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"FOLLOW THE DONALD DUCK"

by Piotr Górka

Four Spitfire Mk.Vs of No. 2 (Polish) Wing during the ?Rodeo? sweep over the English
       Channel in summer 1942.

  L/E 550 Limited Edition signed & numbered prints
  Each of these editions are individuall numbered
  Overall print size:  26" wide  19 3/4" high 65.5 x 50 cm
  Image size: 21 1/2" wide  15 1/2" high  55 x 39 cm

  S/N 400 Signed & Numbered  SEVEN signatures      195 € plus postage
  signed by artist and
  Wing Comander  SKALSKI STANISLAW, DSO, DFC**,VM,* KW.***
  Wing Comander  KOLACZKOWSKI WOJCIECH, DFC, V.M. K.W.**
  Flight Lieutenant   BUDZIK KAZIMIERZ DFC, V.M. K.W.
  Flight Lieutenant MARTEL LUDWIK  DFC, V.M. K.W.*
  Flying Officer  KIRCHNER WERNER
  Warrant Officer   GIERMER WACLAW, DFM, K.W.**

  M/S 100 Multi Signatures  NINE signatures     225 € plus postage
  additionally signed by
  Squadron Leader  CWYNAR MICHAL, DFC. V.M. K.W.***
         Flying Office  SZELESTOWSKI MIROSLAW

   M/S 50 Multi Signatures  THIRTEEN signatures    298 € plus postage
  additionally signed by
Wing Comander  SAWICZ TADEUSZ, DFC, DFC USA V.M. K.W**
Squadron Leader  ZURAKOWSKI JANUSZ V.M. K.W.**
          Pilot Officer KURYLLOWICZ PIOTR
         Fligh Lieutenant MENCEL JERZY

 

THE POLISH FIGHTER WINGS

The term "wing" was used in the British air arm to refer to a number of squadrons operating together alraedy during WWI. When the RAF started offensive operations over France in late 1940/early 1941, organisation of fighter wing commenced. First two Polish wings were established in the spring-summer 1941. The 1st Wing was formed at RAF Northolt, in No. 11 Group RAF. It entered offensive operations in June 1941. Similar to the earlier practice at squadron level, the wing was led by a British officer, with a Polish double in this capacity. Soon the Polish and British wing leader functions were combined and W/Cdr Tadeusz Rolski took command of the 1st Wing as the first non-British officer to lead a wing in RAF structure. The 1st Wing was the principal Polish fighter formation in Britain for most part of the war. Squadrons of the 1st Wing took part in the most intensive daylight operations of the RAF. escorting bombers and flying fighter sweeps over occupied France and Belgium. The 2nd Wing was formed on 18 August 1941, with headquarters at RAF Exeter. It belonged to No.10 Group RAF.Squadrons of the 2nd Wing flew patrols, escorting ships off south-western coasts of Britain. They also participated in offensive operations, most often escorting bombers during raids to Kriegsmarine  bases in portrs of occupied France. Due to uneven combat workload of the wings, a rotation was introduced: having served a combat tour in the 1st Wing, squadrons moved to bases outside No. 11 Group for rest from intensive operations.