Capt. observer
Piotr Dudziński (1899–1974) was a colonel observer of the Polish Army, Knight of the Virtuti Militari Order, a participant in the Polish-Bolshevik War and World War II. He was born on 4 June 1899 in Lwów. He began his military service after Poland regained its independence in 1918, taking part in the Polish-Bolshevik War. After its end he continued to serve in the Polish Army, undergoing officer training and assuming successive positions in ground and aviation units. In 1922, after being verified in the rank of lieutenant, he was assigned to the 1st Aviation Regiment in Warsaw, and then to the 2nd Aviation Regiment in Kraków. In the interwar period he completed a piloting course in Bydgoszcz and served in aviation units associated with, among others, the 6th and 2nd Aviation Regiments. In 1927 he assumed command of the 64th Line Squadron, and in 1929 he organised and commanded the 63rd Cooperation Squadron. He also participated in the international Challenge aviation competitions of 1930 and 1934. In 1932 he completed an advanced piloting course at the Higher Pilots’ School in Grudziądz, after which he assumed the position of commandant of that school, continuing training activities in Dęblin after its relocation. After the outbreak of World War II he made his way to France and then to Great Britain, where he joined the Polish Air Force within the RAF. In 1942 he assumed command of No. 304 Bomber Squadron, participating in combat operations over occupied Europe. After the war he remained in exile in Great Britain, where he died on 22 February 1974 in London.
