Group of pilots from Nos. 19 and 616 Squadron RAF pose with their dogs and a Spitfire at RAF Duxford, during the Battle of Britain. L-R: On wing; Brian Lane, 'Flash' the Alsatian, 'Grumpy' Unwin, 'Rangy' the Spaniel, Noel Brinsden (New Zealand). Standing; Bernard Jennings, Colin MacFie, Billy Burton, Philip Lackrone (USA).

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The Royal Air Force (RAF) and Fleet Air Arm had included personnel from outside the United Kingdom from before

the beginning of the Second World War, and many served in the Battle of Britain in summer 1940. Many of these volunteers were British subjects - thus, citizens - coming from territories that made up part of the British Empire. Additionally, a significant part was made up of refugees and exiles from German-occupied Europe and American emigrants.

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The RAF Roll of Honour recognises that 574 pilots, from countries other than the United Kingdom, as flying during the period between 10 July to 31 October 1940, alongside 2,353 British pilots. Countries represented were: Poland (145-146), New Zealand (127-135), Canada (112), Czechoslovakia (84-88), Belgium (28-30), Australia (26-32), South Africa (22-25), France (13-14), Ireland (10), USA (9-11), Southern Rhodesia (1), Jamacia (1), Newfoundland (1),  Jamacia (1) and Northern Rhodesia (1).

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All pilots, regardless of nationality, who flew with British units during the Battle of Britain

are known collectively, after a phrase coined by Winston Churchill, as "The Few".

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Source: Wikipedia

Pilots from No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron in 1940.

From the left side: P/O Ferić, F/Lt Kent, F/O Grzeszczak, P/O Radomski, P/O Zumbach,

P/O Łukuciewski, F/O Henneberg, Sgt. Rogowski, Sgt. Szaposznikow.

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Following the German invasion of Poland, many Polish pilots were evacuated and made their way to France and Britain. During the German invasion of France in May 1940, of the 1,600 Polish pilots available to the Armée de l'Air it is estimated that only about 150 took an active part in combat. By June 1940, the Poles had over 85,000 men in France, including pilots and ground troops. Many of these personnel escaped to the UK before the fall of France.

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Source: Wikipedia