BNP Spitfire is Polish.
May 9, 2009 12:00 PM
The Polish Air Force Memorial - RAF Northolt. 2,165 Polish airmen gave their lives alongside the RAF during the Second War. Poles supplied 5% (145) of Fighter Command's Pilots during the Battle of Britain
In a telling pictorial moment of truth the Spitfire appearing on BNP Leaflets, issued for the European Elections and next to the title "The New Battle for Britain" and just above a call for repatriation is in fact from 303 Sqn of the Free Polish Air Force, which fought alongside the Royal Air Force from 1940 - 1945.
"This photograph tells us all we need to know about BNP ideas.
Polish Air Force Marking, this can be seen on the nose of aircraft in the Leaflet. Polish aircraft used the RAF roundel as their main marking to reduce confusion
"They are looking to live in a mythical past, a world that never existed.
303 Sqn Crest - this badge can be seen under the cockpit of the Spitfire on the leaflet. The aircraft carries the indentification letters "RF" also belonging to 303 Sqn.
"The historical fact is that the RAF Fighter Command had pilots from dozens of countries from across the Commonwealth and Europe. Victory in the Battle of Britain is a tribute to the cooperation between the peoples of many nations who defended Britain in the summer of 1940.
"Then as now, the big problems faced by the world, like climate change, the economy and international crime and terrorism will only be solved by working together, as one nation in cooperation with the rest of the world"
says Liberal Democrat Parliamentary spokesman for Windsor, Julian Tisi.
"I would urge everyone to vote on 4th June and to send a clear message to extremists everywhere that their views are rejected in this country, now as they were in 1940."
Related Links
- Read about this story from the Daily Mail at www.windsorlibdems.org.uk
- Read about this story from the Daily Mail at www.dailymail.co.uk
- Read about Jan Zumbach the pilot who flew the Spitfire at Wikipedia
- Read about the Polish 303 'Kosciuszko' Fighter Squadron to whom the Spitfire was issued after October 1941 at Wikipedia
- Read about the cosmopolitan make up of Fighter Command during the Battle at the Battle of Britain Monument web site