Memorial pilots
POLISH PILOTS IN THE RAF – FRANCISZEK KORNICKI AS AN EXAMPLE
After the invasion of Poland by the Nazis and the Russians in 1939, Franciszek Kornicki, like many thousands of other members of the Polish Air Force, was ordered to evacuate to western Europe and continue the fight from there as best he could. At the beginning of the Battle of Britain in July 1940, some 6,500 airmen had reached Great Britain, 146 pilots among them taking part in the Battle. Many of them had taken the same route as Franciszek, through Romania to France, then crossing the Channel.
During his stay in France, he was sent with other pilots to the air base at Lyon-Bron where he was trained on the fighters Blériot-SPAD S.510, Caudron C.714 and finally Morane-Saulnier MS.406. He completed his training just before the capitulation of France. After the fall of France, he made his way to Saint-Jean-de-Luz where, on the 24th of June 1940, he embarked on the SS Arandora Star for Liverpool.
Franciszek began his stay in the United Kingdom with intensive language classes in English. In September 1940, he joined 307 Polish fighter squadron, equipped with the Boulton Paul Defiant. On the 11th of October he was posted to 303 Polish fighter squadron where he was converted to the Hurricane. In January 1941 he was posted to 315 Polish fighter squadron which had just been formed. In July 1941 315 Sqn move to RAF Northolt where it was re-equipped with the Spitfire Mk II and became part of the 1st Polish Fighter Wing. On 23rd July Franciszek had his first combat mission over France.
On 12th February 1943, he took over command of 308 Polish fighter squadron, becoming the youngest squadron commander in the Polish Air Force, and the first to hold such a post from his 12th Promotion at the Polish Air Force College, Dęblin. Shortly afterwards, appendicitis caused him to leave the post. On 7th May 1943 he returned to duty as commander of 317 Polish fighter squadron, staying at its head until December 1943. On the 1st of January 1944 he became liaison officer at 11 Group, Fighter Command, then at 9 Group.
On 15th May 1944 Franciszek began six months training at the Polish Air Force Staff College, Weston-super-Mare. On completion of the course, he had staff posts with the 84th Group of the 2nd Tactical Air Force until the end of the war.
The Polish air force which used the B10
Further information on the monument
Why a memorial to Polish pilots at Plumetot