PAF Cadets visit Northwood Graves 10 September 2025 Read More Annual Commemoration of Homage for Fallen Polish Airmen 9 September 2025 Read More Polish airmen’s graves restoration completed 24 August 2025 Read More Hurricane flight to Poland postponed 23 July 2025 Read More Bomber Command Service 2 July 2025 Read More Hurricane to fly to Poland 13 June 2025 Read More Poles fly in for air rally 31 May 2025 Read More Polish pilots’ remembrance service Dungeness 2 May 2025 Read More Katyń Memorial Service 2 May 2025 Read More Date change for annual Commemoration 13 March 2025 Read More Standing Giants return to Normandy Memorial 12 February 2025 Read More Polish Air Force Exhibition Northolt tours 4 January 2025 Read More News 2025

RAF Ingham Heritage Centre Newsletter 1/1 3 October RAF Ingham Heritage Centre Newsletter The RAF Ingham Heritage Centre has published the latest edition of its Newsletter the Ingham White Eagle Ingham White Eagle - Summer 2021 .pdf Download PDF Previous Article Next Article

The Polish D-Day Story 1/1 12 May The Polish D-Day Story The 307 Squadron Project is holding a special two-day event ‘The Polish D-Day Story’ at the D-Day Museum in Portsmouth on Saturday 19 June and Sunday 20 June 2021. The event will explain the important story of the Polish involvement on D-Day and during the Normandy Campaign. ‘The Polish D-Day Story’ will be open at the museum’s normal entry price from 11.00am - 3.30pm on Saturday 19 June, and from 11:00am - 3.00pm on Sunday 20 June. The official opening will take place at circa 11.10am on Saturday 19 June, hopefully by a representative from the Polish Embassy with invitations also to the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, the city's two MPs and lead councillors. The opening will include a short film plus a guided tour to VIPs of the exhibition. The Polish D-Day Story, promoting British-Polish friendship and cooperation, will include an exhibition in both English and Polish detailing the Polish D-Day Story, archive video material plus information on 307 Squadron. The D-Day Story museum is on the Clarence Esplanade, Portsmouth PO5 3NT and strictly adheres to current Government Covid guidelines and queue numbers will be managed. The venue has achieved the new Visit England national standard ‘We’re Good To Go’. More information can be found on the museum’s website: https://theddaystory.com/covid-19-faqs/ A saving of 10% off the admission price is available by booking tickets in advance at this link: https://ddaystory.merlintickets.co.uk/product/GENENTRY Previous Article Next Article

Inaugural Roman Catholic Mass at St Clement Danes Church 1/4 27 October Inaugural Roman Catholic Mass at St Clement Danes Church For the first time, Holy Mass was celebrated on 21 October at the Central Church of the Royal Air Force, St Clement Danes, by the Roman Catholic Bishop of the Forces. This Mass in St Clement Danes was an opportunity for the RAF Roman Catholic community to gather with the Bishop of the Forces, the Rt Rev Paul Mason, the Principal Roman Catholic Chaplain, Rev (Sqn Ldr) Dave Skillen, and the RAF RC Chaplains to celebrate the Eucharist at the perpetual shrine of remembrance to all those who have died in service in the RAF. It was a solemn and memorable occasion with the intention of this becoming an annual event. St Clement Danes, located on The Strand, London, WC2R 1DH, is a magnificent church displaying unique RAF artefacts from its 100-year plus history. At the end of the Mass a wreath was laid at the Memorial to the Polish Air Force by the Chairman of the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee Richard Kornicki CBE DL. All photos are courtesy of Marek Borzęcki. Previous Article Next Article

