Poland - 1919 Fokker D.VII Part 1

Three Polish Fokker D.VII

Another day, another Polish aircraft update. I will try to post them in an orderly and thematic manner to avoid any confusion (Being a geezer with memory issues this is more for me than my readers). Recently I have been working on Polish profiles of the Fokker D.VII. I decided to post them by squadron instead of piecemeal.

I have been thinking about offering CD profile collections for sale. I am still considering the format and structure. Whether it would be better as naked images accessed through a HTML menu or as a PDF. I am not sure if there is a demand for another collection by another illustrator. I welcome any feedback on this. If there is a need and market for this I will be offering them on my blog and my main site.

Fokker D.VII, 15.Eskadra Myśliwska, Pilot Unknown s/n 502/18

This example is fairly typical of schemes used for he Fokker D.VII in Poland. Of note is the bomb rack carried by many of the Fokker D.VII in Polish service. All the polish national markings are the simple version.

Fokker D.VII, 15.Eskadra Myśliwska, Sgt. A. Bartkowiak, s/n 503/18, August-1919

The fuselage and wheel covers of this example are painted in a dark finish. The sources I have seen show it as black. The wings and tail plane are covered in a standard lozenge fabric.

Fokker D.VII, 15.Eskadra Mśsliwska, s/n 504/18, Ostrow Wielkopolski Airfield,1921

Here we have another plane covered in five color lozenge cloth. The crippled hand is a personal insignia. I am still searching for the identity of the pilot of this plane.

A Short Incomplete History of the 15.Eskadra Myśliwska

The unit was formed May 25, 1919 in Poznan as 4 Greater Combat Squadron (ie hunting, in contrast to the squadron,field). The commander was Ltn. George Dziembowski. The first squadron had six pilots which flew German aircraft. The unit initially flew three Albatros D.III 2 Fokker D.VII and a Fokker D.VIII (EV). Beginning in July of 1919 the squadron used the French SPAD VII to train pilots. Later on they switched to the Fokker D. VII. On September 20, 1919 the squadron was stationed at the airport Poznań-Ławica, awaiting orders from the Supreme Command.

In February 1920 the Greater Combat Squadron was named Fighter Squadron 15 . The unit was redeployed to the airport in Bydgoszcz as the reserve unit for the Supreme Command. In April 1920 the squadron consisted of seven fighter pilots and 9 Fokker D.VII , 2 SPAD VII and a two-seat multi-role aircraft Albatros B.II (unassembled).

In May 1920 was sent to the front of the Polish-Soviet war and incorporated into the Third Division . On May 16, 1920 the squadron arrived at the airport Wapniarka to Podolia. The squadron specialized in reconnaissance and ground support missions. During combat operations against the Bolsheviks, the 15th squadron used light bombs strafing runs with great effect. On May 24 of 1920, 5 planes destroyed the Soviet artillery battery in Zielonka.During a two day mission (May 27-28) involving the 15th, 5th and 21st Squadrons attacked the Malewannaja railway station, targeting armored trains and rolling stock.

Overall, from May to October 1920, 15 Squadron made 277 sorties, losing four aircraft to ground fire (three aircraft were damaged) one pilot was killed and one wounded. After the war, under the command of 18 January 1921 Fighter Squadron 15 years stationed in Ostrow Wielkopolski .bIn August 1921 the year 15th Fighter Squadron was part of Fighter Squadron V 3 Air Regiment in Poznan-Shoal.

References

1. Tarkovsky, Krzysztof: Polish Air Force in the war with Soviet Russia 1919-1920. Warsaw: 1991. ISBN 83-206-0985-2 ,
2. Goworek, Thomas: The first Polish fighter aviation, Warsaw 1991, ISBN 83-85001-46-8