Albatros (Oeffag) D.III Polish-American commander of the 7th Fighter Squadron with the Kosciuszko unit

Albatros (Oeffag) D.III of the 13th Fighter Squadron with the pilot's distinctive personal emblem, referring to the "flying allowance" postcard well known at that time, 1920.

Albatros (Oeffag) D III of the 13th Fighter Squadron with the pilot's distinctive personal emblem, 1920.

From the Italian Front of the Great War... A large group of Polish pilots serving in the Austro-Hungarian air service flew combat missions over the Alps on Albatros (Oeffag) D.III fighter aircraft - here from Flik 10. (J. Butkiewicz's collection)

Image from Krakow 1919... An airport car fleet was used at each of the major Polish airports. The photograph show a company passenger car of the Pilots School in Krakow (collection of the Polish Aviation Museum in Krakow)

With the Kosciuszko emblem on the fuselage... Albatros (Oeffag) D.III fighter aircraft purchased in Austria in 1919 equipped the Polish-American 7th Air Squadron transformed into a fighter unit. In the photos, the popular "De drei" with the Kosciuszko emblem on its fuselage; here is machine K.234 (former Austro-Hungarian 253.234). (collections of Lt. Col. Dr.T. Kopanski and the Polish Aviation Museum in Krakow)

Face from the tail of the fighter plane MiG 29 No. 42... Major Cedric Fauntleroy in December 1919 at Lewandowka airport with a flight suit. In the background a fighter plane type Albatros (Oeffag) D.III with the roman "I" - marking of the Polish-American commander of the 7th Fighter Squadron, whose emblem appears next to it. His image by Robert Gretzyngier flies to this day on the aircraft from the 23rd Tactical Air Base in Minsk Mazowiecki. (T. J. Kopanski, 7th Hunting Squadron Tadeusza Kosciuszki 1918-1921", Warsaw 2011)

Symbols of "two independence"... The author of the "star emblem" of the Polish-American 7th Fighter Squadron was Lieutenant Elliot W. Chess - stands next to the fuselage of an Albatros (Oeffag) D.III fighter. (collection of Lt. Col. Dr.T. Kopanski)

American fantasy... Start from Lewandowka with a risky "American" Albatros (Oeffag) D.III fighter piloted by Lieutenant Elliott Chess. (T. J. Kopanski, 7th Hunting Squadron Tadeusza Kosciuszki 1918-1921", Warsaw 2011)

In battle and in... Vienna... Lieutenant Stefan Stec was one of the most experienced pilots of the Lwow flight crew, hence he and two other officers were directed to Vienna in order to select and then purchase the much needed combat aircraft for the air war in Eastern Galicia, and not only fighter aircraft. The final choice fell on Albatros (Oeffag) D.III fighters. (W. Sankowski collection)

"Krzysztof Cwynar's Flying Circus"... In Podkarpackie Poland in 2020, three flying replicas of Albatros (Oeffag) D.III fighters will be ready for flights. All will wear the emblem of the 7th Polish-American Fighter Squadron. (authors collection)

Front paintings and not only... The front of the Polish-Ukrainian and Polish-Bolshevik wars as well as the airports in the country were strewn with plane wrecks damaged in accidents, shown, a crashed Albatros (Oeffag) D.III. Note swirl camouflaged fabric on the upper and under surfaces. (W. Sankowski's collection)

Still in a foreign uniform... In November 1918, the commander of Polish pilots in Lwow was Oblt. Stefan Bastyr - photographed in the uniform of the K.u.K. Luftfahrtruppen against the background of his Aviatik "Berg" D.I no.138.56 fighter from Flik 37P. (internet via J. Butkiewicz)

The era of biplanes ... At the outbreak of the Great War, the Austro-Hungarian aviation in which a large group of Poles served mainly used biplane aircraft of their own production, e.g. Aviatik B.I, as well as German production of the Albatros type B.I. In the photograph is an airfield scene from the initial period of the fighting. Annie was an Aviatik (o Av-24) B.II series 32 assigned to Flik 3 and was powered by a 120 hp Daimler engine. (G. Penz's collection)

Field airports of Galicia... From 1914, Galicia was the location of fierce fighting between the Austro-Hungarian and Russian armies. Aviation was the "eyes of the commands" of these armies. An Austro-Hungarian airfield is shown in the photos - Flik 3 in Lesko from 1915 and another Flik in Sanok in 1917. (collections of SAW/KA Wien and B. Siwiec)

Oeffag C.II in all its glory... This aircraft belonged to the 7th Air Squadron stationed at the airport Lewandowka. The Lwow characters in the tail part are noteworthy. (TJ. Kopanski, 7. Hunting Squadron Tadeusza Kosciuszki 1918-1921, Warszawa 2011)

