In the Battle of Britain, often addressed as “Sneezy” or “Henry the Pole”, he flew Hurricanes with No 74 Squadron and was credited with two enemy aircraft destroyed and one shared. Later he served with various squadrons and was awarded the DFC and a number of Polish decorations.
Szczesny was appointed Squadron Leader Flying of the Polish Wing at Northolt on 28 December 1942. He was leading the Wing on 4 April 1943, escorting USAAF bombers over France, when, on the way back, they were attacked by FW 190s. Szczesny shot one down but collided with another. He baled out and was captured by a German patrol.
He was freed in April 1945 and returned to Britain. He stayed in the RAF, retired in 1965 as a Flight Lieutenant, retaining the rank of Squadron Leader, and died in 1996
