Quick Facts
Biography
Henryk Pietrzak (b. 6 March 1914 – 28 January 1990) was a Polish fighter ace of the Polish Air Force in World War II.
Biography
Pietrzak joined the Polish Air Force in 1933, and during the Invasion of Poland, piloted PZL.23 Karaś light bombers and later flew fighters with the Free French Air Force's GC III/9 squadron.
He joined No. 306 Polish Fighter Squadron as a Sergeant Pilot in August 1941, flying Hawker Hurricanes and Supermarine Spitfires, and was commissioned the following year, eventually becoming a Squadron Leader. On 31 December 1942 while flying a Spitfire Mk IX (Serial No. EN128) he scored the 500th victory for the UK based Polish Air Force in the war and was later decorated by Polish President Władysław Raczkiewicz. After starting a second tour with 306 Sqn he joined 315 Polish Fighter Squadron from July 1944 until October 1944, flying P-51 Mustang IIIs. He was awarded the DFC in August 1944.
His score was 7 ( and 2 shared) claimed destroyed and 2 damaged. All his victims were German fighter planes: 3 Messerschmitt Bf 109s and 4.5 Focke-Wulf Fw 190s. He is also credited with destroying four V-1 flying bombs.
He settled in England after the war, commanding 309 Polish Fighter-Reconnaissance Squadron from July 1945 to January 1947, and continued to serve further with the RAF attaining the rank of Group Captain.
Awards
Virtuti Militari, Silver Cross - 10 February 1943
Cross of Valour, four times
Air Medal for the War of 1939-45
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom) - 9 February 1945