Kowalski, Jan

Date of birth:: November 19th, 1916 (Mircze)
Date of death:: May 15th, 2000 (Nottingham, United Kingdom)
Nationality:: Polish (1918-1939, IInd Republic)

Biography

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Krzyz Walecznych

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Unit:: No. 315 (Deblin) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: February 1st, 1941

Krzyz Walecznych

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Unit:: No. 315 (Deblin) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: February 19th, 1942

Krzyz Walecznych

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Unit:: No. 316 (Warsaw) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: December 20th, 1943

Order Wojenny Virtuti Militari - Krzyz Srebrny

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Unit:: No. 317 (Wilno) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: June 1st, 1945

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Flight Lieutenant
Unit:: No. 317 (Wilno) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: April 10th, 1946

“During the Battle of Britain on the 26.9.40. enemy bombers escorted by fighters raided Southampton. F/L. Kowalski attacked the fighter cover and shot down one M.E.109.
On the 27.9.40. F/L. Kowalski attacked a strong formation of enemy bombers in the vicinity of Gatwick. He kept attacking the formation until he exhausted his ammunition. As a result of this attack he damaged a H.E. 111., putting one of its engines out of action.
From 14.3.-15.6.43. F/L. Kowalski flew with the Polish Fighter Team during the campaigning in North Africa. He carried out 38 Operational Sorties on Bomber Escorts and Ground Strafing.
On the 17.9.44. F/L. Kowalski led a flight on an Armed Recce. In the vicinity of BERNAY. The flight was attacked by 8 F.W. 190’s. During the ensuing dog fights 5 F.W. 190’s were damaged without any losses being sustained by the flight.
On the 26.9.44. F/L. Kowalski led a Section of Four Aircraft on an armed Recce, in the vicinity of BREDA, a group of enemy transport was observed. In spite of intense flak which was encountered after the first attack, F/L. Kowalski continued to attack the column, diving at it several times. Four enemy MET. Were left burning and Two damaged.
On the 1st January 1945, 317 Squadron returned from an operational sortie, Enemy Aircraft were attacking B.60 the Wings home base. In spite of the fact that his cannons had jammed F/L. Kowalski attacked several F.W. 190’s trying to chase them off.
F/L. Kowalski has taken part in 211 sorties of all descriptions."
Awarded the D.F.C.