Wacław Łapkowski

Wacław Łapkowski
Born (1913-11-06)6 November 1913
Daugavpils, Russian Empire
Died July 2, 1941(1941-07-02)
English Channel
Allegiance

 Poland
 France

 United Kingdom
Service/branch

 Polish Air Force
 France Armée de l'Air

 Royal Air Force
Years of service 1934-1941
Rank major
Unit Polish 112th Fighter Escadrille
No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron
Commands held Polish 112th Fighter Escadrille
No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron
Battles/wars Polish Defensive War, World War II
Awards Virtuti Militari; Cross of Valour

Wacław Łapkowski was a Polish fighter ace of the Polish Air Force in World War II with 6 confirmed kills and one shared.[1]

Biography

Łapkowski graduated from Polish Air Force Academy in Deblin in 1934. On 15 August 1934 he was named second lieutenant (podporucznik) and assigned to the Polish 112th Fighter Escadrille. During the Invasion of Poland, on 6 September 1939 he took command of his unit after Stefan Okrzeja died. On 9 September he shot down a He 111. After the September Campaign he was evacuated to France where he was posted to the Opulski section in Romorantin. After the Battle of France, Łapkowski arrived in the UK. On 3 August 1940 he was ordered to the No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron and took part in the Battle of Britain. On 5 September he downed a Ju 88 but his plane was damaged, Łapkowski wounded, jumped with a parachute. On 5 May 1941 he became commander of his squadron. On 2 July 1941, No. 303, engaged some 60 Bf 109s over Lille. Łapkowski was killed over the English Channel. His body washed up on shore.

Łapkowski was buried in Lombardsijde, Belgium.

Aerial victory credits

Awards

Virtuti Militari, Silver Cross
Cross of Valour (Poland), four times

References

  1. ↑ http://www.polishairforce.pl/zestrz2w.html

Further reading

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