A Hawker Hurricane Mk 1 in 310
Squadron markings
Len Deighton in his
book “Fighter” wrote: ”Poles and Czechs were not permitted to participate in
the air fighting until they had mastered the rudiments of the English language
and flying procedures. When they did start operations, these homeless men,
motivated often by a hatred bordering upon despair, fought with a terrible and
merciless dedication”.
No. 310 Squadron RAF was a Czechoslovakian-manned fighter
squadron of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War (1940).
It was first formed on 10 July 1940 at RAF Duxford, equipped
with Hawker Hurricane I fighters and was the first RAF squadron to be raised
crewed by foreign nationals, in this case escaped Czechoslovakian pilots. Led
by Squadron Leader Douglas Blackwood and using experienced pilots the squadron
was operational in only a month and as part of 12 Group became involved in the
Battle of Britain as part of the Duxford 'Big Wing'. 37.5 victories were
claimed during the battle.
The four Czechoslovak Squadrons and the four Norwegian
Squadrons were RAF squadrons with RAF style squadron badges, but the Polish
squadrons flew with the RAF as Polish Squadrons and retained their Polish
badges.
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