Bolesław Drobiński
| Bolesław Drobiński DSO DFC** | |
|---|---|
| Born |
23 October 1918 Ostroh, Russian Empire |
| Died |
July 26, 1995 England |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |
 Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1937-1948 |
| Rank | major |
| Unit |
No. 65 Squadron RAF No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron No. 317 Polish Fighter Squadron |
| Battles/wars | Polish Defensive War, World War II |
| Awards | Virtuti Militari; Cross of Valour; Distinguished Flying Cross (UK) |
Bolesław Drobiński DFC was a Polish fighter ace of the Polish Air Force in World War II with 7 confirmed kills and one shared.
Biography
Drobiński made his first flight on a glider in 1934. On 2 January 1938 he entered the Polish Air Force Academy in Deblin. After the Invasion of Poland he was evacuated to France via Romania and Italy, then he came in England.
On 11 September 1940 Drobiński was assigned to the No. 65 Squadron RAF and took part to the Battle of Britain. On 2 March 1941 he was posted to the No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron. On 15 May 1941 he damaged on the ground a Ju 52. On 21 June 1941 Drobiński heavily damaged the plane flown by German ace Adolf Galland[1] and forced him to a crash-landing. From 18 March 1942 to 9 August 1942 he was an instructor in No. 58 Operational Training Unit at RAF Grangemouth. On 18 October 1943 he was ordered to No. 317 Polish Fighter Squadron. On 3 April 1944 he began to work in the Ministry of Defence. On 26 September 1944 he took command of No.303 Polish Fighter Squadron.
Drobiński was demobilized in 1948. He worked in the oil industry in America. In 1950's he settled in a village in Surrey. In 1960 he obtained British citizenship. In 1943 he married a South African woman, they had two sons and a daughter.[2]
Aerial victory credits
- 18 June 1941 – 2 Bf 109
- 21 June 1941 – Bf 109
- 22 June 1941 – Bf 109
- 25 June 1941 – Bf 109
- 3 July 1941 – Bf 109
- 6 July 1941 – 1/3 Bf 109 (probably destroyed)
- 7 July 1941 – 1/2
- 24 July 1941 – Bf 109 (probably destroyed)
- 24 October 1941 – Bf 109 (probably destroyed)
- 13 March 1942 – Bf 109
Awards
Virtuti Militari, Silver Cross
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Cross of Valour (Poland), three times
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
References
Further reading
- "Bolesław Drobiński" (in Polish). p. 1. Retrieved 2012-06-21.
- Konrad Rydłowski. "Bolesław Drobiński" (in Polish). p. 1. Retrieved 2012-06-21.
- "Bolesław Drobiński" (in Polish). p. 1. Retrieved 2012-06-21.
- "zestrzelenia Gallanda". p. 1. Retrieved 2012-06-21.