Eugeniusz Szaposznikow is born in Warsaw, Poland on 17 July 1917. Eugeniusz was serving in the Polish Air Force before the war. In the fighting in Poland in September 1939 he was serving with 111 Squadron and was credited with the probable destruction of a He111.

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After the fall of Poland, Szaposznikow made his way to France and joined l'Armee de l'Air. In June 1940 he was serving with Groupe de Chasse II/6, operating the MS406 from Anglure-Vouarces near Troyes. On the 15th he shared in the destruction of a Hs126.

 

When the French collapsed, Szaposznikow escaped to England. He was processed into the RAF as a Sergeant and sent to 3 School of Technical Training at Blackpool for assessment.

 

Eugeniusz was one of the initial pilots assigned to 303 Squadron.  He joined 303 Squadron at Northolt at its formation on 2 August 1940. He claimed a Me109 destroyed on the 31st, a Do17 and another Me109 on 7 September, two Me110's on the 11th, Me109's on the 23rd and 27th and a Me109 and probably another on 7 October.

 

On 14th May 1941 he was posted to 8 FTS Montrose, as an instructor. On 4 January 1942 he was sent to the FIS Church Lawford for an instructors course, after which he was posted to 16 FTS Newton.  He returned to operations on 14 December 1943. He joined 316 Squadron at Acklington but moved to 303 Squadron at Ballyhalbert on the 21st.

 

While part of the 303 Squadron, he downed 8 German aircraft during the Battle of Britain, earning the title of ace. For the remainder of the war, he spent time as either a combat pilot or flight instructor.

 

He was appointed a Flight Commander on 6 July 1944 and was posted away to the PAF Depot at Blackpool on 17 October. Szaposznikow returned to 16 FTS on 15 November. He was released from the PAF in late 1946 as a Flight Lieutenant.

 

Eugeniusz was awarded the Silver Cross of Virtuti Militari, the Cross of Valour with three bars, the Distinguished Flying Medal, the Silver Cross of Merit, the Defence Madal, the 1939-1945 War medal, and the Air Force medal.

 

After the war, Szaposznikow settled in Britain and changed his name to Sharman. He lived to see the fall of communism and passed away in Nottinghm, UK, on 8 July 1991.

 

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Source: Aquila Polonica Facebook post

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