Cigarette case belonging to Polish pilot Lieutenant FRANCISZEK GRUSZKA, who fought in No. 65 Squadron of the RAF during the Battle of Britain, one of the first Polish pilots flying on Spitfire Fighter. FRANCISZEK GRUSZKA was killed on August 18, 1940, during a combat mission over Canterbury.
The case is made of silver and marked MENNICA WARSZAWSKA. It is engraved inside with two inscriptions. The inscription on the left is dedicated to Lieutenant FRANCISZEK GRUSZKA. The inscription on the right is a wonderful dedication to the pilot: "To win, make your opponent furious and stay calm, my pilot." Most likely, the cigarette case was a gift to FRANCISZEK GRUSZKA from another Polish pilot fighting during the Battle of Britain.
FRANCISZEK GRUSZKA was killed in late August 1940 while fighting over England, and for years the inscription with the pilot's name was covered up in the case, which I personally uncovered after purchasing it.
