Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC has had his latest “hero of the month” article published in Britain at War, the country’s best-selling military history monthly magazine.
The October issue of the magazine has four pages on the life and career of Fight Lieutenant Michal Maciejowski DFC, DFM, one of many Polish servicemen who fought with the Allies to try to regain their homeland during the Second World War.
Maciejowski was one of the scores of brave Poles who served in the RAF, having been forced to flee their homeland in late 1939, after his country was invaded by Germany.
Known as “Mickey Mouse” by his British comrades because of his diminutive stature, he was a daring and successful fighter ace who was eventually awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM), the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and other decorations for his gallantry.
However, on August 9 1943, his aircraft collided with a Spitfire over enemy territory and he was taken as a Prisoner of War. At the end of the war, he was released and rejoined the RAF. Maciejowski also changed his name to “Michael Manson”.
He retired in the rank of flight lieutenant in 1972, and soon afterwards emigrated to Canada. He died in Winnipeg on April 26 2001, aged 87.
Lord Ashcroft’s articles for Britain at War over the past nine years have been largely based on excerpts from his seven books on gallantry: Victoria Cross Heroes, Special Forces Heroes, George Cross Heroes, Heroes of the Skies, Special Ops Heroes, Victoria Cross Heroes Volume II and Falklands War Heroes.
Lord Ashcroft is a military historian who has lectured extensively on courage and his various medal collections.
- Lord Ashcroft’s latest article appears in the October issue of Britain at War which is on sale now.
