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

News 2022 PAF talk Pitzhanger Gallery Ealing Read More 28 Dec 2022 PAF discussion RAF Museum Cosford Read More 6 Dec 2022 Polish Heritage Flight Awarded Silver Medal of the Polish Army Read More 5 Dec 2022 The Windrush Poles – A forgotten corner of history. Read More 1 Dec 2022 Polish 307 Squadron remembered in Exeter Read More 21 Nov 2022 Polish Air Force Exhibition Northolt tour dates 2023 Read More 7 Nov 2022 PAFMC plaque placed at the International Bomber Command Centre Read More 28 Oct 2022 Polish Air Force University Commandant thanks PAFMC Read More 22 Oct 2022 PAFMC joins Facebook Read More 20 Oct 2022 307 Squadron Project Anniversary event Read More 19 Oct 2022 Unveiling stained glass window commemorating 309 (Polish) Squadron. Read More 6 Oct 2022 Air Bridge Memorial Ceremony Read More 2 Oct 2022 Sgt Josef František Memorial Unveiling Ceremony Read More 29 Sept 2022 Northolt Commemoration Ceremony 2022 Read More 26 Sept 2022 Polish Forces in Rumania and France Read More 1 Aug 2022 Memorial to Sgt Josef František VM KW & 3 Bars ČVK DFM & Bar. Read More 6 Jun 2022 RAF Northolt's Polish Air Force Exhibition re-opens for visitors Read More 30 May 2022 PAFMC Trustee and other opportunities Read More 20 May 2022 Polish Air Force display at RAF Museum. Read More 13 May 2022 New Polish Air Force Exhibition opens at RAF Northolt Read More 4 May 2022

Return of the GIANTS to Normandy 14 February 2026 Read More Polish Air Force Exhibition Northolt tours 27 January 2026 Read More News 2026

News 2021 PAFMC pledges £40,000 towards Polish Bomber Squadron Centre. Read More 12 Dec 2021 Inaugural Roman Catholic Mass at St Clement Danes Church Read More 27 Oct 2021 PAFMC hosts wreath laying Read More 4 Oct 2021 RAF Ingham Heritage Centre Newsletter Read More 3 Oct 2021 Hillingdon launches on-line Polish Exhibition. Read More 29 Sept 2021 Northolt Commemoration Ceremony Read More 27 Sept 2021 Mike Ingham recounts the first visit of Dęblin cadets to RAF Cranwell in 2009. Read More 27 Sept 2021 Commemoration 4th Sept - COVID restrictions Read More 4 Sept 2021 Lecture - Polish Airmen in the Battle of Britain Read More 27 Aug 2021 80th anniversary of PAF Standard handover. Read More 16 Jul 2021 PAFMC Trustee and other opportunities Read More 23 Jun 2021 Polish Air Force coverage in Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Year Book Read More 20 May 2021 The Polish D-Day Story Read More 12 May 2021 Polish pilots’ Memorial replaced Read More 10 May 2021 Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Wall of Remembrance Read More 8 May 2021 Polish Bomber Squadrons tribute film Read More 4 May 2021 A new Polish Air Force Exhibition Read More 3 Mar 2021 Commonwealth War Graves Commission to replace Polish pilot’s headstone Read More 2 Mar 2021 Tribute to Polish 303 Squadron in US Museum Read More 23 Feb 2021 Polish Air Force Memorial photographs Read More 20 Feb 2021

Photos The launch of the Plumetot Memorial Campaign was held on Thursday 31 January, at The Battle of Britain Bunker, Uxbridge, ( http://battleofbritainbunker.co.uk/) in the presence of His Excellency, the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland, Arkady Rzegocki, and the Deputy Mayor of the Commune of Plumetot, Mme Marie. The event covered the importance of the Normandy village of Plumetot, as the place which marked the return to the mainland of Europe of the Polish Air Force in the wake of the D-Day landings in 1944. The Polish 302, 308 and 317 fighter squadrons operated from the temporary Plumetot landing ground during August and September 1944. There was a presentation by Alexander Smaga, the architect of the Memorial. The Memorial will be unveiled in Plumetot on Sunday 9 June 2019, as part of events surrounding the 75th Anniversary of D-Day. The Memorial will be linked in a trail of memorials and sites marking the Polish contribution to the Invasion. The cost of the Memorial will be around £40,000 of which £15,000 has already been raised or pledged. We would be most grateful if you would forward these details to friends and colleagues who may be interested in adding their support. If contributions exceed the Project costs, any excess will be used to support the work of the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee in maintaining the memory of the Polish Air Force in the West. Plumetot Memorial Campaign launch

