2nd Lt. pilot
Włodzimierz Eugeniusz Karwowski (1912–1978). Second lieutenant pilot of the Polish Army, officer of the Polish Air Force, fighter ace, commander of No. 306 “Toruń” Polish Fighter Squadron. Son of Mikołaj and Aniela née Chodnikiewicz. He graduated from the Stefan Żeromski State Grammar School for Boys in Kielce, where he passed his school-leaving examination in 1934. He then completed a general course at the Infantry Officer Cadet School in Różan, after which in 1935 he entered the Aviation Officer Cadet School in Dęblin, graduating on 15 October 1937 with a commission as second lieutenant. During this period he changed his surname from Chłopek to Karwowski. After completing training he was assigned to the 133rd Fighter Squadron of the 3rd Aviation Regiment in Poznań. He was also affiliated with the 2nd Aviation Regiment in Kraków. Following the disbandment of the squadron in 1937 he served as an instructor at the Aviation Officer Cadet School in Dęblin. After the outbreak of World War II he evacuated through Romania, Yugoslavia and Greece to France, where he trained on MS.406 aircraft. In March 1940 he joined French Fighter Group II/6, claiming two aerial victories over German aircraft. After the fall of France he made his way to Great Britain, where on 23 July 1940 he was assigned to No. 302 “Poznań” Polish Fighter Squadron. He took part in the Battle of Britain, shooting down a German Ju 88 bomber on 18 September 1940. In 1941 he assumed command of “B” Flight in No. 302 Squadron, then served in No. 316 “Warsaw” Polish Fighter Squadron, and from 1943 commanded No. 306 “Toruń” Polish Fighter Squadron. After the war he served as an instructor in RAF units, including the 61 Operational Training Unit and the Central Gunnery School. In 1947 he left the service with the rank of major (Polish Air Force) and Flight Lieutenant RAF. He settled in New Zealand, where he ran a farm. He died on 29 May 1978 in Auckland and was buried at Purewa Cemetery.
