[@MichaelSisley-fw3xr]

@@datcheesecakeboi6745 Forgotten by public education.

[@datcheesecakeboi6745]

@@MichaelSisley-fw3xr the 303 squadron was the exception not the standard.

[@malcolmwaddilove1822]

Lest we forget the Polish pilots❤

[@julesk6313]

What brave people. We owe them so much.

[@womble321]

The Battle of Britain film gives a wonderful tribute to the poles. "Repeat please!". It was anti European racism pure and simple.

[@mikeycraig8970]

You what?

[@Reinhardt-sq5zn]

@@mikeycraig8970 ... ‘Death spoke Polish’, or the Polish massacres of Germans in the corridor long before Hitler !!!!

[@MattWhiteMattWPBS]

​@@newprimitiveartnah, you need to watch the film. The British squadron leader gives a very, slow, instruction, to, the, Poles to not engage the attacking German aircraft. There's a beautiful head on shot of his cockpit, with the radio going "repeat please", and him starting to go over it again as you see the Polish planes peeling off to attack the Germans one by one behind him. It's deliberate "oh, I'm sorry, I didn't understand you".

[@georgebarnes8163]

The UK is part of Europe so how is that anti European racism?

[@HermannCortez]

"STOP THAT POLISH CHATTER!"

[@SH1559801]

these men are true men in every sense of the word....

[@CanadianSmoke]

0:46 That looks like a Short Stirling.

[@narabdela]

No such plane. It does look a lot like a Short Stirling though.

[@skipperclinton1087]

​@@narabdela: Nope, it's not "short" enough!

[@moonbear1st]

in my teens i met many polish ex soldiers and airmen at the polish clubs around my town, hearing of their exploits 1st hand was great and we felt privelidged to have met and know them..

[@Freesavh1776]

Thise are some very impressive numbers. Imagine what they could have done with Spitfires over England?

[@peterking8586]

When I was in the British Army Of the Rhine in the ‘70s & ‘80s most of our tank transporter drivers were Polish. Nicknamed MOJOs, and formed the MSO (Mixed Service Organization), they were well liked and respected by the British Tank Crews, whose tanks they transported.

[@av8tore71]

Spoczywaj w pokoju BOHATERZE, nigdy Cię nie zapomnimy

[@robertsnary472]

This featured in the film Battle of Britain, also for the film the Dambusters one of the pilots flying the Lancaster in the film was a Polish WW2 veteran

[@markbroad119]

Now is it a coincidence that the Polish 303 squadron was using 303 British ammo?

[@Rotorhead1651]

Um........yeah, duh.

[@peterpearson1675]

My mum had a Polish fighter pilot boyfriend long before she met my dad,He was unfortunately killed in action,but what Mum told us confirmed clearly what this video shows.

[@UsuallyTrolling]

You would think 303 squadron won the Battle of Britain all by themselves with the amount of videos about them on KZbin.

[@SmD-ff5xd]

Shhh don't bring up reality brother. It offends them.

[@lawrencemcginley9937]

We had a Polish pilot living near us he was an incredibly private man but also very proud.