Wacław was born on 6 November 1913 in Dyneburg, Latvia. He graduated from the Polish Air Force Academy in Dęblin in 1934. On 15 August 1934, he was named second lieutenant and assigned to the Polish 112th Fighter Escadrille. During the invasion of Poland, on 6 September 1939, he took command of this unit.

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On 17 September 1939, Wacław was evacuated, along with his squadron, to Romania. After a few weeks, he made his way to France, where he was designated CO of the Opulski section in Romorantin, defending Bourge.

 

Following the fall of France in June 1940, he evacuated to Great Britain, where he was assigned service number P-1506. In the beginning of August 1940, light Officer Wacław was posted to the Polish 303 Fighter Squadron. He took part in the Battle of Britain.

 

On 13 April 1941, Łapkowski was appointed Commanding Officer of 303 Squadron following the death of Zdzisław Henneberg.

 

On 2 July 1941, he led 303 Fighter Squadron on a sweep operation, Circus 29, flying a Supermarine Spitfire IIB. He was shot down in a dogfight over the English Channel and perished. His body washed ashore on the occupied Continent, and he was buried at the Lombardsijde cemetery in Belgium, plot no. 224.

 

While flying as a pilot with 303 Fighter Squadron, he carried out 33 sorties and 22 operational flights.

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Wacław Łapkowski was the recipient of the Silver Cross of the War Order of Virtuti Militari, and the Cross of Valour (four times).

 

Squadron Leader Wacław Łapkowski is 27th on the list of Polish fighter aces of World War II, with 6 and 1/3 confirmed kills and one aircraft damaged.

 

Source: 303 Jag Squad Facebook post.

 

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Copyright: Lapkowski family

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