Airmen are frequently said to have a cavalry fantasy. No wonder – the legend grew stories about flying under the bridge, stunts just above the ground. It is besides celebrated to say that a good pilot will fly even on the barn door. This worked on the imagination, and it was an impulse to effort to get skylit spurs. It was besides decided by the cavalryman Eugene Szaposhnikov.
The road to military aviation – and especially training in piloting – was closely targeted. Officers had to first complete the Air Under Diseases School in Dęblin, although there were cases of shifts from another types of weapons. On the another hand, the pilots-commissioned officers came from soldiers admitted to basic service in the air regiments. Among the young soldiers, the most ambitious and predisposed to air service were selected and then tested to choice the best. This regulation was waived for the first time in 1935, erstwhile a volunteer enlistment for aviation was announced among those serving in another weapons. There was a large response, and there were no shortage of bachelors among those who wanted to change their specialization.
One volunteer was from the capital, only nineteen years old Eugeniusz Szaposhnikov. He was born on 17 July 1916 in Warsaw. In 1930 he graduated from universal school, then educated in a commercial school for 2 years. The next 2 years – as he himself said – in the “Metal School”, where he learned in evening mode. After turning eighteen, he volunteered for the army and was admitted to it on March 1, 1935. He was assigned to the 2nd Independent Cavalry Brigade in Brody, where he was assigned to the communications platoon. However, the dreams of young Eugenius reached up to heaven, and erstwhile this anticipation of retraining arose, he was willing to usage it. It has been almost a year since the submission to air service itself, and many volunteers have forgotten their accession erstwhile in the summertime of 1936 the substance became clear: the first screening of future air combat adepts began.
In the elite squadron
On 16 August, Szaposhnikov, along with a group of another soldiers, was directed to Ustjanowa in Bieszczady, where the Military velocity Camp was located. There he had the chance for the first time to ascend into the air and independently steer the glider. Soldiers who took this course were sent to the air regiments spread across Poland. Since Szaposhnikov came from the capital, he was assigned to the 1st Air Regiment in Warsaw, where he was to undergo further stages of training. The day before, he was promoted to elder Private.
In the regimental Training Squadron he checked in as early as 14 September, began a basic piloting course. He did. Progress, so he was promoted to corporal on March 21, 1937. On 12 April, he started another course, which was held in the Regimental Pilot Training Squadron. erstwhile he finished it on July 30, he returned to the Training Squadron. This was related to the very good results of the work so far, which made Szaposhnikov designated to be trained on fighter aircraft, which was the dream of all pilot. Therefore, as of 16 August he participated in the 1st course of shooting from fighter aircraft at the Aviation School of Shooting and Bombardment (24 August the facility was renamed Pilot School) in Grudziądz. On 1 October, he was appointed a sub-commissioned overtime officer. Although the course continued until 15 November, it was officially moved from the Regimental Training Squadron to 111 Fighter Squadron on 3 November. This unit cultivated traditions of the 7th Aviation Squadron, fighting both in the Polish-Ukrainian War and Polish-Bolshevik. It was the only Polish unit in which volunteers from the United States served, so it was distinguished by its distinctive emblem, referring to Kościuszkowski Uprising and U.S. independency battles (a Krakka horn and 2 cross-scorts against the US flag). The squadron itself received the name of the hero of both countries, i.e. Tadeusz Kościuszko. She was frequently considered an elite squadron. Assignment to 111 Squadrons meant not only average work in the unit, but besides continuous upgrading of qualifications. Therefore, in 1938 Szaposhnikov took part in the 1st Regiment course of improvement of the preliminary fighter piloting, which finished on 6 June. In September he was at summertime exercises, during the alleged Volyn maneuvers. On 1 October, he was extended to overtime for another year. From May 6 to 26, 1939, he attended a fire school at the Trauguttovo training ground. On 30 May, he represented the 1st Air Force Regiment in Lviv at celebrations in honor of those who died during the fighting with Russian Bolshevik American airmen from the Tadeusz Kościuszko Squadron.
Under the sky of France
In September 1939 Szaposhnikov fought as part of the Pursuit Brigade covering Warsaw. On the first day of the war, he participated in a morning clash with a German expedition headed for the capital and most likely shot up 1 of the bombers. He then reported a squad victory, but the shooting was not officially recognized. On the same day, in the afternoon, he was included in a pilot squad who encountered a reconnaissance Do 17 of 4.(F)/121. This plane was shot down, but it was credited to Lieutenant Stefan Okrzea.
In 1939, Szaposhnikov made 21 combat flights and was awarded the conflict Cross for his participation in the battles in September. He distinguished "personal courage in the air fight against the enemy".