A new Polish Air Force Exhibition 1/3 3 March A new Polish Air Force Exhibition A new permanent exhibition on the Polish Air Force has been created at the Battle of Britain Bunker, Uxbridge. This is the result of collaboration between the London Borough of Hillingdon and the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee, which has loaned the items on display from its growing collection of memorabilia. The exhibition at the Bunker will provide much greater awareness of the Polish Air Force story and to a far wider public than is possible with the restricted access to our displays at RAF Northolt, where the remainder of our material will continue to be displayed. The project has had the full support of the Polish Embassy and the Committee would also like to put on record our thanks to the London Borough of Hillingdon for their generosity in meeting the costs of the new display area at the Bunker. The following link provides a foretaste of the exhibition http://battleofbritainbunker.co.uk/polish-air-force. Some initial photos of the exhibition are available by double clicking the image then the arrows. All photos are the copyright of Hillingdon Council. Previous Article Next Article

Mike Ingham recounts the first visit of Dęblin cadets to RAF Cranwell in 2009. 1/19 The Covid travel restrictions prevented the annual visit of the Officer Cadets of the Polish Air Force Academy, Dęblin, Poland from attending this year’s Ceremony of Homage to fallen Polish airmen. Instead Polish Air Force historian and author Mike Ingham recounts the first visit of Dęblin cadets to RAF Cranwell in 2009. In the summer of 2009 a group of officer cadets from the Polish Air Force Academy at Dęblin spent a week as guests of the Royal Air Force College (RAFC) at Cranwell. The idea for the visit had been raised the previous year by the committee of what is now Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire. The group is an innovative partnership of volunteer and commercial visitor sites, public sector authorities, the RAF, and other organizations working together in promoting the county's heritage and providing wider economic benefits. The suggestion was welcomed by the College, and following approval from the Polish Air Force (PAF) planning began on a programme that would be of interest to the Dęblin cadets, show something of the history of the PAF units which had been based in Lincolnshire during the Second World War, and build a further link between the modern air forces of Poland and the UK. The programme would also coincide with the two day International Air Show at RAF Waddington. On 1 July seven cadets from the senior entry at Dęblin arrived at RAF Cranwell with three officers led by the Dean of the PAF Academy Faculty. Hosting the visitors was a small team of officers from the RAFC and the aviation heritage group. The first full day of the programme began with a visit to the restored wartime Sector Operations Room at RAF Digby, and then in the afternoon to Faldingworth where the Polish 300 Ziemi Mazowieckiej Squadron flew Avro Lancasters from the now disused airfield. A memorial to the Squadron stands at the end of one of the runways and the village church has a memorial plaque and window dedicated to personnel of the PAF. A visit to the Newark Air Museum took place the next day, and in the afternoon respects were paid to the fallen at the Polish Air Force Memorial and war graves in the cemetery at Newark where they were joined by the Town Mayor and PAF veterans. The bright and sunny weekend was spent at the popular International Air Show at RAF Waddington. The highlights of the air display programme included a polished performance by the PAF aerobatic team Zespół Akrobacyjny Orlik. The heritage group stand had display panels in English and Polish describing the role of the PAF in Lincolnshire, and the Dęblin officer cadets took advantage of the opportunity to speak to many visitors. Close by was a traditional steel band, the style of music created by converted oil drums being a source of much interest. The historic city of Lincoln was the venue for the next day, starting with a visit to the magnificent Cathedral. Then, down the aptly named Steep Hill, to the ancient Guildhall (with Polish flag flying from the flagpole atop the roof) where they were greeted by the Mayor with a buffet lunch provided by members of the local Polish community. Later there was a more informal element of the programme, and the opportunity for some shopping. The morning of the following day was spent at RAF Coningsby, to look at the multirole Eurofighter Typhoons and visit the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) where Spitfire AB910 could be seen in the ‘Donald Duck’ markings of the Commanding Officer of 303 Kościuszko Squadron, kapitan/Squadron Leader Jan Zumbach. Close to Coningsby is the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre on the site of the former RAF East Kirkby. The Centre has an Avro Lancaster, which is able to taxi and which the Centre team hopes may one day be made airworthy, and gave the Polish cadets the opportunity to look over this famous aircraft at close quarters during the afternoon. Whilst at East Kirkby one moment stands out that, in its way, represents the experience of the whole of the week's visit. The BBMF schedule included an air test for Spitfire AB910, and given the proximity of Coningsby this took in East Kirkby. As it made its first run a member of the hosting team turned to one of the cadets and asked if he could see the markings. With a very broad smile, representing both his pleasure and also his pride in his air force, he replied simply "Zumbach!". Before returning home the PAF visitors and their hosts attended a reception given by the Commandant of the RAFC. It was clear that the visit from Dęblin had been a great success, had achieved its aims and provided a firm foundation for future such exchanges. Sadly, officer cadets from Dęblin were unable to join in the commemorations this year, but their presence again in 2022 is much anticipated. Previous Article Next Article

