Janusz Meissner

Janusz Meissner (nom de plume: "porucznik Herbert," English: "Lt. Herbert"; Warsaw, January 21, 1901 – February 28, 1978, Kraków) was a Polish Air Force pilot, journalist and author.
In late 1919 Meissner completed pilot training at Kraków's Lower Pilot School (Niższa Szkoła Pilotów), and in March 1920, at Poznań'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 July 16, 1920, he was decorated with the Cross of Valor, and in August 1920 he was promoted to lieutenant.

After the Polish-Soviet War he participated in the preparations for the Third Silesian Uprising and in actual combat operations beginning May 2/3, 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 June 27, 1922,[1] and with the Cross of Independence with Swords.

In 1929-1946 he served in the Polish Air Force. To 1939 he was pilot chief at the 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 Kraków, where he died.

He left two sons: Andrzej and Jerzy.

He was the author of popular books on the Polish Air Force and Navy.