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Polish fighter ace From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Marian Bełc DFC (27 January 1914 – 27 August 1942) was a Polish fighter ace of the Polish Air Force in World War II with 7 confirmed kills and one shared.
Marian Bełc DSO DFC** | |
---|---|
Born | Paplin[1] Russian Empire (present-day Poland) | 27 January 1914
Died | 27 August 1942 28) RAF Babdown Farm, England | (aged
Allegiance | Poland France United Kingdom |
Service/ | Polish Air Force France Armée de l'Air Royal Air Force |
Years of service | 1934-1942 |
Rank | podporucznik |
Service number | P-1901 |
Unit | Polish 143rd Fighter Escadrille Polish 152nd Fighter Escadrille No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron |
Battles/wars | Polish Defensive War, World War II |
Awards | Virtuti Militari; Cross of Valour; Distinguished Flying Cross (UK) |
Marian Bełc graduated from pilot training at Lublinek air base near Łódź. On 2 November 1934 he was assigned to the 143rd Fighter Escadrille in Toruń.[2] In autumn 1937 he was transferred to the Polish 152nd Fighter Escadrille in Wilno. During the Invasion of Poland Bełc shot down his first plane, on 3 September a Bf 109.[3] After the Soviet invasion of Poland he was evacuated to France via Romania. He served in the Krasnodębski section of the Groupe de Chasse et de Défense I/55 under the command of Zdzisław Krasnodębski.[4] In the same unit served two other Polish aces: Jan Zumbach and Stanisław Karubin. After the capitulation of France he came to the UK. All pilots of the Krasnodębski section were posted 2 August 1940 to the No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron.[5] In the Battle of Britain Bełc downed 6 German planes.[6]
On 15 April 1941 married Audrey Stephenson, their son Marian Edward was born on 27 October 1941.[7]
In 1942 Bełc became an instructor in 58 OTU. On 27 August 1942, in a training flight with a British pilot their plane crash-landed. Both pilots were killed.[8] Bełc is laid to rest at Northwood Cemetery in Grave 267, Section H.
Virtuti Militari, Silver Cross
Cross of Valour (Poland), three times
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
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