Bloody 14 May 1919... Preparation at Lewandowka to take off for the attack on the trenches of Ukrainian infantry near Kulikow of the Oeffag C.II aircraft from the 7th Air Squadron. That day, the squadron suffered painful losses there. (TJ. Kopanski, 7th Fighter Squadron of Tadeusza Kosciuszki 1918-1921, Warszawa 2011)

An independent generation... Second Lieutenant Zygmunt Kostrzewski from the 7th Air Squadron in the background of an Oeffag C.II aircraft at the Lewandowka airport. (TJ. Kopanski, 7. Hunting Squadron Tadeusza Kosciuszki 1918-1921, Warszawa 2011)

Lucky... On March 12, 1919, in a plane crash at Lewandowka, an Oeffag C.II aircraft was crashed - Lieutenant Jerzy Borejsza and Lieutenant Kazimierz Swoszowski had exceptional luck coming out of the accident alive. (T. J. Kopanski, 7th Fighter Squadron of Tadeusza Kosciuszki 1918-1921, Warszawa 2011)

Feltre airfield on June 15, 1918. Shattered during the landing by the Flik 11F crew. In the photo are Hptm.Fp. Josef Weingartner, commander of Flik 11F, and Lt.d.Res. Kazimierz Swoszowski, and a Phonix C.I reconnaissance plane.The crew after the start from the field airport San Giustina headed towards the front with the task of distant reconnaissance; however, due to bad weather at 17.30 they were forced to land at Feltre airport. Due to the strong wind, there was an accident in which the pilot was slightly injured. (B. Kudlicka's collection)

The wreckage of 1920... During the flights, the British Bristol F2B "Fighter" crashed. (collection of W. Sankowski)

With a red-and-white checkerboard... In the years 1918-1919, while occupying the former Austro-Hungarian and German airports in Krakow, Warszawa and especially in Poznan, a lot of modern aircraft fell into Polish hands. In the photo, a captured AEG C.IV two-seat reconnaissance aircraft in flight. (collection of J. Butkiewicz)

Aviation assistance for Lwow... During the Polish-Ukrainian war of 1918/1919 Krakow-Rakowice airport was the main air base for Polish squadrons fighting in Eastern Galicia and then on the Ukrainian Front. The photo shows the captured Austro-Hungarian and German flying equipment (AEG C.IV) of Polish aviation renovated in Krakow workshops in 1919. (collection of the Polish Aviation Museum in Krakow)

Sgt. Jagiellonczyk from "Blue Army" aviation at one of the national airports against the backdrop of the "German booty" of 1919, an Albatros B.II, with Polish chessboards on it. (collection of the Polish Aviation Museum in Krakow)

This Albatros B.II served as a trainer in post-war Poland and has had a typical training accident. Its radiator is in front of the wing, not a side radiator.
The last moments before leaving for the front... In the photo the commander of the 9th Air Squadron Lieutenant/Captain Franciszek Trenkwald at the Rakowice airport - stands on the wing of the plane - along with Sergeant Franciszek Kolodzinski - first from the left. (collection of the Polish Aviation Museum in Krakow)

The front reality of 1920... Air crashes were rapidly reducing the number of aircraft of the 2nd Reconnaissance Squadron. The photo shows broken planes on the Ukrainian Front. (A. Sikorski's collection)

The reality of Warsaw... Pole Mokotowskie Airport in Warszawa has had many air crashes since 1918, which did not always end happily. (collection of J. Butkiewicz)

The beginnings of aviation - Graphics from the era repeatedly showed "air humor" from the early twentieth century, (the collection Z. Luty)

Balloon Destroyer... Lieutenant Franciszek Jach - in the cockpit of a Albatros D.III fighter aircraft at the Lawica airport on December 29, 1918 - from the 1st Greater Poland Air Squadron on May 9, 1919 after taking off from the Hureczko field airport, during an attack on the Ukrainian observation balloon near Rajtarowice he was shot down by Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense and captured. (collection of T. Chwalczyk)

Brothers in arms... Lewandowka 1919 - next to Albatros D.III 2587/17, Captain Stefan Bastyr, Lieutenant Wladyslaw Torun, eng. R. Wayde, and Adam Tiger. (J. Przybyla, From the Eagle Battles of Lwow Pilots, Lwow 1919 via J. Butkiewicz)

Crashed "De drei"... Albatros D.III fighter aircraft belonged to the group of the first fighter aircraft of Polish aviation. In the photo, broken on March 28, 1920 by Lieutenant Sergiusz Abzoltowski popular "De drei". (collections of the Polish Aviation Museum in Krakow)

Albatros C.X 9224/16 Adzia with crew Cadet Tadeusz Dzierzgowski and Sergeant Antoni Smetkowski from the 1st Greater Poland Air Squadron - later the 12th Reconnaissance Squadron - at a field airport in Belarus. On 10 (9?) May 1920, Bolshevik fighter planes shot down a squadron plane with crew - Captain Wladystaw Jurgenson and the Cadet T. Dzierzgowski. In captivity, the squadron commander was shot and the observer was released after the fighting, (collection of the Air Force Museum in Dublin)

C.XII Albatros in the colors of Polish aviation. In Polish air slang it was called a "cow"; Lwow 1919.

