Wacław Łapkowski
Wacław Łapkowski (6 November 1913 in Dyneburg - 2 July 1941 over the English Channel) was a major in the Polish Air Force and fighter ace during World War II, with 6 confirmed kills and one shared.[1]
Wacław Łapkowski | |
|---|---|
| Born | 6 November 1913 Daugavpils, Russian Empire |
| Died | 2 July 1941 (aged 27) English Channel |
| Allegiance |  Poland France United Kingdom |
| Service/ |  Polish Air Force France Armée de l'Air Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1934-1941 |
| Rank | major |
| Unit | Polish 112th Fighter Escadrille No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron |
| Commands held | Polish 112th Fighter Escadrille No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron |
| Battles/wars | Polish Defensive WarWorld War II † |
| Awards | Virtuti Militari Cross of Valour |
Biography
Łapkowski graduated from Polish Air Force Academy in Deblin in 1934. On 15 August 1934 he was named second lieutenant (podporucznik) and assigned to the Polish 112th Fighter Escadrille. During the Invasion of Poland, on 6 September 1939 he took command of his unit after Stefan Okrzeja died. On 9 September he shot down a He 111. After the September Campaign he was evacuated to France where he was posted to the Opulski section in Romorantin. After the Battle of France, Łapkowski arrived in the UK. On 3 August 1940, he was ordered to the No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron and took part in the Battle of Britain. On 5 September he downed a Ju 88 but his plane was damaged, Łapkowski wounded, jumped with a parachute. On 5 May 1941, he became commander of his squadron. On 2 July 1941, No. 303, engaged some 60 Bf 109s over Lille. Łapkowski was killed over the English Channel. His body washed up onshore.
Łapkowski was buried in Lombardsijde, Belgium.
Aerial victory credits
- 1/3 He 111 - 6 September 1939
- He 111 - 9 September 1939
- Ju 88 - 5 September 1940
- Bf 109 - 4 June 1941 (damaged)
- Bf 109 - 18 June 1941
- 2 x Bf 109 - 22 June 1941
- Bf 109 - 24 June 1941
Awards
Virtuti Militari, Silver Cross
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Cross of Valour (Poland), four times
References
- ""Lista Bajana"". www.polishairforce.pl.
Further reading
- King, Richard (2012). Wydawnictwo RM (ed.). Dywizjon 303 walka i codzienność (in Polish). Warsaw. p. 38. ISBN 978-83-7243-979-6.
- Knoblock, G. A. (2008). "With great sacrifice and bravery": The career of Polish ace Waclaw Lapkowski, 1939-41. Merriam Press.
- Olgierd Cumft; Hubert Kazimierz Kujawa (1989). Wydawnictwo MON (ed.). Księga lotników polskich poległych, zmarłych i zaginionych 1939-1946 (in Polish). Warsaw. p. 369. ISBN 83-11-07329-5.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
- "biografia - Wacław Łapkowski" (in Polish). p. 1. Retrieved 20 June 2012.