Need Photos of Polish Airforce in Exile.

[Csaba B. Stenge]

Franek,

I really understand your pain, but I'm sure, that your Skalski book will be something really nice without these extra photos as well (btw if you can check my Hungarian aces book, you will see, that in Hungary, the problem is not to finding photos about particular aces' planes, because it is impossible, the main problem is, that simply the markings of their planes are not known exactly or even finding a simple portrait of a pilot is extremely difficult...).

[Franek Grabowski]

If there will be any book. Well, there is a problem for Hungary but also for Soviet aviation, where we sometimes have a better photo coverage for a particular aircraft rather than they have for entire Avyapolk. This was of course both due to secrecy and the first of all, lack of cameras and films. I can see no reason for Hungarians though. The aviation was neither extremelly big nor in the country devoid of film and cameras.

[Csaba B. Stenge]

Franek,

Hungary fought till the end on Germany's side, but the entire country was invaded by the Red Army and Hungary became a Soviet satellite for decades. Not a bit different situation, that the Polish. 99,5% of the Air Force's official documents went missing still during the war (or were destroyed in the last phase by the AF members, who obeyed to the last orders). The members of the former AF were 'enemies' for the new regime: the most succesful ace spent 7 years in a communist prison, the second most succesful was executed(!), the others spent many years in prisons, were harassed by the secret police for long time, were humiliated for decades and most of their remained materials were confiscated by the secret police (for example in my town, an ex Fw 189 pilot could save his photo album with a specials form: it was hidden under a muck-heap...)

[Franek Grabowski]

Well, Skalski had a death penalty and spend 8 years in prison, supposedly being on the Allied side. There was indeed some damage done by the communists, but plenty of people kept their albums, documents or memorabilia. That is why I am surprised. Have you approached secret police/military counterintelligence records for this stuff? Still, I find it hard to believe so much could have vanished without any trace.

[GregFK]

Hi Guys,

Again thanks fpr any and all help provided. I will attach a photo of the type I'm looking for. This one is of someone in the 318th Squadron in Italy. Not exactly what I'm after with respect to location (I'm looking for the PAF in England) but it illustrates the type of insignia I'm looking for. Notice the ribbon bar and the collar insignia.

Again thanks to those that have already helped.

Cheers,
Greg

[Csaba B. Stenge]

Originally Posted by Franek Grabowski

Have you approached secret police/military counterintelligence records for this stuff? Still, I find it hard to believe so much could have vanished without any trace.

No records, since they destroyed everything. They stored just the most valuable 'booty', for example the confiscated precious metal items (to melt them and sell them as golden and silver bars...)

[Franek Grabowski]

Still, I believe you have not searched hard enough.

[Csaba B. Stenge]

Originally Posted by Franek Grabowski

Still, I believe you have not searched hard enough.

You don't know, what you are talking about

[edwest]

Perhaps this will help:


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




Ed

[shooshoobaby]

Greg -
There are 15 photos of Polish Pilots in Uniform and Flight Gear.
Book: Squadron 303 by Arkady Fiedler
Published 8/42- Peter Davies Ltd.
The Windmill Press , England
Mike