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== History ==
== History ==


The unit was created on [[May 19]], [[1921]] out of two previously-existing units, the [[Polish 7th Air Escadrille]] and the [[Polish 18th Air Escadrille]] of the 1st Air Regiment. Initially it was manned mostly by the American veterans of the earlier unit, including [[Cedric Fauntleroy]]. However, soon afterwards most of the American pilots returned home and the unit was manned with Polish officers. Nonetheless, it retained the roundel and the traditions of the Polish-American unit. In [[1934]] the unit was the first to receive the then-modern [[PZL P.11c]] fighters<ref name="letectvi.wz.cz">{{cz icon}} {{cite web | author=Pavel Soukup | title =PZL P11 | publisher=Letectvi.wz.cz | year=2005 | work=Letectvi.wz.cz website | url= http://letectvi.wz.cz/polsko/p11/ | accessdate=2006-04-14 }}</ref>. In [[1936]] the escadrille was stationed in [[Sarny]] and was providing air cover for a construction of border fortifications at the frontier with the [[Soviet Union]]. During one of the sorties Lt. [[Witold Urbanowicz]], later to become one of the fighter aces of World War II, downed a Soviet [[Polikarpov R-5]] biplane reconnaissance aircraft flying a recconaissance mission over the area<ref name="Polska Witryna Modelarska">{{pl icon}} {{cite web | author=Artur Gołębiewski | title=Witold Urbanowicz | publisher= | year= | work=Polska Witryna Modelarska | url= http://www.old.modelarstwo.org.pl/lotnicze/dokumentacja/piloci/urbanowicz/index.html | accessdate=2006-04-14 }}</ref>.
The unit was created on [[May 19]], [[1921]] out of two previously-existing units, the [[Polish 7th Air Escadrille]] and the [[Polish 18th Air Escadrille]] of the 1st Air Regiment. Initially it was manned mostly by the American veterans of the earlier unit, including [[Cedric Fauntleroy]]. However, soon afterwards most of the American pilots returned home and the unit was manned with Polish officers. Nonetheless, it retained the roundel and the traditions of the Polish-American unit. In [[1934]] the unit was the first to receive the then-modern [[PZL P.11c]] fighters<ref name="letectvi.wz.cz">{{cz icon}} {{cite web | author=Pavel Soukup | title =PZL P11 | publisher=Letectvi.wz.cz | year=2005 | work=Letectvi.wz.cz website | url= http://letectvi.wz.cz/polsko/p11/ | accessdate=2006-04-14 }}</ref>. In [[1936]] the escadrille was stationed in [[Sarny]] and was providing air cover for a construction of border fortifications at the frontier with the [[Soviet Union]]. During one of the sorties Lt. [[Witold Urbanowicz]], later to become one of the fighter aces of World War II, downed a Soviet [[Polikarpov|Polikarpov R-5]] biplane reconnaissance aircraft flying a recconaissance mission over the area<ref name="Polska Witryna Modelarska">{{pl icon}} {{cite web | author=Artur Gołębiewski | title=Witold Urbanowicz | publisher= | year= | work=Polska Witryna Modelarska | url= http://www.old.modelarstwo.org.pl/lotnicze/dokumentacja/piloci/urbanowicz/index.html | accessdate=2006-04-14 }}</ref>.


