Kazimierz Wünsche, 303 Squadron fighter pilot, was born 5 June 1919. He joined the Polish Air Force at Bydgoszcz in 1936 and graduated from Krosno in 1939 as a fighter pilot.

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In September 1939 he was serving with 111 Fighter Squadron and on 8 September he shared in the destruction of a Hs126.

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When Poland fell Wunsche escaped to France, via Romania, arriving there on 11 November 1939. He joined l'Armee de l'Air and was sent to the Polish depot at Lyon-Bron to convert to the Bloch MB152. He was then posted to Groupe de Chasse II/8 at Villacoublay.

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After the French collapse Wunsche made his way to La Rochelle, where on 19 June he boarded the Alderpool, arriving in Plymouth on 22 June.

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He was enlisted in the RAFVR at RAF Eastchurch and from 1 June 1940 he was with the Polish Wing at 3 School of Technical Training Blackpool to await a posting.

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On 2 August 1940 Wunsche joined 303 Squadron at its formation at Northolt. He claimed Me109s destroyed on 31st August and 5 September and destroyed a Me109 and probably another on the 6th.

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He proved himself a skilled airman during the Battle of Britain, shooting down three confirmed and one probable German Me-109 fighters.

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Wunsche was shot down on 9 September by Me109s in combat over Beachy Head, he baled out with slight burns and after landing near Devil's Dyke was admitted to Hove Hospital. His Hurricane, P3700, crashed and burned out at Saddlescombe Farm, Newtimber Hill. He did not rejoin 303 Squadron until 23 October.

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He was commissioned in December 1942, and rejoined 303 Squadron, then at Debden, on 17March 1943. He left the squadron on 1 October for duties at the Polish Air Force Depot Blackpool.

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On 18 April 1944 Wunsche joined 315 Squadron at Coolham. He became a Flight Commander on 6 December, and remained with the squadron until 24 August 1945, being then posted to RAF Coltishall on staff duties.

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Wunsche was released from the Polish Air Force in December 1946 as a Flight lieutenant. Unlike many other Polish soldiers in the West, Wünsche decided to return to the newly established communist Poland in 1947. He initially served in Poland’s Air Force as an instructor but was expelled in 1952 and persecuted for his service with the Western Allies.

 

It was only after Stalin’s death that the Polish communist regime eased pressure on Western Front veterans. Wünsche eventually found work within the civilian air medical and sea rescue services.

 

Kazimierz Wünsche was honored with:

• the Silver Cross of the Virtuti Militari (5th Class);

• the Cross of Valour with three bars;

• the British Distinguished Flying Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross;

• the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta.

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He died in Warsaw. Poland on 10 July 1980, at the age of 61 years, and is buried at Powazki Cemetery in Warsaw.

 

Information from the book "303 Squadron: The Legendary Battle of Britain Fighter Squadron" by Arkady Fiedler, written during the war with the help of the squadron's pilots.

 

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Source: Aquila Polonica Facebook post

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