Łask 2008-01-08
10th Fighter Aviation Regiment.
1944 - 1946
10th Fighter Aviation Regiment in Łask.
1968 –1999
Formation of the 10th PLM.
Soviet plans during World War II included the creation of the Polish Aviation Association as the 3rd Fighter-Bomber Aviation Division. Due to the lack of appropriate equipment, the 3rd Fighter Aviation Division was formed, consisting of three fighter regiments, which were given the designations 9. PLM, 10. PLM, 11. PLM. The basis was the operational order of the Supreme Command of the Soviet Army of September 7, 1944, and the Executive Order of the General Staff of the Soviet Army, which mentioned the establishment of the 1st Mixed Aviation Corps. The place of formation was the settlement of Karlovka in Ukraine, near the cities of Kharkov and Kazan. The Corps was created in the period from September 1944 to January 1945.
The corps included the 3rd DLM (fighter aviation division). Its formation began on September 20, 1944, on the basis of the 10th BSz-T (training brigade) from the 2nd AL. (air army). The 3rd DLM included the following regiments; 9. PLM, 10. PLM (the hero of this chapter), 11. PLM. These regiments were initially stationed in Karłówka, approximately 100 km south-west of Kharkov. They received fighter planes from the 248th PLM from Krasnograd, which at that time had incomplete personnel. Lieutenant Colonel Vasyl Dobraszov was appointed commander of the division. On September 17, 1944, training of pilots from the 9th PLM began at the Krasnogród airport, and pilots from the 10th PLM and 11th PLM began at the Karlovka airport. The basic aircraft was the Yak-1 fighter. Readiness to start hostilities was achieved at the beginning of 1945, and on January 20, 1945, the division began to be based in Poland, although the order of the CCCP Air Commander was issued only on January 24, 1945.
The Muscovites took great care to ensure that the Poles did not fight on the territory of the Eastern Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and they started fighting only after crossing the Bug River. The 3rd DLM was ordered to be stationed at the airport of the Kutno junction. Sochaczew and Kutno area. The redeployment was carried out in several air and wheeled phases and was completed in March 1945. The regiments were then moved west closer to the front. The 10th PLM took an active part in the fighting for Berlin.
The fighting had not yet subsided, and the 3rd Brandenburg DLM with its three regiments (9th PLM, 10th PLM, 11th PLM) received the order to return to Poland by being based at the Kutno junction. After some time, the 10th PLM was transferred to Krakow to the Czyżyny airfield.
In 1946, regiments; The 9th PLM, 10th PLM, 11th PLM were subordinated directly to the Air Force Command on January 24, 1946. By order of the Supreme Commander of the Polish Army, the 1st Fighter Aviation Division with its composition was established; 1. PLM in Warsaw, 2. PLM in Kraków (previous 10. PLM), 3. PLM (previous 11. PLM).
Reactivation of the 10th PLM in Łask. 1968 – 1999.
At the beginning of 1968, another reorganization of military aviation took place. Operational Aviation was merged with the Aviation Inspectorate to create DWLot (air force command) based in Poznań. Due to this, regiments were moved and new ones were established. It was also a period in the Polish Army in which the numbering and naming of "peacetime" air units in connection with "wartime" air units was restored, so that there would be no doubt as to the Soviet roots of the Polish People's Army.
It was in the mid-1960s that the 2nd PLM in Czyżyny, due to its location between two large cities, Krakow and Nowa Huta, began to be burdensome for the large agglomeration. Due to the changes in the Polish Aviation, it was disbanded and the equipment and staff were transferred to the airport in Łask. There, the formation of a new unit began, which inherited the traditions and name of the 10th PLM during the war.
In 1968, the 10th PLM was fully formed. It was based at the airport in Łask, as a unit of Military Unit. 1158. It was subordinated to the WOPK Command and was in the structures of the 1st Corps together with the 1st PLM from Mińsk Mazowiecki, the 13th PLM from Łęczyca and the 42nd Air Communication and Transport Squadron.
In 1972, the 13th PLM from Łęczyca was removed from the 1st Corps and disbanded. The reason for its disbandment was the numerous introduction of helicopters into service. Units equipped with helicopters began to be based at the Łęczyca airport. In this composition, the 1st OPK Corps (1. PLM, 10. PLM, 42. ELŁ-T) survived until 1999, when Poland joined NATO and a new aviation structure was organized. In 2000, the 10th PLM became the 10th ELT (tactical aviation squadron).
Airplanes in Łask.
The basic type of fighter used in Łask was the MiG-21. Below are the planes that were definitely used in the 10th PLM in Łask: PF 1506 / 761506, 1965. From April 1968, in stock of the 10th PLM in Łask. PF 1608 / 761608, 1965. From April 1968, in stock of the 10th PLM in Łask. PF 1610 / 761610, 1965. From April 1968, in stock of the 10th PLM in Łask. PF 1614 / 761614, 1965. From April 1968, in stock of the 10th PLM in Łask. PF 1708 / 761708, 1965. From April 1968, in stock of the 10th PLM in Łask. PF 1712 / 761712, 1965. From April 1968, in stock of the 10th PLM in Łask. There were 6 MiG-21 PF aircraft. The PF version aircraft served in the 10th PLM in Łask until 1989 at the latest.