[[Image:PZL P.11c.jpg|thumb|300px|right|[[PZL P.11c]] was the plane used by the Polish 111th Fighter Escadrille in the 1930s.]]
[[Image:PZL P.11c.jpg|thumb|300px|right|[[PZL P.11c]] was the plane used by the Polish 111th Fighter Escadrille in the 1930s.]]
In [[1939]] it was attached to the [[Brygada Pościgowa|Pursuit Brigade]]<ref name="letectvi.wz.cz"/>, a large fighter unit held in reserve of the [[Marshal of Poland |Commander in Chief]]. As part of the [[Polish 3rd Squadron of the 1st Air Regiment]] ({{lang-pl|III/1 dywizjon myśliwski}}) under [[Zdzisław Krasnodębski]], the unit was stationed in the airfield at [[Zielonka]] and provided air cover for the nearby city of [[Warsaw]]. During the [[Polish September Campaign]] the first sortie — and the first success of the escadrille — took place on September 1, at 4 in the morning, that is roughly an hour before the fights for [[Westerplatte]] started, an event which is usually taken as the starting point of [[World War II]]. The escadrille was scrambled into the air to intercept a large formation of enemy bombers escorted by [[Messerschmitt Me110]] heavy fighters. Over the area of [[Bugo-Narew]] the enemy formation was intercepted and forced to retreat, dropping their bombs on uninhabited areas. Lt. Palusiński downed one enemy [[Dornier Do17]] and probably damaged another plane of that type<ref name="Użycie">{{pl icon}} {{cite book | author =Izabela Wieczorek | coauthors = | title =Użycie lotnictwa we wrześniu 1939 r. | year = | editor = | pages = | chapter = | chapterurl = | publisher =www.ogniskowiec.znp.edu.pl | location = | id = | url =http://www.ogniskowiec.znp.edu.pl/publikacje/szkolysrednie/uzycielotnictwawewrzesniu.htm | format = | accessdate =2006-04-14 }}</ref>. Palusiński himself was wounded by enemy fire.
In [[1939]] it was attached to the [[Brygada Pościgowa|Pursuit Brigade]]<ref name="letectvi.wz.cz"/>, a large fighter unit held in reserve of the [[Marshal of Poland |Commander in Chief]]. As part of the [[Polish 3rd Squadron of the 1st Air Regiment]] ({{lang-pl|III/1 dywizjon myśliwski}}) under [[Zdzisław Krasnodębski]], the unit was stationed at the airfield at [[Zielonka]] and provided air cover for the nearby city of [[Warsaw]]. During the [[Polish September Campaign]] the first sortie — and the first success of the escadrille — took place on September 1, at 4 in the morning, that is roughly an hour before the fights for [[Westerplatte]] started, an event which is usually taken as the starting point of [[World War II]]. The escadrille was scrambled to intercept a large formation of enemy bombers escorted by [[Messerschmitt Me110]] heavy fighters. Over the area of [[Bugo-Narew]] the enemy formation was intercepted and forced to retreat, dropping their bombs on uninhabited areas. Lt. Palusiński downed one enemy [[Dornier Do17]] and probably damaged another plane of that type<ref name="Użycie">{{pl icon}} {{cite book | author =Izabela Wieczorek | coauthors = | title =Użycie lotnictwa we wrześniu 1939 r. | year = | editor = | pages = | chapter = | chapterurl = | publisher =www.ogniskowiec.znp.edu.pl | location = | id = | url =http://www.ogniskowiec.znp.edu.pl/publikacje/szkolysrednie/uzycielotnictwawewrzesniu.htm | format = | accessdate =2006-04-14 }}</ref>. Palusiński himself was wounded by enemy fire.


Later that day another bombing raid on Warsaw was intercepted, this time covered by the [[Messerschmitt Me109]] fighters. During the fights over Warsaw the escadrille's commanding officer managed to down one enemy fighter, but was then shot down and wounded. The command was taken over by his deputy, Lt. Januszewicz. The following day the escadrille did not encounter any enemy formations. On September 3 a flight from the escadrille, providing air cover for [[pułkownik|Col.]] [[Stefan Pawlikowski]] intercepted a formation of enemy Me110 fighters over [[Wyszków]]. Lt. Januszewicz and [[kapral|Corporal]] Karubin downed two enemy fighters. However, at the same time another flight lead by Ferić was dispersed and had to return to base. One of its pilots did not return to the escadrille until September 10<ref name="Użycie"/>.
Later that day another bombing raid on Warsaw was intercepted, this time covered by [[Messerschmitt Me109]] fighters. During the air battles over Warsaw the escadrille's commanding officer managed to down one enemy fighter, but was then shot down and wounded. The command was taken over by his deputy, Lt. Januszewicz. The following day the escadrille did not encounter any enemy formations. On September 3 a flight from the escadrille, providing air cover for [[pułkownik|Col.]] [[Stefan Pawlikowski]] intercepted a formation of enemy Me110 fighters over [[Wyszków]]. Lt. Januszewicz and [[kapral|Corporal]] Karubin downed two enemy fighters. However, at the same time another flight lead by Ferić was dispersed and had to return to base. One of its pilots did not return to the escadrille until September 10<ref name="Użycie"/>.


