Ludwik Paszkiewicz was born in Wola Galezowska, Poland on 21 October 1907.  By 1939, Paszkiewicz was a career officer in the Polish Air Force.

 

He was not able to see combat during the Russo-German invasion of Poland, as he had been sent on a mission to France in August of 1939. He fought during the Fall of France in 1940 and afterwards was evacuated to Great Britain along with many other Polish airmen.

 

Once he arrived in Britain, Paszkiewicz was posted as one of the original pilots to 303 Squadron. Paszkiewicz was appointed commander of B Flight of the squadron, and scored the squadron’s first kill, even before the squadron became active - the Poles had stumbled upon German planes during a training exercise on August 30.

 

Over the month of September 1940, during the Battle of Britain, Paszkiewicz shot down five more German planes and achieved the status of ace.

 

On September 27, Paszkiewicz was shot down and killed. He was honored with the Silver Cross of Virtuti Militari, and is buried at Northwood Cemetery, Middlesex.

 

Information from the appendices of our book "303 Squadron: The Legendary Battle of Britain Fighter Squadron", written by Arkady Fielder during World War II with the help of the squadron's pilots

 

 

Source: Aquila Polonica Facebook post

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