Zdzisław Krasnodębski

Zdzisław Krasnodębski [cite book | last =Olsen | first =Lynne | authorlink = | coauthors =Stanley Cloud | title =A Question of Honor: The Kosciuszko Squadron: Forgotten Heroes of World War II | publisher = Knopf | date =2003 | location =New York | pages = | url =http://books.google.com/books?id=JuIGAAAACAAJ&dq=Lynne+Olson,+Stanley+Cloud&as_brr=0 | doi = | id = | isbn =9780375411977 ] alias "Król" (b. 10th July 1904 in Wola Osowińska, d. 3rd July 1980 in Toronto) - pilot, founder and commander of Squadron 303.

He studied at schools in Siedlce, Łomża and Warszawa in Poland. He began his military service at the age of 16 in the Warsaw 201 Infantry Regiment in 1920 as a volunteer during the Polish-Soviet War. After leaving the military service he joined Cadets Corp no. 1 in Lwów, where he had passed matura (high school graduation certificate). After graduation, he was accepted to Officer's Flight School in Grudziądz, which was subsequently relocated to Dęblin.

Zdzisław graduated in 15th Aug 1928 as second lieutenant observer and joined 1st Flight Regiment in Warsaw. In Spring 1929 he completed his basic flight training in Dęblin. In May 1930 he completed advanced flight training in 2nd Flight Regiment fighter wing in Kraków. His dreams were eventually fulfilled when he was assigned to Tadeusz Kościuszko 111th Fighter Squadron of 1st Flight Regiment in Warsaw.

Zdzisław Krasnodębski continued his career in the Warsaw regiment. For a few years, as second lieutenant, he had been earning opinion of good pilot and officer as well as winning a favor of his superiors. His physical posture and aptitude predestined him as a natural fighter pilot. He was not very tall, slim, and handsome, with boyish look. He had low, pleasant voice. Always composed, intelligent, with good sense of humor and optimism. But he also treated seriously his professional responsibilities. Later on, as a leader, he always treated his subordinates with friendship. His masterful piloting skills helped him to gain sympathy and admiration.

He actively participated in actions of his unit. In October 1933 he was among the ranks of pilots of the 111th visiting Bucharest. In May 1935, he was a member of delegation of the 1st Flight Regiment to marshal Józef Piłsudski's funeral. Five months later, as lieutenant, Krasnodębski participated in a fighter pilot competition in Grudziądz.

Eventually, in November 1935 he assumed command of the 111th Fighter Squadron.

In the mid-1930s, Polish borders started to be frequently "visited" by foreign aircraft. In 1936 Krasnodębski's squadron moved to the airfield in Sarny, where they carried out numerous combat operations in the region (Polesie), where Polish borders would be often crossed by the Russian reckon aircraft. During one such incident he gave an order to shoot at Russian aircraft, when the pilot ignored Polish radio calls. Lt. Urbanowicz and Lt. Nałęcz were pilots participating in that event.

In that period, Krasnodębski has proved his tactical and leading abilities in air and educational and organisational skills on land.

Beginnings of the World War II

On 1st Sept. 1939 captain Krasnodębski was the commander of III/I Fighter Squadron. During the last days of August the squadron was based at an airfield in Zielonka near Warsaw. Predictions said that the squadron's mother airfield Okęcie would be heavily bombarded on the first day of WWII. During those first days the squadron had to its disposition 23 airplanes PZL P. 11, fully combat operable.

On the first day of the WWII, the squadron pilots flew from early morning hours, fighting bomber aircraft and engaging in combat with the escorting fighters. During one of such sorties Krasnodębski's wing shot down German Dornier, which toppled down to the ground in flames, burning the whole German crew down.

On 3rd Sept. the squadron attacked, at an altitude of 3000 m. a large group of German Messerschmidts 110. Polish airplanes - more maneuverable in close combat - forced German group to escape. On his way back to the airstrip Krasnodębski spotted a lonely Messerschmidt. He decided to perform frontal attack, hoping to successfully use his two machine guns on the German plane. However the enemy crew had four machine guns and two cannons against Krasnodębski's only two. His plane was shot down, but Krasnodębski managed to jump out and use his parachute. While soaring down to the ground he realized with horror that the German plane is coming towards him, preparing to open fire. At the last moment a Polish plane piloted by Lt. Cebrzyński entered the scene and attacked the enemy, saving Krasnodębski's life.

After taking care of burns, Krasnodębski continued to command III/I Squadron, until the Soviet invasion on Poland on 17th Sept. 1939. He managed to use nine still operable planes to cross the border with Romania, together with other Polish pilots.

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