On September 4 the escadrille was transferred to the [[Zaborów]] airfield near [[Leszno]]. Its commanding officer downed a [[Junkers Ju87]] (other sources mention a [[Dornier Do17]]). The following day Strzembosz and Januszewicz scored another two victories, this time over a Me110 and [[Junkers Ju87]], respectively. On September 6 Januszewicz scored yet another Junkers Ju87. On [[September 7]] the escadrille was evacuated to eastern Poland and was stationed in the [[Kierz]] airfield near [[Lublin]]. It briefly operated from the airfield of [[Ostrożec]] near [[Łuck]], but returned to Lublin area the following day (Strzelce and Werba airfields). The last confirmed victories were over a reconnaissance [[Hs126]] on September 9 (Ferić) and Heinkel He111 on September 11 (Wróblewski)<ref name="Myśliwcy">{{pl icon}} {{cite web | author=Grzegorz Adios | title=111 Eskadra Myśliwska | publisher= | year= | work=Myśliwcy | url=http://www.psr.netfriend.org/mysliwcy/1939/111_eskadra_mysliwska.htm | accessdate=2006-04-14 }}</ref>. Altogether during the campaign the unit downed 8 enemy planes (other sources mention 7 1/2) while losing 9 of its own [[PZL P.11c]] fighters.
On September 4 the escadrille was transferred to the [[Zaborów]] airfield near [[Leszno]]. Its commanding officer downed a [[Junkers Ju87]] (other sources mention a [[Dornier Do17]]). The following day Strzembosz and Januszewicz scored another two victories, this time over a Me110 and Ju87, respectively. On September 6 Januszewicz scored yet another Ju87. On [[September 7]] the escadrille was evacuated to eastern Poland and was stationed in the [[Kierz]] airfield near [[Lublin]]. It briefly operated from the airfield of [[Ostrożec]] near [[Łuck]], but returned to Lublin area the following day (Strzelce and Werba airfields). The last confirmed victories were over a reconnaissance [[Henschel Hs 126]] on September 9 (Ferić) and [[Heinkel He 111]] on September 11 (Wróblewski)<ref name="Myśliwcy">{{pl icon}} {{cite web | author=Grzegorz Adios | title=111 Eskadra Myśliwska | publisher= | year= | work=Myśliwcy | url=http://www.psr.netfriend.org/mysliwcy/1939/111_eskadra_mysliwska.htm | accessdate=2006-04-14 }}</ref>. Altogether during the campaign the unit downed 8 enemy planes (other sources mention 7 1/2) while losing 9 of its own [[PZL P.11c]] fighters.


After the Soviet invasion of Poland on [[September 17]], the unit was evacuated to [[Romania]] together with its 4 remaining fighters. From there the majority of the pilots were able to get to France and the [[United Kingdom]], where many joined the [[Polish Air Forces]] in exile. The traditions of the escadrille, as well as its predecessor, was then continued by the [[No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron]], one of the most successful Allied fighter units of the war.
After the Soviet invasion of Poland on [[September 17]], the unit was evacuated to [[Romania]] together with its 4 remaining fighters. From there the majority of the pilots were able to get to France and the [[United Kingdom]], where many joined the [[Polish Air Forces]] in exile. The traditions of the escadrille, as well as its predecessor, was then continued by the [[No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron]], one of the most successful Allied fighter units of the war.

Revision as of 13:46, 18 April 2006

Roundel of the Polish 111th Fighter Escadrille
Kościuszko's Squadron

The 111th Fighter Escadrille of the Polish Air Force (Polish: 111. eskadra myśliwska) was one of the fighter units of the Polish Army. Created in 1921, immediately after the end of the Polish-Soviet War, the unit inherited the traditions of the famous war-time Polish 7th Air Escadrille (known as the Kościuszko Squadron), in which both Polish and American volunteers served.

History

The unit was created on May 19, 1921 out of two previously-existing units, the Polish 7th Air Escadrille and the Polish 18th Air Escadrille of the 1st Air Regiment. Initially it was manned mostly by the American veterans of the earlier unit, including Cedric Fauntleroy. However, soon afterwards most of the American pilots returned home and the unit was manned with Polish officers. Nonetheless, it retained the roundel and the traditions of the Polish-American unit. In 1934 the unit was the first to receive the then-modern PZL P.11c fighters[1]. In 1936 the escadrille was stationed in Sarny and was providing air cover for a construction of border fortifications at the frontier with the Soviet Union. During one of the sorties Lt. Witold Urbanowicz, later to become one of the fighter aces of World War II, downed a Soviet Polikarpov R-5 biplane reconnaissance aircraft flying a recconaissance mission over the area[2].

File:PZL P.11c.jpg
PZL P.11c was the plane used by the Polish 111th Fighter Escadrille in the 1930s.

In 1939 it was attached to the Pursuit Brigade[1], a large fighter unit held in reserve of the Commander in Chief. As part of the Polish 3rd Squadron of the 1st Air Regiment (Polish: III/1 dywizjon myśliwski) under Zdzisław Krasnodębski, the unit was stationed at the airfield at Zielonka and provided air cover for the nearby city of Warsaw. During the Polish September Campaign the first sortie — and the first success of the escadrille — took place on September 1, at 4 in the morning, that is roughly an hour before the fights for Westerplatte started, an event which is usually taken as the starting point of World War II. The escadrille was scrambled to intercept a large formation of enemy bombers escorted by Messerschmitt Me110 heavy fighters. Over the area of Bugo-Narew the enemy formation was intercepted and forced to retreat, dropping their bombs on uninhabited areas. Lt. Palusiński downed one enemy Dornier Do17 and probably damaged another plane of that type[3]. Palusiński himself was wounded by enemy fire.

