Wacław Łapkowski
Wacław Łapkowski | |
---|---|
Born |
Daugavpils, Russian Empire | 6 November 1913
Died |
July 2, 1941 25) English Channel | (aged
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service/branch |
Polish 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
- 1/3 He 111 - 6 September 1939
- He 111 - 9 September 1939
- Ju 88 - 5 September 1940
- Me 109 - 4 June 1941 (damaged)
- Me 109 - 18 June 1941
- 2 x Me 109 - 22 June 1941
- Me 109 - 24 June 1941
Awards
Virtuti Militari, Silver Cross
Cross of Valour (Poland), four times
References
Further reading
- King, Richard (2012). Wydawnictwo RM, ed. Dywizjon 303 walka i codzienność. Warsaw. p. 38. ISBN 978-83-7243-979-6.
- Olgierd Cumft; Hubert Kazimierz Kujawa (1989). Wydawnictwo MON, ed. Księga lotników polskich poległych, zmarłych i zaginionych 1939-1946. Warsaw. p. 369. ISBN 83-11-07329-5.
- "biografia - Wacław Łapkowski" (in Polish). p. 1. Retrieved 2012-06-20.