Description

Of all Allied airmen, Polish pilots had had the most experience of fighting the Luftwaffe by the time the war came to Britain. As the Battle of Britain raged, they quickly proved themselves as highly aggressive and skilful interceptors, especially when flying the famous Spitfire. The Polish Air Force eventually became the largest non-Commonwealth Spitfire operator, using some 1,500 Mks I, II, V, IX and XVI to devastating effect. Top scoring USAAF ace of the ETO, Francis "Gabby" Gabreski and a whole host of other Allied and Commonwealth aces flew with Polish squadrons, adding even more to their fighting quality. Conversely, several Polish pilots were attached to other Allied squadrons throughout the war, demonstrating their prowess alongside airmen from a whole host of nations. From an expert on Polish fighter aviation, this is a peerless account of the fiery, talented Polish "Spit" pilots, whose country had been overrun and whose aggression and determination to shoot down Axis aircraft was unmatched.

Table of Contents

Get the Spitfire /Defending Britain /Hot summer of 1941/Against the Focke-Wulfs /Dieppe landings /Mk IXs /Mediterranean adventures /Tactical air force /Get a Spitfire /Appendices

Product details

Published Jul 21 2015
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 96
ISBN 9781472808370
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 80 b/w; 36 col
Dimensions 248 x 184 mm
Series Aircraft of the Aces
Short code ACE 127
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

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