Czesław Główczyński facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Czesław Główczyński
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 22 July 1913 Będzin Congress Poland |
| Died | 17 December 2000 (aged 87) Warsaw |
| Allegiance |  Poland France United Kingdom United States of America |
| Service/ |
 Polish Air Force France Armée de l'Air Royal Air Force United States Air Force |
| Rank | flight lieutenant |
| Service number | P-1495 |
| Unit | Polish 162nd Fighter Escadrille I/145 Polish Fighter Squadron No. 302 Polish Fighter Squadron |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Virtuti Militari; Cross of Valour; Croix de Guerre |
Czesław Marian Główczyński was a brave Polish fighter ace who flew for the Polish Air Force during World War II. He was known for shooting down enemy planes, with 5 confirmed victories and one shared with another pilot.
Contents
A Pilot's Journey
Czesław Główczyński was born in 1913. He loved flying from a young age. In 1935, he earned his license to fly gliders, which are planes without engines. After that, he studied to become an artillery officer.
A year later, he joined the Polish Air Force Academy in Dęblin. This is where he learned to fly military planes. By late 1938, he became a second lieutenant. He was then assigned to the Polish 162nd Fighter Escadrille, where he flew PZL P.7 planes.
Fighting in World War II
When World War II began on September 1, 1939, Czesław was ready. On the very first day, he damaged an enemy plane called a Hs 126. The next day, he shot down a He 111 and helped another pilot shoot down a Bf 110.
He continued to fight bravely. On September 3, he shot down a Ju 86. Three days later, he got another He 111. During this time, he flew a PZL P.11 plane. On September 17, he flew his plane across the border into Romania for safety.
Escape and New Missions
After being held in Romania for a short time, Czesław escaped on November 1. He traveled through Yugoslavia and Greece. On November 28, he sailed from Athens to Marseilles, France.
In France, Czesław joined the I/145 Polish Fighter Squadron. Here, he flew a Caudron C.714 plane. On June 9, 1940, near Paris, he shot down a Bf 109 and possibly another one. He also likely damaged a Do 17 that same day. On June 19, he was moved to the UK for safety.
Joining the RAF
In the RAF (Royal Air Force), Czesław joined the No. 302 Polish Fighter Squadron. On August 17, 1940, during a training flight, his Hawker Hurricane plane caught fire. He managed to land safely and get out before the plane exploded. He was injured and spent three months in the hospital.
He returned to his squadron in April 1941. His last confirmed victory was on December 30, 1941.
Later Roles and Legacy
On January 25, 1942, Czesław was sent to the Polish General Staff. He worked as an air assistant to General Władysław Sikorski. After Sikorski's death, he became an assistant to General Kazimierz Sosnkowski.
In March 1944, he studied at an Aviation School for six months. After that, he served in the USAAF (United States Army Air Forces), where he flew Republic P-47 Thunderbolt planes.
Czesław Główczyński also helped start the Polish Air Force Association. This group helped Polish pilots after the war.
He passed away on December 17, 2000, in Warsaw. He is buried at the Powązki Cemetery.
Planes Shot Down
Here are some of the enemy planes Czesław Główczyński was credited with damaging or shooting down:
- Hs 126 - Damaged on September 1, 1939
- He 111 - Shot down on September 2, 1939
- 1/2 Bf 110 - Shared victory on September 2, 1939
- Ju 86 - Shot down on September 3, 1939
- He 111 - Shot down on September 6, 1939
- Bf 109 - Shot down on June 9, 1940
- Bf 109 - Probably damaged on June 9, 1940
- Do 17 - Probably damaged on June 9, 1940
- Bf 109 - Shot down on December 30, 1941
Awards and Honors
Czesław Główczyński received several important awards for his bravery:
Virtuti Militari, Silver Cross
_4r_BAR.PNG)
Cross of Valour (Poland), four times
