303 POLISH FIGHER SQUADRON303 ("Ko ciuszko") Polish Fighter Squadron was one of the most famous and highest scoring RAF squadrons of

WW2. It was formed on 2nd August 1940 from Polish veterans of 1939, as the successor to a well-known Polish-Soviet war and mid-war period escadrille. 303 officially entered combat on the 31st of August 1940.

Kosciuszko Squadron is famous for claiming the highest number of enemy kills (126) during the Battle of Britain of all fighter squadrons when in operation through September to 11 October 1940. Although these numbers are probably overestimated, as with virtually all fighter units, according to sources 303 squadron was certainly the best Hurricane equipped squadron. During 194143, 303 Squadron flew on Fighter Command's offensive sweeps over North West Europe, flying various marks of Spitfire. It also took part in the infamous Operation Jubilee, when it was again the best scoring unit. After D-Day, the squadron remained with "Air Defence Great Britain", moving to RAF Coltishall for operations over Holland. The squadron was re-equipped with Mustang IVs in April 1945. As with most Polish units in the West, it was disbanded in late 1946 and many of its pilots and ground crews stayed in exile instead of returning to their communist-owned homeland.

Its legend started from the "Dywizjon 303" ('303 squadron') wartime book, written in 1942, describing the squadron's history during the Battle of Britain, but there are many more publications about it. Among the best is the excellent Jan Zumbach autobiography "Mister Brown: Aventures dans le ciel" (eng. "On Wings of War: My Life as a Pilot Adventurer", pol. "Ostatnia walka: Moje ycie jako lotnika, przemytnika i poszukiwacza przygd"), which shows the squadron in a truer, less heroic and pompous way.

Using 303 squadron303 Squadron may be used as part of the RAF forces between 1940 and 1945, in the European theatre of war. In the years 1940-1941 it used Hurricane Is, in years 1941-43 Spitfires (early), in years 1943-45 Spitfires (late) and in 1945 Mustang IVs. You may include from one to twelve aircraft from one type only, and all planes are 5 points more expensive than normal. If doing this, all aircraft of the selected type have to come from 303 Squadron.

Special rules

Crew skillCrew skill on the members of 303 is 3+.

First to fight!Polish fighter pilots were known for getting very close before opening fire. 303 may re-roll any failed 'to damage' rolls when shooting enemy planes at short range.

Sturmovik Commander RAF 303 Squadron rules ver. 1.500 (01,09.2009) 1/2

303TH PILOT RULESDesigner's note: Despite nearly every pilot history in 303 squadron deserving his own book, I decided to include separate rules for two of them: Jan Zumbach and Josef Frantiek.

JAN ZUMBACHA pilot, soldier, smuggler, disco-owner, mercenary and adventurer, Jan Zumbach was one of the most interesting

figures in Polish military history. Born in 1915 in Poland as the son of Swiss parents, he joined the Polish Army in 1934, which was required before becoming an airman at the time, and was transferred to the Polish Air Force in 1936. After the fall of Poland in 1939, he escaped to France and in 1940 to Great Britain, where he fought in 303 squadron before becoming its leader from May 19, 1942, until November 30, 1943 when he was transferred to staff duties. He returned to combat duty for a short period of time in 1944, as commander of 2nd Polish Air Wing.

From January 30th he was transferred to HQ for a tour of duty. When visiting units under his command, after a navigational error, he was forced to land in enemy territory and spent the final month of the war as a prisoner of war.Zumbach was demobilised in October 1946 but continued to fly for a living. Under a Swiss passport, he flew contraband around Southern Europe and the Middle East. He served as a mercenary in Biafra and Katanga during the unrest of 1960'. He died 3rd January 1986, in France, and was buried at Pow zki Military Cemetery in Warsaw, Poland.

You may field Jan Zumbach as part of 303 squadron from 1940 to 1944 at an extra 5 points. His crew skill is 2+ and, in addition to the standard squadron rules, he has the 'Lucky One' pilot ability.

Lucky OneThe pilot may always re-roll a failed dangerous situation test. In addition, he may re-roll the crew skill to bail out, and the dice determining pilot fate after bailing out.

JOSEF FRANTIEK Josef Frantiek fought on the Polish side in 1939 and, like many other Polish pilots in France campaign (he

claimed that he scored 11 kills serving Armee de l'Air), he finally got to Great Britain. Josef Frantiek was known for waging his own private war - accompanying the squadron into the air but peeling off to fly a lone patrol over Kent, patrolling an area through which he knew German aircraft being intercepted would fly on their way back to base. He scored 17 confirmed kills and one probable. He died on October 8, 1940, when Frantiek's Hurricane crashed in Ewell in unknown circumstances.

In 'Squadron 303' Josef Frantiek was described as mysterious and a grim-heroic man, but Jan Zumbach described him as a rather arrogant and ill-disciplined figure. Whatever his character was, he was one of the highest scoring airmen during the Battle of Britain.

Josef Frantiek may be fielded in 303rd squadron in 1940 during the Battle of Britain for an extra 15 points. His crew skill is 2+ and, in addition to regular squadron rules, he has the 'Madcap' pilot ability and the 'Lone wolf' tactical ability. Note: Frantiek has to use the 'Lone Wolf' ability and may not be fielded normally.

MadcapOnce per game, the pilot may try to perform two manoeuvres in the turn by passing a crew skill test. If successful, the player may choose the subsequent manoeuvre and perform it during the plane's remaining move.

Lone wolfThe plane may enter the battle from any table edge in the second turn, but must be at least 12 from any enemy planes and 18 from the mission target (when playing as attacker).

Sturmovik Commander RAF 303 Squadron rules ver. 1.500 (01,09.2009) 2/2