Allegiance Poland
United Kingdom Rank Captain | Years of service 1933-1965 | |
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Born 27 March 1909
Ruszkowo, Russian Empire
(present-day Poland) ( 1909-03-27 ) Service/branch Polish Air Force
Royal Air Force Commands held No. 317 Polish Fighter Squadron Battles/wars Polish Defensive War, World War II Died 25 July 1996, London, United Kingdom Awards Virtuti Militari, Cross of Valour, Distinguished Flying Medal Battles and wars Invasion of Poland, World War II Units No. 302 Polish Fighter Squadron, No. 317 Polish Fighter Squadron | ||
Henryk Szczęsny (27 March 1909 – 25 July 1996) was a Polish fighter ace of the Polish Air Force in World War II with 9 confirmed kills and one shared.
Contents
Biography
Szczęsny was born in Ruszkowo near Ciechanów in Poland. He was the son of Stanisław and Marianna. On January 1931 he entered to Polish Air Force Academy in Dęblin. He was promoted first lieutenant (podporucznik) on 15 August 1933. During the Invasion of Poland he flew old PZL P.7. On 3 September 1939 he was credited with a "probable" victory over a Ju 87. On 14 September, flying a PZL P.11 he shot down a He 111. He injured his leg in the next day.
On 17 September, he crossed the border with Romania, in Bucharest he healed his wound. On 12 November 1939 he arrived in Marseille. He came to England in February 1940. On 6 August he was assigned to a fighter squadron. One week later he shot down a Do 17. On 19 December he was posted to No. 317 Polish Fighter Squadron. Between 20 August 1941 and 28 February 1942 he was made Commanding Officer of his squadron.
On 4 April 1943 his plane was damaged in combat with two ennemy planes, he had to parachute and was captured by the Germans. He was sent to Stalag Luft III. After his release from internment in 1945 he returned to England. He served in the RAF until 1965.
Henryk Szczęsny died on 25 July 1996 in London.
Aerial victory credits
Awards
Virtuti Militari, Silver Cross
Cross of Valour (Poland), four times
Distinguished Flying Medal