No. 307 Squadron — City of Lwów

No. 307 (City of Lwów) Squadron was the only Polish night fighter unit to serve within the RAF during the Second World War, formed on 24 August 1940 from Polish airmen who had escaped the fall of France. Its Polish designation — 307 Dywizjon Myśliwski Nocny “Lwowskich Puchaczy” — reflects the nickname “Lwów Eagle Owls,” chosen because the Eurasian eagle-owl is a native nocturnal predator of Poland. The squadron entered service on Boulton Paul Defiants before progressing through Bristol Beaufighters and ultimately the de Havilland Mosquito, which it flew in several marks until disbandment. Based at RAF Exeter for roughly two years from April 1941, the squadron defended south-west England and was awarded the Freedom of the City of Exeter in November 1942 in recognition of that service. Its role evolved from home defence into offensive night intruder operations over occupied France and, from early 1945, Bomber Command support missions intercepting German night fighters over the Reich. The squadron disbanded on 2 January 1947, having drawn its traditions from the pre-war 6th Aviation Regiment stationed in Lwów.