Albatros C.XII(BFW) C.1833/17, CWL no.2 of the 2nd Reconnaissance Squadron

Albatros C.XII. One aircraft of this type was used by the 6th Squadron in Lwow in 1919.

From the Austro-Hungarian aviation over Polish Lwow... Among the Poles who served during the Great War in the Austro-Hungarian Luftfahrtruppen was, among others, Oblt. Fp. Georg von Nalecz-Sosnowski, during the Second Polish Republic, Captain Jerzy Sossnowski, famous for the spy scandal, who served in Flik 13D from December 1, 1917 on the Albanian Front. In the photograph one of the "flying legends" from Lwow, Lieutenant Stefan Stec, who ended the Great War in 1918 in Flik 3J over Alps. The photograph was taken at Lewandowka in Lwow in the spring of 1919 - in the background an Albatros C.XII aircraft popularly called a "cow". (T. J. Kopanski, 7. Hunting Squadron Tadeusza Kosciuszki 7978-1927, Warszawa 2011)

More and more east... In the spring of 1920, field airports of Polish air squadrons were usually situated near railways. The photos show Albatros C.XII(BFW) C.1833/17, CWL no.2 of the 2nd Reconnaissance Squadron. The observer has a Russian machine gun on a Russian mount. (collection of A. Sikorski)

Images from the past... From the combat trail of the 2nd Reconnaissance Squadron in 1920. (A. Sikorski's collection)

Albatros C.XII after a crash-landing on Lewandowka. (collections of Lt. Col. Dr.T. Kopanski and the Polish Aviation Museum in Krakow)

Belarus 1920... Guest in the 1st Greater Poland Air Squadron - 12th Reconnaissance Squadron. Squadron staff against the background of Albatros J.I plane - inside the squadron commander Captain Wladyslaw Jurgenson and Gen. Daniel Konarzewski commanding the Combined Greater Poland Division. (Air Force Museum)

Solivar field airport - today, the area of the Isla airport near Presov in the Slovak Republic. Flik 13 pilots are standing next to the DFW B.I aircraft: Oblt. Ernst Ritter von Pfiffer, Oblt. Josef Steiner, sister of the Red Cross Maria, Hptm. Fp. Kurt Wilhelm Edler von Helmfeld, Oblt. Fp. Viktor Nowy Edler von Wallersberg and Pola, Lt. Otto Seidl. (B. Kudlicka's collection)

The honorable name... For the fighting in Eastern Galicia in 1919 the 1st Greater Poland Air Squadron received the honorable emblem with the inscription "For the defense of the Eastern Borderlands" - on photographs on fuselages of their aircraft, here a DFW C.V from 12th Reconnaissance Squadron. In the literature from the People's Poland period, this name was removed from books through censorship. (collection of the Air Force Museum in Dublin)

The honorable name... For the fighting in Eastern Galicia in 1919 the 1st Greater Poland Air Squadron received the honorable emblem with the inscription "For the defense of the Eastern Borderlands" - on photographs on fuselages of their aircraft, here a DFW C.V from 12th Reconnaissance Squadron. In the literature from the People's Poland period, this name was removed from books through censorship. (collection of the Air Force Museum in Dublin)

Combat flight 1919... Crew of DFW C.V aircraft from the 1st Greater Poland Air Squadron during a combat flight. (collection of the Air Force Museum in Dublin)

Fokker D.VII of the 13th Fighter Squadron, 1920. The aircraft had a characteristic pilot's personal emblem - a skull with crossbones and the inscription Memento mori.

Fokker D.VII SLL 530/18 (ex-D.VII(OAW) 6687/18). The picture taken during flight over Poznan at 11 May 1921.

