Poland was the first country to fight against Germany during World War II. In September 1939 its air force fought courageously in mostly obsolete aircraft to defend the Homeland. When the Soviet Union stabbed Poland in the back and invaded from the East, the Polish High Command ordered its airmen to escape abroad. They fought during the Battle of France, and then beside the RAF for the remainder of the war. During the Battle of Britain they shot down 203 enemy aircraft, and established a reputation for skill and ferocity. Pilots and airmen of the 15 squadrons of the Polish Air Force in the West and two air regiments on the Eastern Front fought heroically to avenge their enslaved countrymen. Their fight found them in the skies of Europe, North Africa, and even the Far East.

Stanislaw Skalski -
The top Polish fighter Ace with 22 victories.
Witold Urbanowicz -
The commander of the famous Polish No. 303 Kosciuszko Squadron with shot down more Luftwaffe aircraft than any other squadron during the Battle of Britain.
Francis "Gabby" Gabreski -
The top scoring USAAF pilot began his combat career flying operationally in a Polish squadron after learning of the magnificent performance of Polish Pilots during the Battle of Britain.