Date of birth:

April 14th, 1911 (Bobrka, Poland)

Date of death:

March 13th, 1969 (Surbiton/Kingston, Great Britain)

Service number:

P-1390

Nationality:

Polish

Career:
1934: Officers School Deblin;
?: 1st Air Regiment;
?: Officers School Deblin;
?: 112th Fighter Squadron;
1938: Instructor, Advanced Air School, Grudziadz;
1940: Armee de l'Air;
August 21st, 1940: No. 303 Squadron;
May 22nd, 1941: No. 303 Squadron Operations Room;
July 9th, 1941: Flight Commander No. 303 Squadron;
December 4th, 1941: Instructor No. 58 Operational Training Unit;
April 7th, 1942: Flight Commander No. 303 Squadron;
May 6th, 1942: Commanding Officer No. 303 Squadron;
May 27th, 1942: Commanding Officer No. 308 (City of Krakow) Squadron;
February 13th, 1943: Liaison Officer No. 12 Group;
June 29th, 1943: Commanding Officer No. 133 (Polish) Wing;
October 4th, 1943: Commanding Officer No. 18 Wing;
February 15th, 1944: HQ No. 11 Group;
April 24th, 1944: HQ ADGB;
January 8th, 1945: No. 61 Operational Training Unit;
July 18th, 1945: RAF Coltishall;
January 15th, 1947: Senior Admin Officer No. 5 RU.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Unit:

No. 303 (Kosciuszko) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

February 1st, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Unit:

No. 303 (Kosciuszko) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

February 1st, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Unit:

No. 308 (Krakow) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

December 15th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Unit:

No. 18 Wing, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

February 15th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Unit:

No. 18 Wing, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

February 15th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Wing Commander

Unit:

No. 308 (Krakow) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

April 15th, 1944

"This officer has flown 126 hours on operational flying including 14 Circuses, 19 Ramrods and 18 Rodeos. He has destroyed three enemy aircraft and probably destroyed one and his zeal and courage have at all times been an inspiration to the other pilots of his squadron.
In a recent operation No 308 Squadron under the command of Wing Commander Żak, while acting as close escort to anumber of bombers over France became separated from the remainder of the fighter force. When they were repeatedly attacked by a greatly superior force of enemy fighters resulting in fierce and prolonged combats.
It was largely due to Wing Commander Żak's leadership and courage that the only casualties inflicted on the bombers were one lost and one damaged."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

"Battle of Britain" clasp

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• Photo 1: Tom MacNeill
• - The Battle of Britain London Monument
  - medals and badges, framed (OMD 8087)
  - British Awards for Polish Soldiers - Page 34