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BLOOD BROTHERS
303 Squadron’s formation can be traced to a document dated 6 July 1940, with its first appearance in any operational records at RAF Northolt on 2 August 1940. Yet its development was long in the making.
With its proximity to the German Empire, Austro-Hungarian Empire and Russian Empire, Poland had faced centuries of continuous struggle asserting its borders, and even its existence; between 1772 and 1918 Polish territory was divided between these three hostile powers, and Poland as a country ceased to exist.
That all changed with the end of the First World War, with the Treaty of Versailles recognising the creation of an independent Polish nation. Poland was now tasked with creating a military of its own; a matter complicated by its new troops having returned from the three separate countries that had ruled over it for the past 123 years – all with an assortment of different uniforms and equipment!
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One of the most prestigious Polish units was Kościuszko Squadron. Born as 3rd Aviation Escadrille in Cracow on 7 November 1918, it was sent to defend Lwów against Ukraine. Following its re-equipment with fighter aircraft in May 1919, it would become 7th Fighter Escadrille.
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In March 1919, 7th Escadrille was visited by American Capt. Merian Cooper. He had a historical connection to Poland, as his great-grandfather John fought in the American War of Independence alongside two Polish heroes, Tadeusz Kościuszko and Kazimierz Pułaski.
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Pułaski gave his life protecting the American colonies, and Cooper felt compelled to repay his nation’s debt to Poland. In September 1919 returned to Poland with nine American pilots. They officially joined the Polish Army on 17 October 1919.
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This Polish-American alliance were posted to 7th Escadrille. Lieutenant Elliott William Chess designed 7th Escadrille’s famous badge, with a new name, ‘7th Polish-American Fighter Escadrille Tadeusz Kościuszko’, approved by Polish authorities on 31 December 1919.
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POLISH AND PROUD
Despite Poland’s turbulent history, its past created a solidarity and resilience amongst the population. This fight for freedom, whether their own or for other oppressed nations, became a vital part of the Polish identity.