Orders, Decorations and Medals

A scarce Honorary D.F.M. group of five awarded to Flight Sergeant Bernard Kowalski, Nos. 301 and 305 (Polish) Squadrons, Royal Air Force, who flew on all three ‘1,000 bomber’ raids in May and June 1942

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (780329 F/Sgt. B. Kowalski); 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal; Poland, Virtuti Militari, Silver Merit Cross, the lower reverse arm numbered ‘9103’, together with the recipient’s original Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book for the period July 1940 to August 1943, Award Certificate for Virtuti Militari, dated 10 July 1941, several photographs, two letters of congratulation, Identity Card, Airman’s Pay Book and other documents, very fine (5)

Bernard Kowalski was born in Poland on 9 August 1918. He had already completed 200 hours flying with the Polish Air Force as Wireless Operator and Air Gunner before he came to England in the early part of 1940. After a further 50 hours flying training on Battles and Hudsons at Hucknall, Kowalski was posted to the newly formed 301 (Pomeranian) (Polish) Squadron in July 1940. Equipped with Fairey Battles, the squadron began operations in mid-September, Kowalsky taking part in the very first operation on the night of the 14th/15th, when three Battles bombed barges and shipping in Boulogne harbour, his pilot on this occasion being the Squadron Leader. In November 1940, the squadron converted to Wellingtons and continued offensive operations against targets in Germany. By mid-September 1941, Kowalski had completed his first operational tour of 30 missions and was posted to No. 18 OTU at Bramcote for further training. Whilst serving with this Operational training Unit he took part in all three 1,000 bomber raids, on Cologne, 30 May 1942; Essen, 1 June 1942; and finally Bremen on 25 June 1942. Kowalsky returned to his old squadron in September 1942, remaining with it until it was disbanded in April 1943, by which time he had completed 40 operational missions. He was now posted to No. 305 (Ziemia Wielkopolska) (Polish) Squadron, completing his second tour at the end of June 1943 with a total of 50 operational missions to his credit. Awarded the Polish Virtuti Militari in July 1941, Kowalski was one of only 66 Poles to be awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal, which he received in 1942. He appears to have ceased operational flying in August 1943 but his log book records his subsequent units through to the end of May 1947 when, presumably, he left the service.