Wacław Łapkowski

Wacław Łapkowski (6 November 1913 in Dyneburg - 2 July 1941 over the English Channel) was a major in the Polish Air Force and fighter ace during World War II, with 6 confirmed kills and one shared.[1]

Wacław Łapkowski
Born(1913-11-06)6 November 1913
Daugavpils, Russian Empire
Died2 July 1941(1941-07-02) (aged 27)
English Channel
Allegiance Poland
 France
 United Kingdom
Service/branch Polish Air Force
 France Armée de l'Air
 Royal Air Force
Years of service1934-1941
Rankmajor
UnitPolish 112th Fighter Escadrille
No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron
Commands heldPolish 112th Fighter Escadrille
No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron
Battles/warsPolish Defensive War
World War II †
AwardsVirtuti Militari; Cross of Valour

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
  • Bf 109 - 4 June 1941 (damaged)
  • Bf 109 - 18 June 1941
  • 2 x Bf 109 - 22 June 1941
  • Bf 109 - 24 June 1941

Awards

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

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References
  1. ""Lista Bajana"". www.polishairforce.pl.

Further reading
  • King, Richard (2012). Wydawnictwo RM (ed.). Dywizjon 303 walka i codzienność (in Polish). Warsaw. p. 38. ISBN 978-83-7243-979-6.
  • Knoblock, G. A. (2008). "With great sacrifice and bravery": The career of Polish ace Waclaw Lapkowski, 1939-41. Merriam Press.
  • Olgierd Cumft; Hubert Kazimierz Kujawa (1989). Wydawnictwo MON (ed.). Księga lotników polskich poległych, zmarłych i zaginionych 1939-1946 (in Polish). Warsaw. p. 369. ISBN 83-11-07329-5.
  • "biografia - Wacław Łapkowski" (in Polish). p. 1. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
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