He evacuated to Romania and then made his way to France. In February 1940, he was assigned to the Polish First Fighter Squadron, in the key of Lieutenant Arsen Cebrzyński. On 3 May, he was promoted to plutonium. After the German attack on France, it was decided that Polish fighter pilots from 2 staff squadrons should be assigned to train to the allies' front units or to keys defending industrial centres. Szapoznikov was initially to enter Nantes' safety key, but yet on 19 May he left for the front in the key of Lieutenant Cebrzyński, with an allocation to GC II/6 stationed in Chartres. shortly the unit was sent to Châteauroux, where it was to be armed with Bloch MB.152 aircraft. erstwhile GC II/6 was to return to the front, on June 6, the city attacked He 111 of 5./KG 55. Against it both the aircraft of the unit and the machinery of the branch to defend the factories located here were launched. 1 of them piloted Szaposhników, who in a clash fired all the ammunition, and erstwhile he landed at the airport, took off again on another plane, however, he did not succeed.
On the evening of 15 June, Poles from GC II/6 performed their last combat flight during the French campaign. Lt. Cebrzyński described this task in his study on operations under the French sky: “A flight to sweeping in the Troyes – Estissac area. During patrolling, the French pass without attacking Henschel 126, which I attack along with the full key at about 4000 metres. Plane shot down and brought to the ground in the Estissac area. Above the ground we get into a strong device weapon fire. The task was performed about 50 km deep into the area occupied by the Germans. The aircraft that was shot down most likely belonged to the armored unit, which we found moving towards Auxerre." French historians attribute this triumph to six pilots, including 3 French.
They hit like candles...
Szapoznikov left France on 24 June, after embarking on the ship "Apapa" reached Britain. For his participation in the French campaign, he was given the Knights Cross for the second time. On 2 August, he was assigned to the first squad 303 Hunting DivisionWho cultivated pre-war traditions of 111 Fighter Squadron. It was 1 of the first 2 Polish fighter units created in the British Isles – both began fighting during the conflict of Britain. On August 24, Szaposhnikov made his first operating flight under the English sky – it was the cover of his own airport in Northolt.
Eugenius Szaposhnikov's first contact with the enemy was August 31. Six Hurricanes 303 Squadrons then participated in the interception of a bombing expedition headed for Croydon, Biggin Hill and Kenley airports, and Szaposhnikov flew in the key of the British unit commander – S/Ldr Ronald Kellett.
The Englishman rightly estimated that a lone attack by six fighters on bombers escorted by the German Messerschmitty would be a suicide mission. That's why his subordinate pilots hit the shield fighters and erstwhile they returned to the base, they reported six Me 109 being shot down. 1 of them wrote to his Saposhnikov account, who put it this way: “Everyone grabs his own, and I’m active in the left-winger. Before he knew it, I frightened him with a series, he's making a retreat. I do the same thing, but I don't request it, due to the fact that in a fewer seconds, they shine up. I'm a small higher than him, and it's losing him. Sam goes in the crosshairs and just squeezes, and that's it. He goes on his back and with a white streak he falls to the ground. That's how it ended very quickly, it's time to go back, but it's hard to find yourself alone. On my way back, I pass the jumper, but I gotta fly by him quietly.”
He was waiting for another gathering with Luftwaffe Szaposhnikov until September 7, erstwhile the German wave hit London for the first time in a large mass. Poles from Division 303 intercepted a German expedition in the vicinity of the capital of large Britain and utilizing the fact that the escort was taken over by the earlier British squadrons, they hit bombers that they recognized as Do 215. At that time, Eugenius won a double victory, which he described in the yearbook of the squadron: “The fever is only 20,000 feet distant and erstwhile you see an apnea. Oh, there's quite a few them today, fucking insolently long ranks, black as evil spirits. Over them like their own souls revolve Me 109. Short decision: we're beating the crap out of each other. We're moving to Do. 2 series and a beggar is on the ground. Dca key besides shoots, but Me do not give
Stop the attack. We gotta go. The swarm of machines after the first attack fell apart. I come back, 300 meters below, sunlit, with white noses flying Me. There's the sixth! Old Wencl's last way is about 200 metres behind his Lutheran friends. I pull the trigger and he walks his nose through the full series. Attack like a sleeve. 5 friends are trying to circular me. They were above us. This way Mr Wojtek is large – the wing on the building and to the ground. I run distant healthy and full – 1 more day more may get tired.”
He didn't gotta wait long for another gathering with Szaposhnikov. On 11 September, Division 303 intercepted a German bomb expedition in the Reigate area that headed for Tunbridge Wells. Poles hit bombers, but shortly an escort consisting of Me 109 and two-engine Me 110 was active in the fight. The second were the victims of Szaposhnikov, who described the fight as follows: “I took off yesterday as usual on the left wing and as usually in Lieutenant Henneberg’s key. After a alternatively long pointless search for the desired goal, we put off the parade between 2 waves of German viewers. Persistent as usual, so 4 Me 109s are pounding our heads. We fall apart, and we fall apart. I see, however, that there is no point in losing altitude and chasing a fugitive. So I'm hitting the point of the expedition. They're flying as usual. 2 Me 110 follow them. I walk into the tail of 1 and start shooting. due to the fact that I was close enough, I began to get rather roughed up in the sky and my series moved unwittingly on the second machine. I took it as a good sign, and I'm starting to shoot a akin strategy myself. I didn't let go until after they were quiet. Meanwhile, the right fell down with the burning engines, and after a fewer seconds of second, the same thing happened. Both Messerschmits hit the ground like candles. There were quite a few candles yesterday so much that I was reasoning about throwing more light bombs. Now I am carrying the intention of not bringing down the shootings, due to the fact that the biggest tragedy is that it is the outside of this innocent paper.”
