This is a specially produced bookplate featuring a highly detailed original pencil drawing by Steve Teasdale. The drawing features Polish Battle of Britain pilot Jan Jurakowski climbing into his Spitfire in the summer of 1940. Zurakowski’s genuine signature has been professionally mounted underneath this amazing drawing to create a unique bookplate which would fit most books on the Battle of Britain.
Zurakowski reached England in late 1939 and was commissioned in the RAFVR in January 1940. From 1st June 1940 he was at the Polish Wing at 3 School of Technical Training Blackpool to await a posting.
He was at 15 EFTS Redhill in July for testing and grading. Zurakowski went to 5 OTU Aston Down on 21st July. After converting to Spitfires he joined 152 Squadron at Warmwell on 5th August, moving to 234 Squadron at St. Eval on the 12th. He flew his first operational sortie on the 15th, during which he destroyed a Me110.
He was shot down in combat on the 24th and crashed on the Isle of Wight in Spitfire N3239, unhurt.
On 5th September he destroyed a Me109 and on the 6th another. In this action Zurakowski's Spitfire, N3279, was damaged by a Me109 over Beachy Head and he crashed on landing back at Middle Wallop.
He shared in the probable destruction of a Me110 on 29th September. Zurakowski was posted to 609 Squadron, also at Middle Wallop, on 4th October.
He was awarded the KW and Bar (gazetted 1st February 1941) and left 609 on 7th March 1941 to go to 57 OTU Hawarden as an instructor. During the course of the next eight months, Zurakowski served at 55, 56 and 61 OTUs, finishing up at 58 OTU at Grangemouth.
He returned to operations on 8th December 1941 when he joined 317 Squadron at Northolt.
Zurakowski moved to 306 Squadron at Church Stanton on 11th April 1942 as a Flight Commander.
He was given command of 316 Squadron at Heston on 6th June and led it until 28th December 1942, when he was posted to SHQ Northolt.
Zurakowski was awarded a second Bar to the KW (gazetted 20th February 1943).
He was appointed Squadron Leader Flying at Northolt on 4th July, holding the appointment until 30th October 1943, going then to HQ Fighter Command.