Draft:No. 25 (Polish) Elementary Flying Training School RAF

No. 25 (Polish) Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS) was part of the British Royal Air Force’s (RAF) training system during World War II, created specifically for Polish pilots who had escaped to the UK after the fall of Poland in 1939. It was located in Peterborough, England, and was one of several RAF schools established to train Allied pilots, especially those from occupied countries.

This school was essential for preparing Polish pilots for combat in the RAF and other Allied air forces. Initially, the Polish pilots received basic training at this EFTS before moving on to advanced training facilities, where they learned to fly fighter and bomber aircraft.

The school used a range of training aircraft, including the de Havilland Tiger Moth biplanes, which were common in early pilot training due to their simplicity and ease of handling. Many of these Polish pilots went on to serve in fighter squadrons, such as the famous No. 303 (Polish) Squadron, and were renowned for their bravery and skill in the Battle of Britain and later air operations over Europe.

No. 25 (Polish) EFTS operated until the latter part of the war, when training demands changed, and many RAF training units were restructured or deactivated. The contribution of this and other Polish training units left a lasting impact on the Allied war effort and on the legacy of Polish airmen who fought alongside the RAF.