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: "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 official ...

– 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 159 ...

) 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 Joh ...

'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, and promoted to lieutenant. After the Polish-Soviet War he participated in the preparations for the Third Silesian Uprising 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'' (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 cla ...

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. In 1946 he returned to Poland to live in Zakopane. 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 ''Gwiaździsta eskadra'' (''The Starry Squadron'') is a lost 1930 Polish war film directed by Leonard Buczkowski. Shot with the co-operation of the Polish army, it was the most expensive Polish film made before World War II. It was first release ...

(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