A new series of three ‘photo album’ books covering the history of one of the most famous flying units in history. Tracing its journey from the roots that formed in the Polish-Russian war, through the invasions of Poland and France, to England and ultimate victory. 303 Squadron. The Complete Illustrated History. Author Wojtek Matusiak. vol. 1 ISBN 978-1-906592-22-6 Link A new series of three ‘photo album’ books covering the history of one of the most famous flying units in history. Tracing its journey from the roots that formed in the Polish-Russian war, through the invasions of Poland and France, to England and ultimate victory. 303 Squadron. The Complete Illustrated History. Author Wojtek Matusiak. vol. 3 ISBN 978-1-906592-24-0 Link Publications 2021 2023 Polish fighter pilots received their baptism of fire over their own country in September 1939, when they were overwhelmed by the aerial might of Germany and the Soviet Union. Despite this, they claimed over 120 enemy aircraft destroyed. When the Polish Air Force was reborn in France, the same men fought against the same enemy, yet with more experience and with better understanding of their opponents’ tactics – though, as the author reveals, the aircraft they flew were, in most cases, quite different Link A new 96 page book about the Lancasters flown by Polish and Commonwealth crews in 300 Squadron during 1944-1946 by Grzegorz Korcz. Polish Wings No. 31 Avro Lancaster I/III. Author Grzegorz Korcz. ISBN 9788366549456. Publisher MMP Books, Zeromskiego 4, Sandomierz 27-600, Poland. Link A Polish edition of the illustrated biography of Polish pilot Władysław Gnyś, who shot down the first two German aircraft of World War II on 1 September 1939, It is also available from bookstores. Pierwsze Zwycięstwa: Podniebne walki i wojenne losy polskiego myśliwca Władysława Gnysia. Author Stefan Gnyś, ISBN 978-83-66790-97-1. Publisher Replika. Link 2022 Chris Ward and Grzegorz Korcz have followed up their immensely popular 300 Squadron Profile with a combined volume covering the three other Polish bomber units. As ever the book contains many photographs and full statistics. Hardback, 11 in x 8 1/4 in, 466 pages, £25 Link 2020 A new edition of Group Captain Johnny Kent's autobiography ‘One of the Few’ , augmented with an introduction and epilogue by his youngest daughter Alexandra Kent. These additions present new material that sheds light on Johnny Kent's story in the broader context of his life as a son, husband and father. This edition will also include previously unpublished photographs from the family archive. Facebook link Link A new book about the Polish Air Force in the defence of Britain is now available from Sabrestorm Publishing. Truly of the Few -The Polish Air Force in the Defence of Britain. Author Dr Penny Starns. ISBN-978-1-78122-019-1. Publisher Sabrestorm Publishing. Link In this superb collection of photographs, the story of the Polish Few is told from their hazardous journey from Poland to the UK and in the great struggle for control of the skies above Britain during that memorable summer of 1940. Poles in the Battle of Britain: A Photographic Album of the Polish 'Few' (Hardback). Author Peter Sikora. ISBN: 9781526782410. Publisher Pen & Sword Books Ltd, Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Link A Polish language edition of Blood on their Wing