Known MiG-21 PFM planes in the 10th PLM in Łask: PFM 4013 / 94 A 4013 5/08/1966 Used in 40 PLM Świdwin or 41 PLM Malbork. Since 1987 in 10 PLM in Łask. PFM 4106 / 94 A 4106 August 5, 1966 Used in 40 PLM Świdwin or 41 PLM Malbork. Used in 10 PLM and later 10 ELT in Łask. After finishing his service in the museum at the Poznań Citadel. PFM 4203 / 94 A 4203 August 5, 1966 Since 1987 in 10 PLM in Łask. PFM 7810 / 94 N 7810 1968-1969 They served in the 2nd PLM in Goleniów. Since 1989 in 10 PLM in Łask. PFM 7811 / 94 N 7812 1968-1969 They served in the 2nd PLM in Goleniów. Since 1989 in 10 PLM in Łask. PFM 7812 / 94 N 7812 1968-1969 They served in the 2nd PLM in Goleniów. Since 1989 in 10 PLM in Łask. PFM 0702 / 94 A 0702 1968 Used in 10 PLM Łask.
On January 15, 1990, together with several other MiG-21 PFM aircraft, it was cut into scrap in the company of photojournalists, as part of a unilateral military reduction. Airplanes of this version served in the 10th PLM in Łask until 1998 at the latest.
Known MiG-21 M aircraft: M 1810 / 961810, 1970. He completed his service in the 10th ELT (PLM) in Łask. As an exhibit, it was brought to the town of Żarnów and stands on road No. 74 in front of Żarnów, near a gas station. (year 2005). M 1901 / 961901, 1970. Used in the 26th PLM in Zegrze Pomorskie. Since 1985, in the 10th PLM in Łask. The plane bears the emblems of 1 PLM "Warszawa" from Mińsk Mazowiecki and 41. PLM from Malbork. In its current location, next to the shopping center at the corner of ul. Północna with national route No. 2 Warsaw - Terespol, appeared in 2003 or 2004. (2007). M 1913 / 961913, 1970. Used in the 26th PLM in Zegrze Pomorskie. Since 1985, in the 10th PLM in Łask.
The well-known MiG-21 aircraft UM 9311 / 516999311, July 28, 1980. In the 26th PLM Zegrze Pomorskie. Later in the 10th ELT in Łask in camouflage.
Known MiG-21 MF aircraft: MF 6804 / 966804 1973. Used in 10 PLM (10 ELM) Łask and ended service there in 2003. MF 7809 / 967809, 1973 Used in 10 PLM (ELT) in Łask with colorful camouflage. One of the pilots was Lt. Col. Jan Śliwka. MF 7907 / 967907, 1973 It was the first to receive a two-color painting (camouflage) in 10 ELT Łask, which over time became a model for the remaining aircraft of the squadron. In these colors, No. 4 MiG-21 M/MF made a farewell flight during the Air Show in Radom in 2002. MF 7913 / 967913 1973 After the end of service, the plane is located at the vehicle inspection station in Lipicze. The emblem of the 10th PLM was painted over on the plane. On the tail there is a place where the emblem of the 2nd Squadron of this unit was visible (2007). MF 9010 / 969010 March 26, 1974 Used in 26 PLM Zegrze Pomorskie. Then in 10 PLM in the 2nd squadron in Łask. Then it went to WZL No. 3 in Dęblin, from where it was sent to Przylep as an exhibit. Then abroad, probably the Netherlands (2007). MF 9011 / 969011 March 26, 1974 Used in 26 PLM Zegrze Pomorskie. Later in Łask (2002). MF 9107 / 969107 1974 Used in 10 PLM and later in 10 ELT in Łask. The gold-colored plane became the unit's showcase and the personal plane of the commander, Lt. Col. Pilot Dariusz Pack. In 2007 went to the museum in Czyżyny.
In total, the 10th PLM had at least 24 MiG-21 aircraft, in various versions. MiG-21 aircraft ended their service in Łask in 2003.
In 1991, the 10th PLM in stock was; 22 MiG-21 PFM/M/MF fighters and 5 MiG-21 UM combat trainers.
Throughout the entire existence of the 10th PLM in Łask, the Regiment had the MiG-21 PF / PFM / M / MF / U / UM versions in stock, i.e. 7 versions out of 10 purchased by Poland.
In the 10th PLM in Łask, Lim-2 and Lim-5 fighters were used. By the way, in 1970, in 9 aviation regiments in WOPK, 5 LO regiments and 4 school regiments, there were still 257 Lim-2 fighters, 202 Lim-5 fighters, 81 Lim-5 P fighters and 200 Lim-5 training and combat aircraft. 1 / 2. The 10th PLM used TS-11 Iskra trainer aircraft.
Łask Airport.
The airport is located approximately 5 km south-east of Łask. It is located between roads No. 44 and No. 483 in the village of Brodnica. Geographic coordinates 51.33 N, 19.10 E, at a height (elevation) of 193 m. It has a strip with a concrete surface, dimensions 2,500 m x 60 m, orientation 11/29.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman