THE last-surviving Polish Battle of Britain pilot, who was twice based at RAF Northolt, has died at the age of 97.

Tadeusz Sawic (above) started his military career in 1934 and flew as part of the Allied war effort in Poland, France and Britain.

He won the Virtuti Militari Silver Cross and a Distinguished Flying Cross from four different nations – Poland, Britain, USA and Holland.

Franciczek Kornicki, 94, served under Sqn Ldr Sawic at RAF Northolt for six months in 1942 as a flight commander and said of the late war hero: “He was the best of friends and the best of leaders.”

The Polish War Memorial in South Ruislip pays permanent tribute to the country’s efforts in the war.