Tips: A Second World War Timeline of the No. 303 Kościuszko Polish Squadron at RAF Northolt, by Nina Britton Boyle and translated by Łukasz Golowanow, is now available. SKRZYDŁA WE KRWI: Dywizjon 303 w bazie RAF Northolt. ISBN. 978-83-66217-51-5. Publisher Replika, Poland. Link 2018 A biography about Polish Air Force physical training instructor Sgt Gerard Wodarz . This is a story of a pre-war Polish national team football player who participated in the Olympics in 1936 and World Cup in 1938 and was one of the top Polish players in pre-war Poland. He was a physical training instructor at RAF Newton in 1945. Z boiska na wojnę (From the pitch to the war). Author Wojtek Zymslony. ISBN 978-83-64424-46-5. Publisher Wydawnictwo Gretza, Poland. Link A new illustrated book about the Polish airmen who flew during the Battle of Britain is now available to pre-order from the bookshop Pen & Sword. Details are available by clicking this link. The Polish ‘Few’. Author Peter Sikora. ISBN: 9781526714855. Publisher Frontline Books. Link 2017 An illustrated biography of Polish pilot Władysław Gnyś, who shot down the first two German aircraft of World War II on 1 September 1939, is now available from the online book shop Wordery. Details are available by clicking the link. First Kills: The Illustrated Biography of Fighter Pilot Władysław Gnyś. Author Stefan Gnys ISBN-13: 9781612005560. Publisher Casemate Books Link The supersonic fighter in the Polish Air Force of the MiG-21MF are described in the unparalleled details. Many unpublished photos from the private collections. Colour schemes and markings are described and illustrated in a series of specially commissioned colour profiles. Authors Adam Gołąbek Illustrator Artur Juszczak ISBN978836654969 MMPBooks Link 2016 A new book about 300 Polish Bomber Squadron is now available through Amazon. Details are available by clicking the link. 300 Squadron: Volume 4 (RAF Bomber Command Squadron Profiles) Paperback. Authors Chris Ward and Grzegorz Korcz. ISBN-10: 1911255142, ISBN-13: 978-1911255147. Publisher Mention the War Ltd, UK Link A new book about 303 Polish Kościuszko Squadron at RAF Northolt. This unique book is the culmination of Nina’s extensive and meticulous research over the past 30 years. It is a true life timeline of 303 Sqn and combines the personal memories and photographs from surviving pilots, the families of those who gave their lives, and official combat records and war diaries. Blood on their Wing Tips: A Second World War Timeline of the No. 303 Kościuszko Polish Squadron at RAF Northolt. Author Nina Britton Boyle ISBN 978-0-9934924-0-2 (paperback); Publisher BookTower Publishing, Redditch, UK Link A new book relating to the Polish Air Force is now available in Polish book shops and online. Battles of the Polish Air Force 1939-1945 (Bitwy polskiego lotnictwa 1939-1945). Author Piotr Sikora. ISBN: 978-83-7020-626-0. Publisher Alma-Press, Warsaw, Poland. Link A booklet 303 Kościuszko Squadron is now available from the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee. It was compiled and researched by Louise Pemberton, a daughter of Wing Commander Ronald G Kellett DSO DFC VM AE, the British Commanding Officer of 303 Polish Kościuszko Squadron, when it was formed in July 1940 during the Battle of Britain. Link 2015 Grzegorz Sologub, six days of Polish ace (Grzegorz Sologub. Szesc dni polskiego asa). Author Piotr Sikora. ISBN 978-83-89450-56-2. Publisher: Stratus, Sandomierz, Poland Link One of the Few. Pawel Niemiec, fighter pilot from Cieszyn (Jeden z niewielu. Pawel Niemiec mysliwiec z Cieszyna). Author Piotr Sikora. ISBN 978-83-62913-81-7. Publisher: Finna, Gdansk, Poland. Link Aces of the Polish Air Force (Asy polskiego lotnictwa). Author Piotr Sikora. ISBN 978-83-7020-560-7. Pubisher: Alma-Press, Warsaw, Poland. Link Polish wings over Ireland (Polskie skrzydla nad Irlandia). Authors Piotr Sikora and Lukasz Gredys. ISBN 978-83-7020-607-9. Publisher: Alma-Press, Warsaw, Poland. Link A new series of three ‘photo album’ books covering the history of one of the most famous flying units in history. Tracing its journey from the roots that formed in the Polish-Russian war, through the invasions of Poland and France, to England and ultimate victory. 