audiobook Panzerwrecks 20: Ostfront 3 by Lee Archer; Kamen Nevenkin in History

Description

Polish airmen came to Britain in 1939 and 1940 with a burning anger; which could only be assuaged through the avenging of the injustices visited upon their people and homeland by the Nazi regime. Unlike the British; who only anticipated invasion; the people of Poland had experienced it in all its hateful forms; and its people continued to suffer under the merciless yoke of tyranny. What the Poles asked for was simple; to be given the means to hit back; and from the moment this was provided; they launched themselves at every opportunity with a fanatical; yet measured; determination; never doubting the eventual outcome; or their ability to help bring it about. It was a case of small beginnings; four squadrons formed in the north Warwickshire countryside during the summer of 1940; equipped with outdated; ill-equipped Fairey Battles; a type effectively knocked out of the Battle of France with catastrophic casualties in less than a week’s fighting. The first tentative operational steps were carried out in these aircraft against invasion ports on the enemy coast; but; in truth; the crews would happily have flown them to Berlin if they had possessed the range. The arrival of the Wellington towards the end of 1940 provided a greater punch; and for the next three years 300 Squadron carried on with this trusty type; as a front-line bomber unit in 1 Group; and then predominantly on mining duties as the Wellington approached the end of its operational life. The desire to operate against the enemy was a constant characteristic of Polish aircrew; and; unlike their counterparts in other squadrons; they rarely jettisoned their bombs if in trouble; but strove always to bring them home to use next time. The dwindling supply of Poles led to the disbandment of one Polish squadron; while another was posted to Coastal Command; and; eventually one to the 2nd Tactical Air Force. This left 300 Squadron to fly the flag for Poland in Bomber Command; but; to continue to do so required difficult decisions. As the rest of the Command converted to four-engine aircraft; the commander-in-chief of the Polish air forces could have agreed to 300 Squadron becoming a Halifax unit in 4 Group; but he recognised the type’s vulnerability to the enemy’s defences; and the need to husband his national resources. The squadron would continue to operate the Wellington; with no guarantee that Lancasters would ever be made available. Patience was rewarded with conversion to the Lancaster in 1944; but even then; it became necessary to add a British Flight to supplement manpower until the flow of Polish airmen increased again. The passion; commitment to the cause; raw courage and press-on spirit of the airmen who served with 300 Squadron may occasionally have been equalled; but never surpassed; and their deeds will live on as part of the glorious history of RAF Bomber Command.