An unfortunate loss... On August 6,1920, while taking off from Lewandowka airport, Captain Stefan Bastyr died while piloting a Fokker D.VII fighter. The reason for the pilot's death was most likely a collapse in the cabin due to heart disease. The creator of Lwow aviation was buried in the headquarters of the commanders at the Lyczakow Cemetery - Eaglets' Cemetery. During the devastation of the cemetery by Soviet authorities, his body, along with several other heroes, was moved by Maria Tereszczakowna to another place in the cemetery, which as a result of extinction of witnesses of this act remains unknown until today. The photo shows a Fokker D.VII fighter plane crashed in an accident and the grave of "father of Bastyr children." (J. Butkiewicz and Polish Aviation Museum in Krakow collection)

Fokker E.V (D.VIII) No. 001 of pilot Stefan Stec with his personal emblem and mixed markings - checkers on the fuselage and wings, Lwow signs on the vertical tail - 1919.

With a wind rose in the coat of arms... Lieutenant Stefan Stec piloting a Fokker E.V (D.VIII) No. 001 fighter aircraft - with its characteristic personal emblem - a wind rose and an inverted letter 's' - on April 29, 1919, he became the winner in an air battle over Sokolniki, though he did not shoot down an enemy plane. (National Library/Polona, album SEMPER FIDELIS. Defense of Lwow in contemporary paintings, Lwow 1930)

Yesterday's enemies today united in a common flight. American-Italian mission at the Lviv airport in 1919. In the background Fokker E.V no. 001.
Air emotions... Every air fight evoked a lot of emotions among the crew of the airport in Lwow. In the photo: Fokker E.V (D.VIII) fighter aircraft number 001, Lieutenant Stefan Stec - the pilot leans over the dog, squadron mascot, surrounded by pilots from the Lewandowka crew. From the left the arrows are marked: Lieutenant Kazimierz Kubala, Lieutenant Wladyslaw Torun, and Lieutenant Franciszek Peter. (collection of the Polish Aviation Museum in Krakow)

"Flying Razor" in Lwow... Fokker E.V(D.VIII) fighter aircraft came to Polish aviation as a war prize from Greater Poland. Of the 16 aircraft, three (001, 002 & 005) arrived in Lwow in the spring of 1919 at Lewandowka airport. In the photograph aircraft No. 005, which was one of most often used by Lieutenant Stefan Stec - his personal emblem visible on the side - horizontal letter Sand wind rose. The chessboards with borders and the printed lozenge camouflage fabric characteristic of German aviation as well as two types of painting of chessboards with the exchange of white and red fields are noteworthy. (the collection of Lt. Col. Dr. Kopanski)

Another crash ..."Flying Razor", Fokker E.V (D.VIII) No. 002 with the personal emblem of Captain Stefan Bastyr - a wind rose and a characteristic "loop" - smashed at Lewandowka in Lwow in May 1919 by Lieutenant Ludwik Idzikowski ("Lulas"). (collections of the Polish Aviation Museum in Krakow)

Allies... During the fights in 1920 on the Ukrainian Front in the composition of the 21st Destroyer Squadron, combat flights as an observer were carried out together with Polish pilots Captains observer Arthur Kelly. He died along with Second Lieutenant Stanislaw Skarzynski on July 15, 1920 in a downed LVG C.V aircraft from this squadron. The photo shows a Friedrichshafen G.IIIa bomber from the 21st Destroyer Squadron in flight. (W. Sankowski's collection)

Flying mosaic... In the winter of 1918/1919, a large number of types of aircraft were used in Polish aviation, which from the German, Austro-Hungarian and Russian air forces went to the Polish squadrons fighting in the Polish-Ukrainian war. In the photograph is Halberstadt CL.II.

"Greater Poland wings" 1919/1920... During the Polish-Ukrainian and Polish-Bolshevik war, the most modern, captured German flying equipment went to the eastern theater of the war along with Greater Poland squadrons. Here is a Halberstadt CL.II. (W. Sankowski's collection)

The wreckage of 1920... During the flights, German service-controlled plane crashed by Lieutenant Jozef Szyfter - commander of the 4th Reconnaissance Squadron - at Baranowicze October 14, 1920 a Halberstadt CL.II. (collections of W. Sankowski and A. Sikorski)

Flying mosaic... In the winter of 1918/1919, a large number of types of aircraft were used in Polish aviation, which from the German, Austro-Hungarian and Russian air forces went to the Polish squadrons fighting in the Polish-Ukrainian war. In the photograph is Rumpler C.IV and Hannover CL.II.

Flying mosaic... In the winter of 1918/1919, a large number of types of aircraft were used in Polish aviation, which from the German, Austro-Hungarian and Russian air forces went to the Polish squadrons fighting in the Polish-Ukrainian war. In the photograph is Roland-built Hannover CL.II.

