Wacław Łapkowski

Wacław Łapkowski was a Polish fighter ace of the Polish Air Force in World War II with 6 confirmed kills and one shared.

Łapkowski graduated from Polish Air Force Academy in Deblin in 1934. On 15 August 1934 he was named second lieutenant (podporucznik) and assigned to the Polish 112th Fighter Escadrille. During the Invasion of Poland, on 6 September 1939 he took command of his unit after Stefan Okrzeja died. On 9 September he shot down a He 111. After the September Campaign he was evacuated to France where he was posted to the Opulski section in Romorantin. After the Battle of France, Łapkowski arrived in the UK. On 3 August 1940 he was ordered to the No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron and took part in the Battle of Britain. On 5 September he downed a Ju 88 but his plane was damaged, Łapkowski wounded, jumped with a parachute. On 5 May 1941 he became commander of his squadron. On 2 July 1941, No. 303, engaged some 60 Bf 109s over Lille. Łapkowski was killed over the English Channel. His body washed up on shore.

Łapkowski was buried in Lombardsijde, Belgium.

• 1/3 He 111 - 6 September 1939
• He 111 - 9 September 1939
• Ju 88 - 5 September 1940
• Me 109 - 4 June 1941 (damaged)
• Me 109 - 18 June 1941
• 2 x Me 109 - 22 June 1941
• Me 109 - 24 June 1941

Virtuti Militari, Silver Cross
Cross of Valour (Poland), four times