A Hero to remember – Sgt. Michał Brzezowski, one of Churchill’s Few

26/02/2025
History

Michał Brzezowski was born in Dawidgrodek, Poland on 26th February 1920. He entered the Polish Air Force NCOs Training School at Bydgoszcz in 1936. He qualified as a fighter pilot at Krosno in 1939. Brzezowski was posted to the 5th Air Force Regiment at Lida and joined 151 Fighter Squadron.

From the left: Sgt. M. Brzezowski, Sgt. S Wojtowicz, Sgt. E Szaposznikow

After the fighting in early September, his unit was evacuated to Romania on the 18th. Brzezowski made his way to France, where he joined l’Armee de l’Air. In June 1940 he was serving with Groupe de Chasse II/6. On the 15th he shared in the destruction of a Hs126.

When France collapsed, Brzezowski headed for England, reaching there on 7th July 1940. After converting to Hurricanes at 5 OTU Aston Down, he was posted to 303 Squadron at Northolt on 21st August.

Sgt. Michał Brzezowski is remembered at the Battle of Britain Memorial in London

Brzezowski claimed the destruction of two He111’s on 11th September. Four days later he failed to return from a combat with Me109’s over the Thames off Gravesend. His aircraft, Hurricane P3577, is presumed to have come down in the Estuary.

Brzezowski is commemorated on the Polish War Memorial at Northolt.