Lewandowka, June 1919... The Hannover CL.II of the commander of the 2nd Air Group, Captain Camillo Perni, during the review. (collection of Lt. Col. Dr. Kopanski)

Defenders of Lewandowka 1918... A group of Polish pilots in front of the hangar at the Lwow airport. A Hannover CL.II is in the hangar. (W. Sankowski's collection)

Warsaw, 23 August 1919, public showing of the first Polish CWL type "Slowik"-"Nightingale". An Austro-Daimler engine was used. Postwar Poland built three copies of the Hannover CL.II; the last was not completed. (Museum 303 Squadron collection)

Warsaw, black, 7 April 1919... Lieutenant Wladyslaw Ryszkiewicz crashed a Roland-built Hannover CL.II fatally in Pole Mokotowskie. (collections of the Polish Aviation Museum in Krakow)

Brandenburg C.I, 27th production series. First Ukrainian combat (or operational) aircraft of the Ukrainian Galician Army, January 1919.

Truing up 26.12. The large permanent hangar is noteworthy.
The core of Polish aviation personnel at the Lwow airport came from the K.u.K. Luftfahrtruppen units fighting in the Great War on the Italian Front. In the photographs planes of the Brandenburg C.I and Flik 7 colors during workshop works. In the same realities, the first aircraft at Lewandowka airport were launched in the Lwow workshops. (collection of the Polish Aviation Museum in Krakow)

The "workhorse"of Austro-Hungarian aviation... Brandenburg C.I aircraft on all fronts of the Great War enjoyed a well-deserved reputation among the crews. Poles and Ukrainians also flew there. In the photos, scenes from Flik 7 in service on the Italian Front from 1917. The Brandenburg C.I was 25% of all Austro-Hungarian aircraft at the front. (collections of the Polish Aviation Museum and G. Penz)

Surrounded by discarded wrapping material, a new Brandenburg C.I(U) 61.24 being assembled at Flik 17. The summer cowling is installed. The twin fuselage cooling louvres were a recent factory modification. The wing panels are fitted together before being mated to the fuselage.
The core of Polish aviation personnel at the Lwow airport came from the K.u.K. Luftfahrtruppen units fighting in the Great War on the Italian Front. In the photographs planes of the Brandenburg C.I and Flik 7 colors during workshop works. In the same realities, the first aircraft at Lewandowka airport were launched in the Lwow workshops. (collection of the Polish Aviation Museum in Krakow)

On November 5, 1918, the history of Polish aviation began over Lwow... On that day, Polish aviation performed its first combat flight over Lwow with an Oeffag C.II aircraft. Brandenburg C.I aircraft - in the photo a Brandenburg C.I from Flik 7 from the Italian Front - were, however, the type that began to be produced in the Lewandowka airport workshops based on the Austro-Hungarian model as the first Polish aviation aircraft. (collection of the Polish Aviation Museum in Krakow)

Flying mosaic... In the winter of 1918/1919, a large number of types of aircraft were used in Polish aviation, which from the German, Austro-Hungarian and Russian air forces went to the Polish squadrons fighting in the Polish-Ukrainian war. In the photograph is Brandenburg, C.I.

Lwow 6th Flying Squadron... In the winter of 1918/1010, the 6th Flying Squadron was stationed at Lewandowka airport, which was equipped with a variety of several types of aircraft. On the left an LVG C.VI on which Second Lieutenant flew Lieutenant Mieczyslaw Garsztka, Brandenburg C.I visible on the right - various types of chessboard insignia can be noticed, (collections of Lt. Col. Dr.T. Kopanski)

Winter fashion... In the winter of 1919/1920 the crews of the 6th Air Squadron were more and more well equipped to perform combat flights. In the photo of the Lwow aviator "6" in winter uniforms against the background of the Brandenburg C.I with Lwow signs in Tarnopol airport on the tail visible. (collection of Lt. Col. Dr.T. Kopanski)

The time of biplanes... Mechanics from Lewandowka against the background of an air hangar. (collection of J. Butkiewicz)

Lwow aerial signs ...White and red stripes painted on the wings and tails of aircraft at Lewandowka airport were called Lwow signs. The photo shows the most successful multi-task aircraft of the Austro-Hungarian Luftfahrtruppen, a Brandenburg C.I aircraft at Lewandowka airport in 1918 - Lwow aerial signs visible on it. (T. J. Kopanski, 7. Hunting Squadron Tadeusza Kosciuszki 1918-1921, Warszawa 2011)

Lwow fantasy... Lewandowka airport in Lwow in the winter of 1918/1919. On the fuselage of the Brandenburg C.I aircraft and painted white eagle, Lwow aerial signs in the tail, red and white checkerboard wings. (T. J. Kopanski, 7th Fighter Squadron of Tadeusza Kosciuszki 1918-1921, Warszawa 2011)

Direction Radymno... Krakow Rakowice 14 March 1919 - departure of the 9th Air Squadron to the front. In the photo, the commander with officers and the squadron during the commemorative photo. (collection of the Polish Aviation Museum in Krakow)

