Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Second World War honorary D.F.M. group of eight awarded to Warrant Officer E. Szczerba, Free Polish Air Force, attached Royal Air Force, who was decorated for his part in over 50 ‘special duties’ operations - half a dozen of them to Warsaw at the time of the famous uprising

Poland, Virtuti Militari, breast badge, silver-gilt, silver and enamel; Poland, Cross of Valour, with 2 Bars; Poland, Air Force Active Service Medal, silvered-metal, with 3 Bars; Great Britain, Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (782592 F./Sgt. E. Szczerba); 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, together with Polish Pilot’s Badge, by J. R. Gaunt & Son Ltd., London, dulled bronze, the first and third added for display purposes since the group originally appeared at auction, good very fine and better (8) £2000-2500

D.F.M. approved by H.M. the King on 16 November 1944. The original recommendation states:

‘As Flight Engineer this airman has completed many sorties against the enemy, during which he has displayed courage, skill, and fortitude of a high standard. On one occasion whilst participating in a mission to Warsaw, intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire was encountered; the aircraft was held in searchlights and sustained extensive damage. Despite this, the mission was continued and completed successfully. On this return flight further anti-aircraft fire was encountered. Nevertheless the aircraft was flown safely back to base. This airman has participated in six missions to Warsaw.’

Emil Szczerba, who was born in Drohobycz, Poland, in November 1911, enlisted Polish Air Force in September 1939, and, having made his way to the U.K., joined the Royal Air Force in August 1940. Qualifying as a Flight Engineer in the course of 1943, he was posted No. 1586 (Polish Special Duties) Flight, operating in Halifaxes out of such airfields as Hurn and Tempsford. Later still, when the unit was re-mustered as No, 301 (Polish) Squadron, he flew Liberators out of Brindisi.

Between April and September 1944 he completed 56 S.O.E. agent and supply sorties to Italy, Poland and Yugoslavia, most notably half a dozen of them in support of the Warsaw uprising - very few aircraft were available at this time, as by and large the whole of Transport Command was fully occupied keeping the Allied Armies supplied in their dash for the Rhine. And the units that participated lost 86 percent of their aircraft in six nights, horrendous losses that prompted Air-Marshal Slessor to put a stop to what amounted to suicide missions. However, Polish aircrew in special duties units were permitted to continue the initiative, as a result of which a further 32 aircraft were lost over a two month period - with resultant casualties of 65 officers and 169 non-commissioned aircrew.

Szczerba was awarded the Virtuti Militari, 5th Class in 1944, in addition to the Cross of Valour with 2 Bars and the Air Force Medal with 3 Bars, and was advanced to Warrant Officer in May 1945. Having then enlisted Polish Resettlement Corps (R.A.F.) in January 1947, he was finally discharged in January 1949, and settled in Bradford, West Yorkshire, where he died in 1980; sold with a large quantity of copied official records and log book entries.