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| Poland fans to unveil flag commemorating WWII pilots | Poland fans to unveil flag commemorating WWII pilots |
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| Poland football fans plan to unveil a flag at the World Cup qualifying match against England commemorating Polish pilots' role in the Battle of Britain. | Poland football fans plan to unveil a flag at the World Cup qualifying match against England commemorating Polish pilots' role in the Battle of Britain. |
| The Polish checkerboard design of the 20m x 20m (65ft x 65ft) flag is the symbol of the Polish air force. | The Polish checkerboard design of the 20m x 20m (65ft x 65ft) flag is the symbol of the Polish air force. |
| Polish squadron 303 was the most successful fighter command unit in the Battle of Britain in 1940, shooting down 126 German aircraft in 42 days. | Polish squadron 303 was the most successful fighter command unit in the Battle of Britain in 1940, shooting down 126 German aircraft in 42 days. |
| Eighteen thousand Poland fans will be at Wembley for Tuesday's match. | Eighteen thousand Poland fans will be at Wembley for Tuesday's match. |
| The flag will be passed over the heads of the supporters during the game. | The flag will be passed over the heads of the supporters during the game. |
| Jake Smolarek, from the charity organisation Hurricane of Hearts who organised the flag, said the match represented a perfect time to "honour" the Polish pilots and "to show that we have got on well with British people for many many years". | Jake Smolarek, from the charity organisation Hurricane of Hearts who organised the flag, said the match represented a perfect time to "honour" the Polish pilots and "to show that we have got on well with British people for many many years". |
| He said the English FA had been very helpful while the group was organising the flag. | He said the English FA had been very helpful while the group was organising the flag. |
| 'Magnificent' Poles | 'Magnificent' Poles |
| The checkerboard design was painted on Hurricane and Spitfire aircraft flown by Polish pilots during World War Two and has continued to be used since. | |
| Poles had been accepted into RAF squadrons after the shortage of trained pilots became critical. | Poles had been accepted into RAF squadrons after the shortage of trained pilots became critical. |
| Two Polish units - numbers 302 and 303 - were formed and they went on to shoot down 203 enemy aircraft. Twenty-nine Polish pilots were killed. | Two Polish units - numbers 302 and 303 - were formed and they went on to shoot down 203 enemy aircraft. Twenty-nine Polish pilots were killed. |
| According to the RAF museum's website, Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding, who led Fighter Command, wrote: "Had it not been for the magnificent material contributed by the Polish squadrons and their unsurpassed gallantry, I hesitate to say that the outcome of the Battle would have been the same." | According to the RAF museum's website, Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding, who led Fighter Command, wrote: "Had it not been for the magnificent material contributed by the Polish squadrons and their unsurpassed gallantry, I hesitate to say that the outcome of the Battle would have been the same." |
| Mr Smolarek said there had been a good response to the flag in Poland, where people are proud of their pilots who had flown with the British during World War Two with such distinction. | Mr Smolarek said there had been a good response to the flag in Poland, where people are proud of their pilots who had flown with the British during World War Two with such distinction. |
| The flag is also meant to symbolise other joint campaigns between Britain and Poland during the war. | The flag is also meant to symbolise other joint campaigns between Britain and Poland during the war. |
| Mr Smolarek, who has lived in London for nine years, said the flag was also a thank you from Poles that they can be in England and shows what they have contributed to Britain in the past and still continue to do. | Mr Smolarek, who has lived in London for nine years, said the flag was also a thank you from Poles that they can be in England and shows what they have contributed to Britain in the past and still continue to do. |
| The 2011 census showed there were 579,000 Polish-born residents living in England and Wales. | The 2011 census showed there were 579,000 Polish-born residents living in England and Wales. |
| England must beat Poland to guarantee progress to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. | England must beat Poland to guarantee progress to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. |