Lewandowski Edward

Edward Lewandowski (1900–1960) – colonel pilot of the Polish Army, officer of the Polish Air Force in Great Britain, deputy aviation commander at the Ministry of Military Affairs, associated with the 2nd Aviation Regiment in Kraków. Son of Franciszek and Helena née Nawrot. From 1903 he attended the Grammar School in Pułtusk, from which he was expelled in 1905 for participating in a school strike. He then continued his education at the Gen. Paweł Chrzanowski Philological Grammar School in Warsaw. In 1911 he passed his school-leaving examination and began studying mechanical engineering at the Technische Universität Graz (four semesters). In 1914 he joined the Riflemen’s Association “Strzelec”. From 1916 he was active in the Polish Military Organisation, and in 1917 he served in the Polish Legions. In July 1917 he was interned at Szczypiorno, from where he returned to Warsaw in November of the same year. After 1918 he co-created the foundations of Polish Army aviation, serving as an instructor and aviation mechanic. In 1919 he graduated from the French Pilot School in Warsaw (3rd in ranking), followed by a course at the Advanced Piloting School at Ławica. From 1920 he participated in the Polish-Bolshevik War in the 4th Wielkopolska Squadron, where he flew combat and ground-attack sorties, including during the defence of Lwów. In 1921 he was confirmed at the rank of lieutenant. From 1921 to 1923 he served as technical officer of the 3rd Aviation Regiment, and then as commander of the 15th Fighter Squadron. In subsequent years he worked in technical commissions and aviation supply structures. In 1930 he completed a course at the Higher War School and was promoted to lieutenant colonel. In 1931 he assumed command of the 2nd Aviation Regiment in Kraków, which he held until 1935, after which he was promoted to colonel. In 1939 he served as deputy aviation commander at the Ministry of Military Affairs. In September 1939 he was evacuated through Lwów and Zaleszczyki to Romania, then through France to Greece and the Middle East. From 1941 he served in the Polish Air Force in the Middle East, and subsequently in RAF and PAF structures in Great Britain (RAF P-7730), where he held training and staff positions. After the war he served on PAF commissions and RAF liaison structures. He was demobilised in 1949. He remained in exile in Great Britain. He died on 4 February 1960 and was buried at Fulham New Cemetery in London.