Eugenius Szaposhnikov's aerial successes did not escape the attention of command. After reporting the shootings of 5 aircraft, the opponent's officer obtained an informal ace title, which was established during planet War I. As Squadron 303 pilots had many spectacular successes, the unit visited Northolt Chief Leader on September 18 General Władysław Sikorski. This gathering was an chance to give awards, and 1 of them – Silver Cross of the Virtuti Military War Order – hanging on Szaposhnikov's chest.
However, this was not the end of Eugenius' success. On 23 September in the Sheppey Island area, Division 303 attacked group Me 109, Szaposhnikov later reported the shooting of 1 of them. And as he pursued the Luftwaffe Szaposznikov bombers on September 27, he was attacked by a German aircraft and shot down another Me 109 close Brighton.
Overtired pilot
S/Ldr Ronald Kellett applied on 2 October for the honor of Szaposhnikov with a British discrimination for the enlisted officers – Distinguished Flying Medal. In his justification, he wrote: “Shaposhnikov took part in many aerial clashes in which he proved to be a pilot with exceptional skills and large courage. In the last month, he shot down six enemy planes, and another shot down probably. Being number 3 in the section, not only without fear, he attacked enemy aircraft in the advantage, but besides through his mastery and velocity in making decisions he frequently rescued his commander and his colleagues from the unit."
On 8 October, the candidacy was supported by the commander of the 11th A/V/M Hunting Group Keith Park, who wrote in his recommendation: “The Polish sergeant showed his large bravado. His mastery and fast assessment of the situation allowed in many cases erstwhile he was in section 3, to save the commander and another pilots. He shot down six enemy planes. Even in the spectacular successes of the squadron stands out with courage and energy in action."
The day before, on October 7, the Petty Officer fought his last fight during the conflict of Britain. Division 303 then flew with the Canadian 1st Squadron (RCAF) on patrol in the Kenley-Brooklands area. shortly on their right-hand side, they saw enemy planes: over 50 Me 109, which were higher, and they shortly attacked from a tallness advantage. The Germans hit the Canadians and Poles tried to catch them, but unsuccessfully. During the pursuit, however, they saw another group of Messerschmitts flying west to turn back to attack the 303 Squadron aircraft, utilizing a tallness advantage. The Hurricane pilots, however, were alert, managed to avoid the impact, but erstwhile they attempted to fight a wheel against their opponent, The Germans utilized the velocity of their machines and flew away. And only any airmen managed to shoot their opponent. 1 of them was Szaposhnikov, who wrote in a combat study erstwhile he returned to the base: “We met the Me 109 formation flying below us. abruptly under us I noticed another 3 Me 109, and behind them another two. I attacked 1 of them and after giving up 1 series the opponent began to gain height. I went after him and fired another 2 series, after which Messerschmitt started smoking, but managed to escape me. Then I found myself on the coast and met another 2 Me 109. I attacked 1 of them and after 1 series the opponent began diving. I fired 150 yards distant and although I saw neither smoke nor flames, the plane fell into the sea right at Brighton.”
At the end of 1940, the battles over Britain expired – intense action was not conducive to atmospheric conditions. In mid-October, Division 303 was moved to the rear to remainder after exhausting clashes with Luftwaffe. On November 1, Szaposhnikov was promoted to sergeant. On December 31, however, he was decorated with the previously requested 3 months Distinguished Flying Medal. During this time he besides received the Knights Cross for the 3rd time.
On May 12, 1941, Szaposhnikov retired to the School of Primary Pilotage in Montrose. On 1 November, he was promoted to officer level. In March 1942, he was removed from the list of fighter pilots. He was given the function of instructor, and the justification says: “A good pilot. It does not betray the desire to return to the combat unit." He returned to combat flight Szaposhnikov on December 14, 1943, and was then assigned to the 316th Hunting Division. A week later he moved to Division 303. Moments of horror survived on 8 April 1944: during an emergency take-off, his device collided with Lieutenant Ludwik Kraszewski's plane, but both pilots came out of the collision unharmed. On July 6, Szaposhnikov was appointed Squadron A commander in 303th Squadron. He was awarded the Knights Cross for the 4th time. On 14 November, he returned to school and again became an teacher at the primary pilot school. erstwhile the war ended, Szaposhnikov decided to stay in Britain. Like many airmen who did not return to Poland after the war, he decided to change the hard-to-pronounce name on Eugene Sharman. The reasons for this decision were among Poles who remained in the UK individual, but it was most likely about better blending into the environment.
He died on July 8, 1991 in Nottingham.
