Jan Kowalski

In 1937, he was reassigned to the Underage Aviator Non-commissioned Officer School in Bydgoszcz, where he was airliner aviation instructor. After the Invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany on 1 September 1939, which begun the World War 2, he was assigned to the Reserve Reconnaissance Squadron of the Officer Cadet Aviation School in Dęblin, in which, he piloted PZL.23 Karaś planes. On 17 September, he flew to Chernivtsi, Romania, and on 31 October, he had arrived in Marseille, France. He was then assigned to the airbase in Istres, France, and later he was reassigned to the headquarters of the training base of the Polish Air Forces, located at the Lyon–Bron Airport. On 4 March 1940, he was assigned to the training centre in Rennes.

After the Fall of France in 1940, he had escaped to Great Britain, United Kingdom, where he joined the Royal Air Force, and got assigned service number 793450, and later, P-1909. After being trained to pilot British fighter aircraft, on 21 August, he got assigned to the 303 Squadron. As a member of the squadron, he fought in the Battle of Britain. On 26 September 1940, while piloting Hawker Hurricane no. P3089, he had shot down the Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter, and on 27 September, he had damaged the Heinkel He 111 bomber.

On 22 January 1941, he was assigned to newly formed No. 315 Polish Fighter Squadron. On 5 December 1942, after ending the turn of combat flights, he was assigned to the No. 58 Operational Training Unit, where he was an instructor. He died on 15 May 2000, in Nottingham, England, United Kingdom.

Military ranks Polish Air Forces Pilot captain

Royal Air Forces Officer cadet (until June 1942) Pilot officer (June 1942 – 1 June 1943) Flying officer (1 June 1943 – 1 June 1944) Flight lieutenant (since 1 June 1943)

Air combat achievements Jan Kowalski is classified as 248th at the Bajan's list of flying aces of Poland during World War II. The list include his one confirmed shot down plane, 1 Messerschmitt Bf 109 on 26 September 1940, while piloting Hawker Hurricane no. P3089.

Confirmed damaged planes 1 Heinkel He 111 on 27 September 1940, while piloting Hawker Hurricane no. P3089.

Awards Virtuti Militari, no. 11062 (1 June 1945) 3 Crosses of Valour (1 February 1941, 19 February 1942, 20 December 1943) 3 Aviation Medals Field Pilot Badge Distinguished Flying Cross (10 April 1946)