Janusz Meissner (

pen name A pen name, also called a ''nom de plume'' or a literary double, is a pseudonym (or, in some cases, a variant form of a real name) adopted by an author and printed on the title page or by-line of their works in place of their real name. A pen na ...

: "''porucznik'' Herbert,"

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

: "Flt Lt Herbert"; 21 January 1901 in

Warsaw Warsaw ( pl, Warszawa, ), officially the Capital City of Warsaw,, abbreviation: ''m.st. Warszawa'' is the capital and largest city of Poland. The metropolis stands on the River Vistula in east-central Poland, and its population is officia ...

– 28 February 1978 in

Kraków Kraków (), or Cracow, is the second-largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, the city dates back to the seventh century. Kraków was the official capital of Poland until 1596 ...

) was a Polish writer and journalist, and a pilot of Polish Air Force.

Life

In late 1919 Meissner completed pilot training at

's Lower Pilot School (''Niższa Szkoła Pilotów''), and in March 1920, at

Poznań Poznań () is a city on the River Warta in west-central Poland, within the Greater Poland region. The city is an important cultural and business centre, and one of Poland's most populous regions with many regional customs such as Saint John ...

's Higher Pilot School (''Wyższa Szkoła Pilotów''). From July 1920 he served in the Polish-Soviet War, in the newly formed ''Toruńska Eskadra Wywiadowcza'' (Toruń Reconnaissance Squadron) in the rank of pilot sergeant. For his combat flight of 16 July 1920, he was decorated with the – newly introduced –

Cross of Valor The Cross of Valour ( pl, Krzyż Walecznych) is a Polish military decoration. It was first introduced by the Council of National Defense on 11 August 1920. It is awarded to an individual who "has demonstrated deeds of valour and courage on the fi ...

, and promoted to lieutenant. After the Polish-Soviet War he participated in the preparations for the

Third Silesian Uprising The Silesian Uprisings (german: Aufstände in Oberschlesien, Polenaufstände, links=no; pl, Powstania śląskie, links=no) were a series of three uprisings from August 1919 to July 1921 in Upper Silesia, which was part of the Weimar Republic ...

and in actual terror operations beginning 2/3 May 1921, commanding a special-forces detachment of the Wawelberg Group. For his contribution to the success of the Uprising, he was decorated with the ''

Virtuti Militari The War Order of Virtuti Militari (Latin: ''"For Military Virtue"'', pl, Order Wojenny Virtuti Militari) is Poland's highest military decoration for heroism and courage in the face of the enemy at war. It was created in 1792 by Polish King Stan ...

'' (Poland's highest military decoration), 5th class, on 27 June 1922,Wesolowski, p. 296. and with the

Cross of Independence Cross of Independence ( pl, Krzyż Niepodległości) was second highest Polish military decorations between World Wars I and II. It was awarded to individuals who had fought actively for the independence of Poland, and was released in three cl ...

with Swords. After the Silesian Uprisings he was discharged from the army and returned to civilian life. After an unsuccessful attempt to become a businessman he returned to the military in 1922 and remained until 1946. He served as chief pilot in

Polish Air Force Academy The Polish Air Force Academy (Polish: ''Wyższa Szkoła Oficerska Sił Powietrznych'' (1994-2018); ''Lotnicza Akademia Wojskowa'' (since 2018)) is located in Dęblin, eastern Poland. Established in 1927 during the interwar period, the Polish Air ...

(''Wyższa Szkoła Oficerska Sił Powietrznych''). From 1944 he was an officer in the

RAF The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and ...

. In 1946 he returned to Poland to live in

Zakopane Zakopane ( Podhale Goral: ''Zokopane'') is a town in the extreme south of Poland, in the southern part of the Podhale region at the foot of the Tatra Mountains. From 1975 to 1998, it was part of Nowy Sącz Voivodeship; since 1999, it has been par ...

. In 1956 he moved to

, where he died. He left two sons: Andrzej and Jerzy.

Works

Books in Polish

Meissner is most known as the author of 48 popular books on flying, pilots, sea, pirates, sport, as well as hunting. * ''Szkoła orląt'' ("School of Eagles") * ''L jak Lucy'' (''L for Lucy'') * ''Żądło Genowefy'' (''G – for Genevieve'') * trilogy: ''Czarna bandera'', ''Czerwone krzyże'', ''Zielona brama'' ("Black Ensign", "Red Crosses", "Green Gate") * ''Trzy diamenty'' * ''Sześciu z "Daru Pomorza" ''

Movies

Meissner was a writer of: * Gwiaździsta eskadra (about flying) * Orzeł (about submarines) * Sprawa pilota Maresza (about flying) * Wraki (about diving)

Books in English

* * *

Notes

References

*Zdzislaw P. Wesolowski, ''The Order of the Virtuti Militari and Its Cavaliers, 1792–1992'', Miami, Hallmark Press, 1992, . 1901 births 1978 deaths Polish aviators Royal Air Force officers Polish people of the Polish–Soviet War Recipients of the Order of the Banner of Work Recipients of the Cross of Independence with Swords Military personnel from Warsaw Writers from Warsaw Burials at Salwator Cemetery {{Poland-bio-stub