1st Fighter Group "Kr"
The 1st Fighter Group "Kr" was a short-lived Polish fighter unit that served with the French Air Force during the Battle of France in 1940.
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Overview
The 1st Fighter Group "Kr" was a Polish fighter aviation unit formed in France on 17 May 1940 during the German invasion of Western Europe. Known in Polish as I Klucz Kominowy „Kr”, it operated under the Polish Air Forces in France while being subordinated to Fighter Squadron 1/55 of the French Air Force. The unit was commanded by Major Zdzisław Krasnodębski and consisted of Polish pilots serving alongside French and, in operational planning, Czechoslovak personnel. The group was established at a critical stage of the Battle of France. Its initial base was at Châteaudun, a location behind the main front lines. The unit initially flew the French Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 fighter and later also operated the Koolhoven F.K.58. Because of its position behind the front and weaknesses in the French command and alert system, the group was repeatedly ordered into action too late to intercept incoming German aircraft. These delays limited its operational effectiveness and contributed to dissatisfaction among its Polish personnel. On 18 and 20 May 1940, the group moved to the Étampes aerodrome near Paris. Its first recorded air combat took place on 3 June, when its pilots intercepted German aircraft attacking the Châteaudun airfield. During that engagement, Stanisław Karubin achieved the unit's only credited aerial victory by shooting down a Dornier Do 17 bomber. The group's composition changed on 12 June, when it was joined by a detachment commanded by Lieutenant Franciszek Skiba. In the final phase of the French campaign, the enlarged unit conducted patrols over the area surrounding engine factories near Limoges and participated in the defence of Bordeaux between 16 and 17 June. As France approached capitulation, the pilots withdrew toward Rochefort and then travelled overland to La Rochelle, an embarkation point for Polish military personnel. On 19 June 1940, shortly before the French capitulation, the group was disbanded. Its pilots boarded the ship Alderpool and reached Plymouth, England, on 22 June. Many of the former members subsequently entered the British-based Polish air arm and were assigned to No. 303 Squadron of the Royal Air Force. Although its independent existence lasted only about one month, the unit formed part of the broader Polish effort to continue the war after the defeat of Poland and the collapse of France.
History
The 1st Fighter Group "Kr" was created on 17 May 1940 under the Polish Air Forces in France and placed under the operational authority of Fighter Squadron 1/55 of the French Air Force. Major Zdzisław Krasnodębski led the unit. It was initially based at Châteaudun, behind the principal battlefront, and was equipped with Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 fighters. Koolhoven F.K.58 aircraft were also used later. The group's early operations were constrained by the French warning and command structure. Polish crews were frequently dispatched after German aircraft had already passed beyond interception range. In response, Krasnodębski sought arrangements under which Polish pilots would operate with Czechoslovak pilots rather than being delayed by what he regarded as ineffective French operational coordination. The unit relocated to Étampes near Paris on 18 and 20 May. It entered combat on 3 June, intercepting German aircraft during a raid against the Châteaudun airfield. Stanisław Karubin shot down a Dornier Do 17, the group's only recorded aerial victory. On 12 June, a detachment under Lieutenant Franciszek Skiba joined the group; Lieutenant Eugeniusz Antolak and Platoon Leader Marcin Machowiak were also associated with the enlarged formation. During the final days of the Battle of France, the group patrolled the area around engine manufacturing facilities near Limoges and helped defend Bordeaux on 16–17 June. With French defeat imminent, its pilots flew to Rochefort, travelled by land to La Rochelle, and assembled there with other Polish personnel. They departed aboard Alderpool on 19 June and arrived at Plymouth on 22 June. The group was disbanded during this evacuation process, and its surviving pilots later joined No. 303 Squadron of the Royal Air Force in Britain.
- 1940
Formation in France
[1]The 1st Fighter Group "Kr" was formed on 17 May under the Polish Air Forces in France and subordinated to French Fighter Squadron 1/55.
- 1940
Move to Étampes
[1]The unit moved from the Châteaudun area to the aerodrome at Étampes near Paris on 18 and 20 May.
- 1940
First air combat
[1]On 3 June, the group intercepted German aircraft attacking Châteaudun. Stanisław Karubin shot down a Dornier Do 17.
- 1940
Reinforcement by Skiba's group
[1]A group commanded by Lieutenant Franciszek Skiba joined the formation on 12 June.
- 1940
Defence of Bordeaux
[1]The unit participated in the defence of Bordeaux during the final phase of the Battle of France on 16 and 17 June.
- 1940
Evacuation and disbandment
[1]The pilots left France through La Rochelle aboard Alderpool on 19 June, reached Plymouth on 22 June, and subsequently joined the Polish aviation effort in Britain.
Products and positioning
A wartime Polish fighter unit organized for the defence of France and later absorbed into the Polish aviation effort in the United Kingdom.
Fighter aircraft
Morane-Saulnier M.S.406
The French M.S.406 was the group's principal initial fighter type. It was a single-seat fighter used by French and allied formations during the Battle of France.
Fighter aircraft
Koolhoven F.K.58
The Dutch-designed Koolhoven F.K.58 was also associated with the unit during its brief service in France.
Marketing campaigns
- 1940Battle of France
France
The group served during the German campaign in France, operating from Châteaudun, Étampes, Limoges, and the Bordeaux area. Its duties included interception, patrols, and local air defence.
Outcome. The unit was evacuated as France capitulated and was disbanded on 19 June. Its pilots continued service in Britain, with later assignments including No. 303 Squadron RAF.
Sources1 sources
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