Hillingdon launches on-line Polish Exhibition. 1/1 29 September Hillingdon launches on-line Polish Exhibition. The London Borough of Hillingdon has selected five Polish Air Force pilots buried in Northwood Cemetery and produced short biographies for a new online exhibition. This can be accessed at this link https://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/polish-pilots . The pilots are Sgt Tadeusz Andruszków, FO Franciszek Gruszka, FO Ludwik Paszkiewicz, FO Marian Rytka and Sgt Stefan Wójtowicz. These are just five of the 54 Polish pilots buried in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission section of Northwood Cemetery, alongside some of their colleagues who have died more recently. Previous Article Next Article

RAF Northolt Sector Operations Building Restoration 1/3 6 February RAF Northolt Sector Operations Building Restoration The historic Grade II listed Z Sector Operations Building at RAF Northolt, known as Building 27 or The Keith Park Building, has been undergoing restoration for over 10 years by a dedicated team of civilian and military volunteers. The usual funding stream from the biannual Night Photoshoots at RAF Northolt has not been possible since March 2019 due to runway repairs and the Coronavirus. There has not been any government funding for this heritage restoration project and the team has now set up a JustGiving appeal to raise £10,000 to help fund the ongoing restoration. Details are available by clicking the following link https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/building-27-renovation. Building 27 was constructed in 1929 as a standard operations building for an airfield capable of supporting the operation of three fighter squadrons. With war looking likely in Europe, resulting in the expansion of the Royal Air Force, Fighter Command was formed in July 1936 and Air Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding was appointed its head. RAF Northolt, a key aerodrome within No.11 Group, commanded by Sir Keith Park, (himself a former Northolt Station commander) was the closest fighter station to Head Quarters Fighter Command at Bentley Priory, Stanmore. Between 1936 and 1939 Dowding decided to run a series of trials and air exercises using Building 27, which resulted in the evolution of the system, the personnel, and the layout of the building. This design became the standard template that was rolled out across Fighter Command. Due to its vulnerability to air attack, Building 27 was closed as an operational asset on 17 June 1940, after which it was used for training Sector Control staff. Post war it was used as offices until 2007 when it was closed and scheduled for demolition. Fortunately it survived long enough for English Heritage to grant it Grade II listed status and its restoration began in 2010. When complete the renovated and fully working building will run simulations and re-enactments of events from the Battle of Britain for the purposes of training future generations of Aerospace Battlespace Managers. These are the key personnel within the modern RAF Battlespace Management Force and the Air Surveillance and Control System. In addition, the building will be used to facilitate the education of younger generations of Air Training Corps and school children about the heritage and ethos of the Royal Air Force. Part of the restoration can be viewed in the film made by the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee ‘The Polish Air Force in the Battle of Britain – An 80th Anniversary Tribute’ . This film is freely available from a link on the Home page above or YouTube at this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lhoytCWsEY . Previous Article Next Article

