The summer of 1940 and the Battle of Britain—the darkest days of World War II. France, Poland, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Norway had all been crushed by the powerful Nazi German war machine. Great Britain stood alone, fighting for its life.

303 Squadron is the thrilling story of the celebrated squadron of Polish fighter pilots whose superb skill in the air helped save England during its most desperate hours. They were the highest-scoring Allied fighter squadron in the Battle of Britain, downing three times the average RAF score while incurring only one-third the average casualties. Dashing and gallant 303 Squadron was lionized by the British press, congratulated by the King, and adored by the British public.

With an immediacy that vividly brings to life those harrowing days, Fiedler paints the bravery, the poignancy, the breathtaking gambles with death risked daily by this exceptional group of young men far from home, who fought to preserve freedom for all.

“Had it not been for the magnificent material contributed by the Polish squadrons and their unsurpassed gallantry, I hesitate to say that the outcome of the battle would have been the same.”
— British Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding

Translated from the Polish; identifies the pilots by their real names for the first time in English. Nearly 200 black & white photos, maps and illustrations; contextualizing historical material; nine appendices.

Selection of the History Book Club and the Military Book Club.

Winner:
GOLD Award for History, 2011 Benjamin Franklin Awards
SILVER Award for Interior Design, 2011 Benjamin Franklin Awards

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