There were no more passionate and determined airmen in Bomber Command than those who came to this country from Poland. After doing whatever they could to resist the German invasion of their motherland, they escaped by whatever means possible and made their way to England to offer their hearts and souls to the only country able to fight back. Initially underestimated by the British authorities, the Polish flyers soon demonstrated their credentials in terms of competence and professionalism, and their desire to avenge the rape of their homeland and liberate their nation from the grip of a ruthless and hated enemy knew no bounds. 300 Squadron (subject of a separate Profile in this series) was the first to begin operations, in the obsolete Fairey Battle in September 1940, before converting to the Wellington to be joined by the other three squadrons, 301 Squadron just before Christmas, and 304 and 305 Squadrons in April 1941. They went to war under the banner of 1 Group and impressed immediately with a passion for operations and a "press-on" attitude surpassed by none. The supply of Polish airmen was, of course, finite, and the resource had to be husbanded wisely to ensure a Polish presence in Bomber Command to the end. Much credit is due to the Polish authorities, who declined an offer to transfer to 4 Group, where its manpower would be quickly frittered away in Halifaxes, choosing instead to retain Wellingtons and focus to a large extent on mining operations. Inevitably, the numbers dwindled, and 301 Squadron was disbanded in 1943, by which time 304 Squadron had long since transferred to Coastal Command. 305 Squadron also departed Bomber Command to join the 2nd Tactical Air Force in the autumn of 1943, leaving 300 Squadron to see out the war, from March 1944 as a Lancaster unit.