Happy return... On April 11, 1919, during landing at Lewandowka airport, a Brandenburg C.I aircraft from the 7th Air Squadron crashed. In the photo ground crew are righting the plane onto its wheels. (T. J. Kopanski, 7th Fighter Squadron of Tadeusza Kosciuszki 1918-1921, Warszawa 2011)

Another crash... The airports in Krakow, Lwow, and Poznan in 1918/1919 were very often the scene of aircrashes. In the photos, a Brandenburg C.I crashed in Lwow, with Krakow signs, the accident of Lieutenant Wilhelm (?) Siemieriski and Lieutenant Boleslaw Ropelewski on the same type of aircraft. (collections of the Polish Aviation Museum in Krakow)

Inhospitable land... A Brandenburg C.I crashed at the Krakow airport. (W. Sankowski's collection)

Another crash... The airports in Krakow, Lwow, and Poznan in 1918/1919 were very often the scene of aircrashes. This time, standing near his crashed aircraft, Lt. Donat Makijonek has major luck. (collections of the Polish Aviation Museum in Krakow)

Lucky ...There is not much left of a Brandenburg C.I after such a spectacular landing at the Lewandowka airport, from which, however, the pilots left uninjured. (collections of the Polish Aviation Museum in Krakow)

Brandenburg C.I aircraft from Flik 32 broken during landing at the airport in Bucharest. (collection of F. Frauenneder, K. Meindl and J. Butkiewicz)

LVG C.V in the colors of Ukrainian aviation. Airplanes of this type were also used by Polish aviation, including the 1st Greater Poland Air Squadron - 1919.

Winter war on the BeloRussian Front... In 1919, the crews of the 1st Greater Poland Air Squadron, despite the winter weather, were constantly in combat. Loading bomb to LVG C.V, Lulu - Wanda. (collection of the Air Force Museum in Dublin)

LVG C.V 3201/17 (wk. 30746) '3' named ‘Kotek'. (Piotr Mrozowski)
"Women's Squadron"... The planes of the 1st Greater Poland Air Squadron had female names painted on their fuselages. In the photographs in Galicia and on the Lithuanian-Belarusian Front in 1919 squadron pilots against the background of an LVG C.V aircraft named Mania - Ema (machine 4), Halka - Zosia (machine 5), Stasia (machine 2) and Kotek (machine 3). (collection of the Air Force Museum in Dublin)

"Women's Squadron"... The planes of the 1st Greater Poland Air Squadron had female names painted on their fuselages. In the photographs in Galicia and on the Lithuanian-Belarusian Front in 1919 squadron pilots against the background of an LVG C.V aircraft named Mania - Ema (machine 4), Halka - Zosia (machine 5), Stasia (machine 2) and Kotek (machine 3). (collection of the Air Force Museum in Dublin)

Wide tracks... The Greater Poland Air Force Squadron, like other Polish aviation units, had an iron railway as its basic means of transport. (collections of the Air Force Museum in Dublin)

"Women's Squadron"... The planes of the 1st Greater Poland Air Squadron had female names painted on their fuselages. In the photographs in Galicia and on the Lithuanian-Belarusian Front in 1919 squadron pilots against the background of an LVG C.V aircraft named Mania - Ema (machine 4), Halka - Zosia (machine 5), Stasia (machine 2) and Kotek (machine 3). (collection of the Air Force Museum in Dublin)

Golden hands of mechanics... Co-authors of the combat successes of the crews of the 1st Greater Poland Air Squadron in 1919 were its mechanics. In the photographs mechanics at the LVG C.V plane. (collection of the Air Force Museum in Dublin)

Polish uniforms, German aircraft... In the photograph of the aviators of the 1st Greater Poland Air Squadron against the background of an LVG C.V aircraft. (collection of Museum of the Air Force in Dublin)

Belarus 1920... Guest in the 1st Greater Poland Air Squadron - 12th Reconnaissance Squadron. Squadron staff against the background of LVG C.V plane - inside the squadron commander Captain Wladyslaw Jurgenson and Gen. Daniel Konarzewski commanding the Combined Greater Poland Division. (Air Force Museum)

Commemorative photo taken at 1st EW (12 EW) during Gen. Daniel Konarzewski's visit. In the center of flying and ground personnel is guest Gen. D. Konarzewski and Eskadra CO Lt. pilot Wladyslaw Jurgenson. Note interesting unidentified LVG C.V seen at center, with closed fuselage side engine ventilation and partially seen painted girl name 'Milka'. Kisielewicze airfield, April 1919. (Piotr Mrozowski)

