BNP's Spitfire was part of Polish squadron
A BNP Euro election leaflet which opposes “mass immigration” shows a picture of a Second World War Spitfire - flown by a pilot who happens to be Polish.
The leaflet was delivered earlier this week through the St Andrew’s home of semi-retired computer expert John Beales who regards military aviation as a hobby.
The leaflet says: “It’s not racist to oppose mass immigration”.
Mr Beales, 61, said the markings on the plane showed that it was flown by Jan Zumbach, CRRT commander of the legendary 303 ‘Kosciuszko’ Squadron comprised of Polish pilots who were rescued from France shortly before Nazi occupation.
Mr Beales said: “Presumably, if the BNP had been around at the time they would have opposed the employment of these Polish airmen too.”
BNP party chiefs have defended their use of the image and insisted they knew all about the background.
They say the plane is a symbol of the Battle of Britain and represents the economic struggle the country is facing at the moment.
A spokesman said: "It's not like the BNP are against Polish people as a nation. We are against Polish people coming over here and undercutting British workers.”
During the Battle of Britain in 1940, the Poles shot down 203 Luftwaffe aircraft – around 12 per cent of total German losses.
Mr Beales said the Spitfire was obviously the plane used by Zumbach because of the Donald Duck motif which can clearly seen on the fuselage in front of the cockpit.
Other markings on the nosecowl and the ‘RF’ lettering proved that the plane was used by 303 Squadron from various Northolt, Kirton-in-Lindsey, Coltishall and other RAF stations in Britain between 1941 and 1945.
303 Squadron was the most effective Polish squadron in the war and iIts pilots were the only representatives of the Polish Army invited to the London Victory Parade in 1946. They refused as no other Polish units were invited.
8 Comments
by Katie, Bristol
Saturday, May 30 2009, 8:13AM
“And the "Village People" workers on the BNP leaflet were photographed in Illinois! Just shows how thick the BNP are.
That said, it is vitally important to get out and vote next Thursday or the Proportional Representation system will make sure they get a lot of seats in Europe, where they will get to mix with really nasty proper grown-up Fascist thugs from Eastern Europe and the former East Germany.
So go and vote for whichever mainstream party revolts you the least and make sure you're not represented in Europe by the thick burks that put a Polish spitfire and American workers on their election leaflets.”
by Bengy, Banjo
Friday, May 29 2009, 11:39PM
“I gunna vot forr teh BNP.”
by Clive Dunn, Bristol
Friday, May 29 2009, 5:21PM
“I used to work at a model shop in Barnet during the early 1960's and a young Mr Griffin used to pop in and buy airfix planes almost every weekend (always the same planes, the Junkers Ju 87 or Stuka, not spitfires). I used to think, that boy will be someone one day.
It might not be the same person but if it is, he must have thousand of little airfix airplanes by now after sitting in his room making them for 40 odd years.
I think only North Korea could boast a squadron like that nowadays. I wouldn't make sense to vote for the green party if you wanted Britain (sorry England) protected.”
by Mickey, bristol
Friday, May 29 2009, 4:49PM
“'so what' sums up the pathetic nature and apathy of BNP supporters like Gerry. As well as racism. Is not the point lost on you Gerry? Poles coming over here to fight and die in teh battle of britain? in british planes? and the BNP would want them removed? even though they come and do menial jobs as a rule that the local peasants and chavs are not willing too? Do you not see it? nope? not much going on upstairs is there chap?”
by Ben, Brislington
Friday, May 29 2009, 3:27PM
“I contacted my local BNP member about the bin collection problem and he said the BNP would fly spitfires down the street and shoot garbage away, thus saving us valuable rates money. If they have spitfires, they have my vote.”
by Adrian, bristol
Friday, May 29 2009, 11:44AM
“Must be a slow news day”
by gerry, bristol
Friday, May 29 2009, 7:26AM
“So what .”
by Brian, Bristol
Friday, May 29 2009, 7:25AM
“Congratulations on reporting something that was in the Daily Mail on May 22nd.”