”'The Few' were 2353 young men from Great Britain and 574 from overseas, pilots and other aircrew, who are officially recognised as having taken part in the Battle of Britain. Each flew at least one authorised operational sortie with an eligible unit of the Royal Air Force or Fleet Air Arm during the period 10 July to 31 October 1940.”

Of these 2927, 141 were Polish

Claims of ‘saving ass’ are, to put it bluntly, pointless and puerile, and not argued by ad hoc quotes of politicians or royals just being courteous.

The contribution made by the Poles in W.W.II has been quite accurately discussed many times here as has those of other nationals. This period in time was after all a World War. If anyone thinks in terms of saving ass and kissing ass, then kiss Britain’s because Britain had the option in 1939 of telling mainland Europe to get stuffed and get on with it, because no one was threatening to cross the Channel or drop a bomb over here – the same as in W.W.I, and, after the respective wars Britain did not take any part of mainland Europe for their trouble or rip-off the countries they played a part in saving.

No.9