Aviation assistance for Lwow... During the Polish-Ukrainian war of 1918/1919 Krakow-Rakowice airport was the main air base for Polish squadrons fighting in Eastern Galicia and then on the Ukrainian Front. The photo shows the captured Austro-Hungarian and German flying equipment (LVG C.V) of Polish aviation renovated in Krakow workshops in 1919. (collection of the Polish Aviation Museum in Krakow)

Hureczko and Wojnowice 1919... On the battle route of the 1st Greater Poland Air Squadron in 1919 there was also Eastern Galicia - the airport in Hureczko - and the Belarusian Front - the air gala of the 12th Reconnaissance Squadron at the field airport in Wojnowice. (collection of the Air Force Museum in Dublin)

Airports full of wrecks... In the photos, an LVG C.V (P) crashed in 1919 by Lieutenant Tomaszowicz. (collections of the Polish Aviation Museum in Krakow)

Front paintings and not only... The front of the Polish-Ukrainian and Polish-Bolshevik wars as well as the airports in the country were strewn with plane wrecks damaged in accidents.

Guest of 1 st Eskadra Wielkopolska (12th EW), Gen. Daniel Konarzewski (with mustache) photographed near Squadron pilots, observers, and mechanics in front of the wreck of LVG C.V 9614/17, Kisielewicze near Bobrujsk airfield, spring 1920. Aircraft was crashed by pilot Lt. Witold Rutkowski. Standing near the fuselage chessboard CO 12 EW Squadron, pilot Lt. Wladyslaw Jurgenson, shot down (10 May 1920), captured, and brutally murdered by Bolsheviks. (Piotr Mrozowski)

Lewandowka - May 1919... LVG C.VI aircraft armed with a Schwarzlose M 7/12 machine gun on which additional flights over Eastern Galicia were carried out by the crew of Second Lieutenant Mieczyslaw Garsztka and Lieutenant Kazimierz Swoszowski. (collections of Lt. Col. drT. Kopanski)

Lwow 6th Flying Squadron... In the winter of 1918/1010, the 6th Flying Squadron was stationed at Lewandowka airport, which was equipped with a variety of several types of aircraft. On the left an LVG C.VI on which Second Lieutenant flew Lieutenant Mieczyslaw Garsztka, Brandenburg C.I visible on the right - various types of chessboard insignia can be noticed, (collections of Lt. Col. Dr.T. Kopanski)

An unusual event... LVG C.VI of Ukrainian aviation - visible marking in the form of tryzubes at the bottom of the lower wing - after landing at Lewandowka airport surrounded by Polish pilots and mechanics. (collection of the Polish Aviation Museum in Krakow)
LVG C.VI 3963/18 was captured by the Poles on 15 August 1919. Its pilot, an Austrian serving with the Ukrainian Army, probably defected from his unit to the Polish side. Members of the 5. EL arrived at the site of the landing and secured the aircraft. (Muzeum Lotnictwa Polskiego w Krakowie)

"Greater Poland wings" 1919/1920... During the Polish-Ukrainian and Polish-Bolshevik war, the most modern, captured German flying equipment went to the eastern theater of the war along with Greater Poland squadrons. Here is a Rumpler C.I. (W. Sankowski's collection)

The first accidents... Mokotowskie Airport in Warsaw - 11 December 1918. Lieutenant Edmund Norwid-Kudlo from the former Imperial Russian Air Service crashed here because of his inability to fly the German Rumpler C.I aircraft. On the wreck so-called Warsaw signs from autumn 1918 are visible. (collection of J. Butkiewicz)

Flying mosaic... In the winter of 1918/1919, a large number of types of aircraft were used in Polish aviation, which from the German, Austro-Hungarian and Russian air forces went to the Polish squadrons fighting in the Polish-Ukrainian war. In the photograph is Rumpler C.IV and Hannover CL.II.

Krakow 1919... Crash of Rumpler C.IV number 51 (painted on one side only) used at the Pilots School in Krakow, where the plane came from the 2nd Moving Air Park. (collection of J. Butkiewicz)

Daily service... Rumpler C.VII with nose painted red and white surrounded by pilots from the 1st Grand Poles Air Squadron. (collection of the Air Force Museum in Dublin)

Ansaldo A.1 Balilla "8" in Poland.

