Uniforms: Polish forces, post the surrender of Poland.

Kapitan Free Polish Infantry - khaki beret

After the defeat of Poland in 1939, the exiled Polish Army regrouped on both the eastern and western fronts with help from their Russian and British allies.

This Polish Infantry Kapitan wears British-issue M40 battle dress with a matching M42 khaki wool beret.

The Polish national eagle emblem embroidered on his beret patch, and the red "Poland" shoulder arcs, identify his nationality.

Pinned to his left pocket is the silver badge of the 2nd Artillery Group (Polish Armed Forces in the West) a badge he earned when acting as a Forward Observer/Infantry Liaison Officer.

The yellow-piped blue collar point tabs are for infantry personnel. His rank is indicated by the three silver bullion stars on the beret and shoulder straps.

He wears the exile-era Cross of Valor, along with ribbons for the Cross of Merit and the Cross of Soldiers from America, which was given to the many New-World Poles who volunteered to help defend and restore Poland's freedom. In 1989 the Polish Armed Forces in the West Military Action Cross was instituted and he was awarded one.

Kapitan Free Polish Armour in "rogatywka" cap

This Kapitan wears the unique Polish head-dress the four-cornered "rogatywka" or czapka, with a band of orange signifying armoured personnel. His uniform itself, of course, is British-issued M40 Battle dress, with M37 webbing belt.

The three stars on his cap and shoulders show his rank in the exiled Free Polish Army based in Britain.

The black-and-orange "pennon" collar tabs specify Horse Artillery, and the scorpion insignia mounted on the tabs identify him as a member of the famous Polish 4th Armoured "Scorpion" Regiment.

The metal winged arm with sword badge above his left pocket, and the matching patch on his left shoulder, are for the 2nd Armoured Brigade.

Below his pocket are the 33rd Light Artillery badge and the commemorative badge of the 2nd Polish Armoured Division. The mermaid patch on his left arm identifies the Polish II Corps, which was admitted as part of the British 8th Army after the Poles' gallant victory at Monte Cassino in July 1944.

He wears the British 8th Army shield proudly on his right arm. His ribbons are the Order Virtuti Militari, the exile Order Polonia Restituta, and the Monte Cassino Cross.

Kapitan, Polish 303 Squadron (RAF)

Here is a Kapitan of the exiled Polish Army Air Force flying with the RAF from a base in England.

Over his left breast pocket he wears the unique metal wings of a Polish Air Force pilot, displayed in the prescribed way as hanging by their silver chain from his collar.

His ribbon bar includes the Polish Cross of Valor and Silver Merit Cross as well as the RAF's Distinguished Flying Cross. On his pocket is the badge of the legendary Polish 303 Squadron of the RAF.

Made up of Poles eager to avenge the defeat of Poland a year earlier, the 303 Squadron became operational on August 31, 1940.

303 Squadron achieved the highest number of kills of the 66 Allied fighter squadrons engaged in the Battle of Britain, even though it didn't join the fighting until two months after the battle had begun.

No.303 Squadron was formed at Northolt on 22 July 1940, with Polish personnel evacuated from France and became operational with Hurricanes before the end of the month. It took part in the Battle of Britain until mid-October, when it was withdrawn to Yorkshire for defensive duties. In January 1941 it returned to Northolt to re-equip with Spitfires and began offensive sweeps over France. In July 1941 it moved to Speke for the defence of Merseyside returning south in October to resume offensive operations. In June 1942, No.303 moved to Lincolnshire and in February 1943, came back to the south for a period of sweeps.

In November 1943, the squadron was transferred to Northern Ireland where it provided protection for shipping arriving in the Clyde and Irish Sea areas. In April 1944, it joined Second TAF in readiness for the landings in Normandy but remained in England, moving to East Anglia to provide fighter escort for Bomber Command raids, and carry out armed reconnaissance missions over the Netherlands. In April 1945, No.303 converted to Mustangs but flew only two operations with these before the end of the war. On 26 November 1946, all flying ceased and the squadron disbanded on 11 December 1946.