Years of service 1933–1948 | Rank Flight lieutenant | |
Born 14 November 1915
Orzechówka, Austria-Hungary
(present-day Poland) ( 1915-11-14 ) Allegiance Poland
France
United Kingdom Service/branch Polish Air Force
France Armée de l'Air
Royal Air Force Commands held No. 316 Polish Fighter Squadron Battles/wars Polish Defensive War, World War II Awards Virtuti Militari; Cross of Valour; Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom); Cross of Merit with Swords (Poland) Died 26 May 2008, Dumfries, United Kingdom Battles and wars Invasion of Poland, World War II Units Polish 114th Fighter Escadrille | ||
Michał Cwynar DFC was a Polish fighter ace of the Polish Air Force in World War II with 5 confirmed kills and one shared.
Contents
Biography
Michał Cwynar, born in 1915 was the son of Jan and Maria. In 1933 he entered the Air Force Non-Commissioned Officer's School for minors in Bydgoszcz. After he completed his fighter pilot training in 1937 he was assigned to the Polish 114th Fighter Escadrille where he flew PZL P.11. On 6 December 1938 he was posted to the Polish 113th Fighter Escadrille.
On the first day of World War II Cwynar shot down a Ju 87. On 17 September 1939 he crossed the border with Romania. On 29 October 1939 he arrived to France via Beirut. After a training on Caudron C.714 and MS-406 he took part in the Battle of France where he flew MS-406 and later Dewoitine D.520. On 19 June 1940 he flew to Algiers and finally via Casablanca and Gibraltar he came in the UK on 17 July 1940.
Initially Cwynar was sent to the 15 EFTS in Carlisle then to the No 10 Bombing and Gunnery School in Dumries. On 15 April 1941 he was orderd to the No. 315 Polish Fighter Squadron. On 14 August 1941 he shot down a Bf 109, on 16 September another one. On 1 June 1942 he was promoted second lieutenant (podporucznik). On 3 February 1943 he scored a Fw 190 near Calais. From 5 May 1943 he was an instructor with No. 58 Operation Training Unit in Balado Bridge. He returned to his squadron on 20 November 1943. On 3 July 1945 he was given command No. 316 Polish Fighter Squadron.
Michał Cwynar was demobilized in 1948, settled in Dumfries and founded his own company: "EMSEE Upholsterers & Coach Trimmers". He died on 26 May 2008.
Aerial victory credits
Awards
Virtuti Militari, Silver Cross
Cross of Valour (Poland), four times
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
Silver Cross of Merit with Swords