No. 307 Squadron Badge

After the German invasion of Poland in September 1939, many Polish airmen escaped to Britain. From 1940, Polish squadrons began to be formed within the RAF, playing an active role in the Battle of Britain.

On 24 August 1940, No. 307 (Lwów) Squadron, flying Boulton Paul Defiants, was formed. This badge shows an eagle owl – the squadron’s nickname – and a crescent moon, referencing its role as night fighters. By coincidence, the motto ‘Semper Fidelis’ (Always Faithful) appears on the city crests of both Lwów, the squadron’s home city, and Exeter, where the squadron was based for two years.