S/Ldr DROBINSKI BOLESLAW

Born on 23 October 1918 in Ostrog on Horyn. After his final certificate exams (in 1938) he joined the Air Force Cadet Officers School. He was promoted with seniority from 1 September 1939 within 13th promotion. He did not take part

in the defence war in September 1939. Together with a group of newly appointed cadet officers he crossed the

Romanian border. He reached France via Italy, and then was evacuated to Great Britain. In Great Britain he underwent conversion training and was assigned to No. 65 RAF Fighter Squadron, in which he participated the Battle of Britain.

On 2 March 1941 he was transferred to No. 303(Polish) Fighter Squadron T. Kosciuszko, where he fought till 25 March 1942. In 1941 he shot down as follows: two Bf 109 fighters (18 June),   Bf 109 (21 June) it was piloted by  German ace Adolf Galland , Bf 109 (22 June), Bf 109 (25 June and 3 July). During breaks between combat sorties he was an instructor at 58 OTU in Grangemouth. On 12 August 1942 he returned to No. 303 Squadron; there  from 1 December 1942 he was a flight commander. On 24 October 1942 he shot down another, the seventh, Bf 109.On 18 October 1943 he served in No.
317(Polish) Fighter Squadron City of Wilno, as a flight commander. On 3 April 1944 he returned to No. 303 Squadron; he was its commander from 26 September 1944 till 31 January 1946. At that time the squadron flew for fighter-bomber purposes. It was bombarding mainly V-2 missile launchers, but also German command posts and communication
centres. On 25 April 1945 B. Drobinski led his pilots for the last combat sortie, the longest in the history of WW II (it lasted 5 hours and 57 minutes). The squadron was escorting 255 Lancaster heavy bombers which bombarded Berchtesgaden Hitler s HQ. On 1 February 1946 he was transferred to 61 OTU. From 20 March 1946 he was a liaison officer to 11Fighter Group. Having retired from air force service in 1948, he settled in Great Britain. He lived in Dunsfold, and was an active member of the Polish Air Force Association in Great Britain. He died on 26 July 1995. He was decorated with:
Silver Cross of Virtuti Militari War Order No. 09176 on 5 September 1941, Cross of Valour and three bars, Air Force Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross on 30 April 1941, and many other.