Later that day another bombing raid on Warsaw was intercepted, this time covered by Messerschmitt Me109 fighters. During the air battles over Warsaw the escadrille's commanding officer managed to down one enemy fighter, but was then shot down and wounded. The command was taken over by his deputy, Lt. Januszewicz. The following day the escadrille did not encounter any enemy formations. On September 3 a flight from the escadrille, providing air cover for Col. Stefan Pawlikowski intercepted a formation of enemy Me110 fighters over Wyszków. Lt. Januszewicz and Corporal Karubin downed two enemy fighters. However, at the same time another flight lead by Ferić was dispersed and had to return to base. One of its pilots did not return to the escadrille until September 10[3].

On September 4 the escadrille was transferred to the Zaborów airfield near Leszno. Its commanding officer downed a Junkers Ju87 (other sources mention a Dornier Do17). The following day Strzembosz and Januszewicz scored another two victories, this time over a Me110 and Ju87, respectively. On September 6 Januszewicz scored yet another Ju87. On September 7 the escadrille was evacuated to eastern Poland and was stationed in the Kierz airfield near Lublin. It briefly operated from the airfield of Ostrożec near Łuck, but returned to Lublin area the following day (Strzelce and Werba airfields). The last confirmed victories were over a reconnaissance Henschel Hs 126 on September 9 (Ferić) and Heinkel He 111 on September 11 (Wróblewski)[4]. Altogether during the campaign the unit downed 8 enemy planes (other sources mention 7 1/2) while losing 9 of its own PZL P.11c fighters.

After the Soviet invasion of Poland on September 17, the unit was evacuated to Romania together with its 4 remaining fighters. From there the majority of the pilots were able to get to France and the United Kingdom, where many joined the Polish Air Forces in exile. The traditions of the escadrille, as well as its predecessor, was then continued by the No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron, one of the most successful Allied fighter units of the war.

Crew and equipment

On September 1, 1939 the escadrille had 9 planes, including 7 PZL P.11c and 2 PZL P.11a. Throughout the war it received an additional PZL P.11c as reinforcement. The air crew consisted of Capt. Gustaw Sidorowicz, his deputy Lieut. Wojciech Januszewicz and 16 other pilots:

  1. ppor. Mirosław Ferić
  2. ppor. Janusz Łabicki
  3. ppor. Jerzy Palusiński
  4. pchor. Władysław Drecki
  5. pchor. Zbigniew Janicki
  6. pchor. Janusz Maciński
  7. pchor. Mieczysław Rozwadowski
  8. st. sierż Jan Kołcon
  9. plut. Ignacy Lendzion
  10. kpr. Stanisław Karubin
  11. kpr. Eugeniusz Szaposznikow
  12. st. szer. Bogdan Cichocki
  13. st. szer. Henryk Szope
  14. st. szer. Stefan Wojtowicz
  15. st. szer. Kazimierz Wünsche
  16. st. szer. Kazimierz Wróblewski

Notes and references

In-line:
  1. ^ a b Template:Cz icon Pavel Soukup (2005). "PZL P11". Letectvi.wz.cz website. Letectvi.wz.cz. Retrieved 2006-04-14.
  2. ^ Template:Pl icon Artur Gołębiewski. "Witold Urbanowicz". Polska Witryna Modelarska. Retrieved 2006-04-14.
  3. ^ a b Template:Pl icon Izabela Wieczorek. Użycie lotnictwa we wrześniu 1939 r. www.ogniskowiec.znp.edu.pl. Retrieved 2006-04-14. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |chapterurl= and |coauthors= (help)
  4. ^ Template:Pl icon Grzegorz Adios. "111 Eskadra Myśliwska". Myśliwcy. Retrieved 2006-04-14.
General:
  1. Template:Pl icon Jerzy Pawlak (1989). Polskie eskadry w latach 1918-1939. Warsaw: Wydawnictwa Komunikacji i Łączności. pp. 60–69. ISBN 8320607604. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |chapterurl= and |coauthors= (help)
  2. Template:Pl icon Jerzy Pawlak (1982). Polskie eskadry w Wojnie Obronnej 1939. Warsaw: Wydawnictwa Komunikacji i Łączności. p. 280. ISBN 8320602815. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |chapterurl= and |coauthors= (help)
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