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>I read a book today that claimed the two
>leading aces in the Battle of Britain were a
>Pole and A Czech.
The Battle of Britain was another good example of Britains ability to marshall forces in their defence. I think of the top scoring pilots who shot down more than ten aircraft in the engagement only a couple were actually English. The rest were either from the displaced nations such as Czechoslavakia, Poland, etc and the Commonwealth nations. The top scoring Australian was Pat Hughes with 14 Des and 3 Shared. He died though in early September during the Battle Of Britain. It isnbt surprising that the pilots that had already seen combat sorced quickly, most of the RAF pilots were pretty new to combat.
A good book on the Battle of Britain is by a Candaian bloke ( forgotten his name ) called "One of the Few". He ended up commanding the RAF's polish wing, all numbered 303 Sqn, 304 etc. One of the funny stories was, at a Navigation lecture he stood up and told the lecturer he was wrong on some point, saying it would never work in combat. The lecturer asked him how he tells his Wing to navigate home. The Candian bloke replied. " I tell them to fly the course of their squadron number". At which everyone laughed roflmgo. A course of low 300's would bring the polish pilots straight across the channel to England though.
That was one of my fave books when I was younger, it is to my shame I cant remember his name. Can picture him too.
cam
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