Commonwealth War Graves Commission to replace Polish pilot’s headstone 1/1 2 March Commonwealth War Graves Commission to replace Polish pilot’s headstone The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has confirmed that the incorrect Royal Air Force style headstone, on the grave of Polish Air Force fighter pilot F/O Franciszek Gruszka in Northwood Cemetery, is to be replaced with the correct Polish style headstone. This may take sometime to complete due to the current Coronavirus situation. The CWGC commemorates casualties by nationality of service rather than by nationality of casualty. Although F/O Franciszek Gruszka was of Polish nationality, the CWGC believed he was serving with the RAF rather than the PAF at the time of his death during the Battle of Britain. As such he was commemorated as a Commonwealth casualty with an RAF style headstone, rather than an allied casualty with a Polish style headstone. During the war the PAF in the UK was its own independent sovereign air force operating under the constitutional control of the Polish Government in exile, but under the operational command of the RAF. The initial influx of Polish airmen from France to England in early 1940 had to join the RAF’s Volunteer Reserve. However, they all soon transferred to the PAF in early August 1940 following the Anglo-Polish agreement, signed by both governments on 5 August 1940, to give separate independent status to the PAF. At the time of his death F/O Franciszek Gruszka was serving with the RAF’s 65 Squadron at Hornchurch and was shot down and killed during the Battle of Britain on 18 August 1940. He was the seventh of the 31 operational PAF pilots killed during the Battle. The location of the crash site remained a mystery for over 33 years. However, from information in the book The Polish ‘Few’ by Peter Sikora, F/O Franciszek Gruszka’s Spitfire I R6713 and his remains were recovered from Grove Marsh, near Preston Village, Kent on the 15 April 1974. F/O Franciszek Gruszka was subsequently buried in grave H202 in Northwood Cemetery on 17 July 1975 with an RAF style headstone. It is thanks to the PAFMC’s historical adviser Wojtek Matusiak who indicated the incorrect headstone that enabled the PAFMC to submit a request to the CWGC to replace the headstone with the correct one of Polish style. Previous Article Next Article

PAFMC Trustee and other opportunities 1/1 23 June PAFMC Trustee and other opportunities The registered charity Polish Air Force Memorial Committee (PAFMC) is always interested to hear of people who might be willing to serve as Trustees or in other capacities. We would be delighted to hear from anyone with the relevant interests, skills and experience who would like to discuss the possible opportunities. While Trustees and others involved would be expected to have a strong interest in the Polish Air Force in the west during the war years – either through descent or otherwise – we would be particularly glad to hear from people with any of the following skills or experience: Investment / finance Administration /law Social media / digital engagement Project management Retail (principally on-line) Community involvement / engagement Trustee meetings take place three or four times a year at the Battle of Britain Bunker, Uxbridge, by courtesy of the London Borough of Hillingdon, currently on Friday afternoons, with other business conducted by e-mail or smaller groupings. Trustees do not receive any remuneration and incidental day to day expenses (such as travel) are not reimbursed. Expressions of interest should set out the nature of your connection to the Polish Air Force, the particular skills you could offer, and be accompanied by a CV. An informal discussion will then be arranged to explore the contribution that could be made and the best way of fitting that into the structure of the Committee, whether as Trustee or by support in a different capacity. Please send any expressions of interest to the Chairman: richardkornicki@gmail.com Previous Article Next Article

Polish Air Force Memorial photographs 1/8 20 February Polish Air Force Memorial photographs RAF Northolt’s photographic section has kindly shared some photographs of the Polish Air Force Memorial taken in early February. Photos in the slide show below can be viewed and enlarged by double clicking the image then the arrows. All photos are Crown copyright. Planning is progressing for the annual and 60th Ceremony of Homage to Fallen Polish Airmen during World War II, scheduled to be held at the Polish Air Force Memorial on Saturday 4 September. All are welcome. This year the event will be subject to changes in format, or even cancellation, if the regulations then in force or the likely course of the Coronavirus make this necessary. If the PAFMC is not confident of being able to hold the Commemoration it will be cancelled no later than Monday 19 July. Previous Article Next Article

Commemoration 4th Sept - COVID restrictions 1/1 Commemoration 4th Sept - COVID restrictions We regret that due to COVID concerns, this event is now limited to persons who have already been invited to lay wreaths and their guests. There will be no access to the Memorial to the general public and they are asked not to attend. For the Mass to be offered for Polish airmen on Sunday 5th Sept at Our Lady Mother of the Church, Windsor Road, Ealing, we recommend that people only attend if it is their regular place of worship. We recognise the disappointment this will cause, but hope that everyone will understand that while legal restrictions may have been lifted, we are all urged to still act with caution, particularly when bringing together people who do not usually meet. Previous Article Next Article