"Flying coffin"... In the spring and summer of 1920, the Polish-American 7th Fighter Squadron flying aircraft became Italian-built Ansaldo A 1 "Balilla" fighter aircraft - on a photograph from a series from licensed production in Poland - bearing this infamous name. Note machine no.10 has Lt. C. E. Fountleroy's modification for two 12.5 kg P.u.W. bombs mounted to the wheel struts. (T. J. Kopanski, 7th Hunting Squadron Tadeusza Kosciuszki 1918-1921, Warszawa 2011 and W. Sankowski's collection)

"Balilla"over the "faithful city"... Ansaldo A.1 "Balilla" from the Polish-American 7th Fighter Squadron of Tadeusz Kosciuszko during the flight over the center of Lwow and on preceding page another wrecked in an air accident. (T.J. Kopanski, 7th Hunting Squadron Tadeusza Kosciuszki 1918-1921, Warszawa 2011 and W. Sankowski's collection)

In July 1919 French camouflage still dominated many "Blue Squadron" planes but they carried Polish insignia.

Technical advantage... In 1919, the view of Breguet XIV aircraft from "Blue Squadrons" at Krakow and Lwow airports became commonplace. (W. Sankowski's collection)

Technical advantage... In 1919, the view of Breguet XIV aircraft from "Blue Squadrons" at Krakow and Lwow airports became commonplace. (W. Sankowski's collection)

White and red combinations... Multiple combinations marked with nationality were used on "Blue Army" aviation aircraft. The photo shows a Breguet XIV aircraft flying over Krakow with incorrectly painted chessboards - half red and white swap - white and red chevron painted on the fuselage and French insignia on the wings. (W. Sankowski's collection)

Technical advantage... In 1919, the view of Breguet XIV aircraft from "Blue Squadrons" at Krakow and Lwow airports became commonplace. (W. Sankowski's collection)

Inhabitable land... The basic aircraft of reconnaissance squadrons of the Polish Army in France was the Breguet XIV aircraft. In the photograph, this type of aircraft after "landing with adventures" (W. Sankowski's collection)

In July 1919 French camouflage still dominated many "Blue Squadron" planes but they carried Polish insignia. Photograph of Breguet XIV aircraft in French camouflage after a crash. (W. Sankowski's collection)

With French insignia and a white-and-red chevron... In the photo a Breguet XIV aircraft after a forced landing in Posada Leska in 1919. (collections of R. and Z. Nater)

The strength of "Blue Aviation"... The French School of Pilots used Caudron G.III aircraft. (W. Sankowski's collection)

Caudron G.III was... a very forgiving school plane. (W. Sankowski collection)

Krzysztof Cwynar's Flying Circus... In southern Poland, Podkarpackie region, for several years, air shows have included two flying reproductions of fighter aircraft from the Great War, type Nieuport 11 and Nieuport 17. In 2018, their show honored the 3rd International Aviation Conference in Gorlice-Szymbark. (author's collection)

Legendary Nieuports... Nieuport 81D2 aircraft came to Polish aviation with the "Blue Army" aviation and training students to practice the art of flying required a lot of patience on the part of instructors. The airplane shown was used as liaison by the 10th reconnaissance squadron, whose unit badge was a white Eagle with a red heart painted on the fuselage side. (W. Sankowski's collection)

Legendary Nieuports... Nieuport 81D2 aircraft came to Polish aviation with the "Blue Army" aviation and training students to practice the art of flying required a lot of patience on the part of instructors.

Nieuport 23 C1 belonging to the 1st Ukrainian Aviation Unit. Lt. Franz Rudorfer flew this aircraft during the period of fighting over Galicia - Spring 1919.

Krzysztof Cwynar's Flying Circus... In southern Poland, Podkarpackie region, for several years, air shows have included two flying reproductions of fighter aircraft from the Great War, type Nieuport 11 and Nieuport 17. In 2018, their show honored the 3rd International Aviation Conference in Gorlice-Szymbark. (author's collection)

Nieuport 24bis C1 of Bolshevik 3rd Artillery Aviation Unit. In this machine Lt. J. Julewicz escaped to Polish lines. Galicia, 6th July 1919.

A Russian delicacy... In 1919, a SPAD S.VII C.1 captured from the Russians was repaired in the workshop of the Lewandowka airport. The plane was unfortunately crashed during a flight by Lt. Mieczyslaw Garsztka June 10 1919, who died in his crash. (the collection of Lt. Col. Dr. Kopanski)

A Russian delicacy... In 1919, a SPAD S.VII C.1 captured from the Russians was repaired in the workshop of the Lewandowka airport. The plane was unfortunately crashed during a flight by Lt. Mieczyslaw Garsztka June 10 1919, who died in his crash. (the collection of Lt. Col. Dr. Kopanski)

Fokker Slayer... In 1920, the most modern French Fighter XIII C.1 fighter planes equipped the 7th, 18th, and 19th Fighter Squadrons and the 1st and 14th Reconnaissance Squadrons. Soon, a group raid of the 18th Fighter Squadron in Minsk on October 13, 1920 made history. (W. Sankowski's collection)