Were 303 squadron flights named after cities?

[keith A]

303 Squadron is known as the Kosciuszko squadron but some sources call it the Warsaw squadron. Somewhere in my memory is that Polish squadrons gave city/province names to A and B flights. Is this correct? I know the French squadrons in the RAF followed this procedure although this was slightly more formal with Groupes de Chasse. RAF/Polish Wings were much larger.

K

[Buckeye30]

Hi Keith. 303's official name was "Warsaw-Kosciusco" and 316's was "Warsaw" ("Warszawski"); Polish fighter squadrons were named after cities or regions apart from 303 so probably why the city was added to the famous general.


Regards
Nick

[keith A]

Cheers Nick.

[Buckeye30]

Keith a quick note, the 2 "Flights" you mentioned may be the 2 pre-war units which formed 303 Sqn. (111 Esk. Kosciuszko and 112, at Warsaw). 303 retained 111's insignia with the stars and stripes. 316 was re-formed from 113 and 114 Esk. at Warsaw, adopting 113's "Owl" on Spitfires and Mustangs. Hence both squadrons were dedicated "Warsaw" within the RAF.


Nick

[keith A]

Thanks again chum.