Polish Airco DH 9

Polish Airco DH 9 - no 4315 during Polish -Soviet War 1920

In 1919, the Polish Air Force received 20 DH.9 aircraft as a gift from the English King George V. These aircraft were delivered to Poland in early 1920 (arrived in Gdańsk: 2 pieces in April, 8 pieces on May 4, 10 pieces on May 11, 1920) . The planes were in very bad condition. Of the first two machines, one was destroyed during the flight and the other was no longer assembled. Another 8, equally destroyed, were not assembled, but were transferred to the Central Aircraft Depots (they were put into operation after renovation after the end of hostilities). Another batch of 10 pieces was originally intended for the Russian White Army of General Anton Denikin, it was assembled in June - 3 planes did not start, one crashed during the flight and 3 operational ones were assigned to intelligence squadrons: 5 and 6. They were used, among others, for reconnaissance purposes in the Polish-Bolshevik war. They enjoyed a good reputation

The faulty and damaged planes were gradually renovated. At the end of 1923, there were 17 planes in the air force, including 10 operational ones. In 1924, 5 aircraft were sold to Estonia. DH.9s flew in the 4th Air Regiment until July 1925. The last of them was deleted in February 1929