In September 1939  two air forces from different historical epochs fought over Poland. Mighty German Luftwaffe, equipped with the most modern airplanes in the world met the dispersed Polish squadrons, equipped with obsolete fighters. Polish airmen courageously fought with numerous and better armed enemy. They achieved 147 aircraft “confirmed" kills.
After Poland's fall, the airmen came to France, passing through different European countries. During the French campaign only one Polish squadron (1/145 GC Polonaise de Varsovie) fought.  Also the so-called “Montpellier group" and “chimney sections" flew combat patrols over military objects. Polish fighters shot 50 Luftwaffe aircraft in France. After the defeat of France, the Polish airmen had only one last “Island of Hope" – the Great Britain.