Miksa escaped to France and initially became an instructor with the Polish Fighter Training Unit at Lyon-Bron. He flew in combat during the German invasion.
Miksa arrived in England on 16 July 1940, eventually reaching No 1 School of Army Co-operation, Old Sarum, for a Polish Pilots’ course.
He converted to Hurricanes at an Operational Training Unit and then joined No 151 Squadron at Digby on 18 October, but on the 21st he moved to No 303 Squadron at Leconfield. He was slightly injured on active service on 29 October.
His next posting was to No 315 Squadron at Acklington. Miksa destroyed a Bf 109, probably destroyed another and damaged a third on 21 October 1941. He was appointed a Flight Commander.
After service at OTUs, Miksa joined No 302 Squadron at Northolt in the autumn of 1943. He was given command of No 317 Squadron, also at Northolt, on 1 January 1944. In August he was posted for liaison duties at HQ 12 Group. As well as a number of Polish awards, he received the DFC.
He was released from the Polish Air Force in February 1946.
Miksa settled in England, married into the Pilkington glass manufacturing family and changed his name to Pilkington-Miksa. He died on 20 August 1999.
