Mieczyslaw Gorzula Polish Pilot Battle Of Britain WW2 LTD TO 30 Hand Signed FDC

STB08  This is stunning collectors official limited Battle Of Britain first day cover hand signed by Mieczyslaw Gorzula where the signature rests perfectly accompanying the special hand commemorative franks.  This comes with full lifetime COA as the signing has been officially certified by the publishers with full hallmarking and authenticity of the series further detailed in absolute brand new mint condition. You wont source better. This was limited to only 30 autographed and carries the gold metallic seal on the reverse confirming this individually numbered 30 from the series (see image 2).

Mieczyslaw Gorzula was born in Cracow on August 11th 1919 and joined the Polish Air Force in 1938.

Serving as an instructor when Germany invaded Poland, he was ordered to take his aircraft and students to Romania. They flew to a Romanian airfield well inside the country and surrendered their aircraft and weapons.

He managed to escape to France via Syria where he served in one of the Polish-manned units of the Armee de l'Air. After the French collapse he escaped once more overland through Spain and into Portugal, evading German agents in both countries. He eventually reached Cherbourg and sailed for England. Arriving in England he trained at 5 OTU before being commissioned and posted to 229 Squadron at Northolt. He then went to 607 Squadron at Turnhouse in October 1940

Gorzula was posted to 302 Squadron at Kenley on 16th May 1941. He moved to 87 Squadron at Colerne on 4th November but rejoined 302, then at Harrowbeer, on 16th March 1942. He was awarded the KW (gazetted 20th August 1942), posted to 58 OTU, Grangemouth on April 23rd 1943 as an instructor and awarded a Bar to the KW (gazetted 7th July 1943).

On 10th November 1943 Gorzula returned to operations with a posting to 315 Squadron at Ballyherbert as a Flight Commander. He went to 84 Group Support Unit on 8th May 1944, was with 306 Squadron for two months from 31st July after which he was attached to HQ Polish Air Force, Blackpool before joining 309 Squadron at Andrews Field on 17th November 1944 as a Flight Commander. Gorzula destroyed a Me262 on April 9th 1945.