KELLETT, Ronald G (#29)

29 August 2020

#29

Wing Commander Ronald G KELLETT DSO DFC VM AE*

Royal Air Force

13 September 1909 – 12 November 1998

“the pilots of No. 303 Squadron were not only the best but would also see me through any troubles… no squadron from the Empire could equal the courage and skill of our pilots, no bombing could daunt our airmen.”

Ronald Gustave Kellett, was an English flying ace in the Second World War. In the Battle of Britain who had the privilege to command the legendary Polish 303 Squadron which shot down more German planes than any other RAF squadron – despite not joining the battle until August, two months after it had begun.

The Battle Colours were sewn in secret in occupied Poland, smuggled to Britain, and a coded message relayed back to let the women who had made the Battle Colours that they had been awarded.

ROYAL AIR FORCE BOMBER COMMAND, 1939-1941. (C 439) Wing Commander Richard Kellett, Commanding Officer of No. 149 Squadron RAF, seated at his desk at Mildenhall, Cambridgeshire.

He earned a Distinguished Service Order for his leadership at this time. The citation reads:

Squadron Leader Kellett as commander of his squadron has built up and trained his personnel to such a fine fighting pitch that no fewer than 113 enemy aircraft have been destroyed in the space of one month, with very few casualties sustained by his squadron. He has frequently led the wing formation with judgment and success. The gallantry and fine leadership displayed by Squadron Leader Kellett have proved an inspiring example.

THE POLISH AIR FORCE IN THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN (HU 128190) Squadron Leader Ronald Kellett, Squadron Leader John A. Kent Kentowski and Squadron Leader Athol Forbes, all former commanding officers of No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron, smiling cheerfully after being decorated with the Virtuti Militari by General Wladyslaw Sikorski. Hotel Rubens, London, 24 December 1940. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205398876

Kellett also earned a Distinguished Flying Cross at this time with the citation reading:

By his excellent example and personality this officer has been largely responsible for the success of his squadron which in one week destroyed thirty-three enemy aircraft, of which Squadron Leader Kellett has destroyed three. His leadership and determination in attacking superior numbers of enemy aircraft have instilled the greatest confidence in the other pilots of his squadron.

He himself wrote of this time and the Polish fighters under his command: “We fought together through the great offensive of 1940 and I then knew that the pilots of No. 303 Squadron were not only the best but would also see me through any troubles. In the month of September, 303 Squadron was on top — no squadron from the Empire could equal the courage and skill of our pilots, no bombing could daunt our airmen.”

Kellett with some of the legendary Polish pilots of No. 303 Squadron

Later, he served in the defence of the docks at Liverpool.

THE POLISH AIR FORCE IN BRITAIN, 1940-1947 (CH 5512) Pilots of No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron ‘on the alert’ waiting for a call in dispersal huts at RAF Northolt. Airman lying on a bed is Flying Officer Eugeniusz Horbaczewski. Note the board with names of fliers assigned to specific Squadron flights and aircraft. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205235068

He was rested from operations at the end of 1942. With a tally of kills for the war at 5 confirmed 2 probable and 1 damaged, Kellett held the status of a flying ace.

He then became involved in pilot training and in 1943 was sent to Turkey to teach at the Turkish Air Force staff college in Ankara.” (Michael J Hawkins)