303 Squadron. The Complete Illustrated History. Author Wojtek Matusiak. vol. 2 ISBN 978-1-906592-23-3 Link Polish Spitfire Aces. Authors Wojtek Matusiak with Robert Grudzień. ISBN 978-1-4728-0837-0. Publisher: Osprey Publishing, Oxford, UK Link 80. rocznicę powietrznej Bitwy o Anglię, która odwróciła bieg wydarzeń drugiej wojny światowej, znani historycy lotnictwa Robert Gretzyngier i Wojtek Matusiak uczcili nową książką „Wyspy Brytyjskie 1940”, wydaną w ramach popularnej serii Bellony "Historyczne Bitwy Link Dzięki pracy Józefa Zielińskiego, Wojtka Matusiaka i Roberta Gretzyngiera możemy poznać biogramy tych polskich pilotów, którzy przyczynili się do odparcia niemieckiej inwazji na Wielką Brytanię. Link There is a new film available which tells the story of 303 Polish squadron, the most successful fighter unit during the Battle of Britain, through the eyes of two former 303Sqn pilots Franciszek Kornicki and Stanislaw Socha, as well as children of three 303Sqn pilots Witold Urbanowicz, John Kent and Miroslaw Feric. Link

Annual Commemoration of Homage for Fallen Polish Airmen Previous Next 1/16 Tuesday, 9 September 2025 Annual Commemoration of Homage for Fallen Polish Airmen The annual and 64th Commemoration of Homage for Fallen Polish Airmen was held on Saturday, 30 August 2025, at the Polish Air Force Memorial, South Ruislip. The ceremony, which has been organised by the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee (PAFMC) since 2011, opened with a trumpeter sounding the Assembly for the parading of the King’s Colour of the Royal Air Force, the replica Polish Air Force Standard by Officer cadets of the Polish Air Force University, Dęblin and the Standards of Polish Scouts, Guides, Schools and other bodies. PAFMC Chairman Krzysztof de Berg followed with his opening address, welcoming dignitaries, guests and the public. The speech is available in full at the link below. His address was followed by the Polish Roll-Call of the Fallen - Apel Poległych, led by Vice Rector Commandant of the Polish Air Force University, Dęblin Col Pilot Andrzej Truskowski and Officer cadets. Prayers for the Fallen in Polish were then led by Fr Artur Strzępka , Rector of the Polish Catholic Mission in England and Wales and were followed by the Polish Last Post ‘Śpij Kolego’ and dipping of Standards and Banners. Dignitaries were then invited by Marysia Suchcitz from Związek Harcerstwa Polskiego (Polish Scouting Association) to lay wreaths on the Memorial. These included the Representative Deputy Lieutenant for the London Borough of Hillingdon Ms Manju Malhi, the Mayors of the London Boroughs of Hillingdon, Ealing and Hammersmith and Fulham, the Defence Attaché for the Republic of Poland Col Rafal Nowak and The Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hav Smyth. These were followed by descendants of the Polish squadrons and units commemorated on the Memorial that flew alongside the RAF from 1940 to 1945 and PAFMC partners. The final wreath was laid by 100-year-old AC1 Marian Słomka, believed to be the last surviving member of the Polish Air Force in the United Kingdom. Concluding Prayers were led by the Rev S/Ldr Andrew Chapman , Station Chaplin, RAF Northolt, followed by the Last Post, the dipping of Standards and Banners and a minute’s silence ending with Reveille. The ceremony ended with the national anthems of Poland and the United Kingdom and marching off of the Standards followed by the playing of ‘White Roses’. Personal wreaths were laid after the ceremony ended. Music was provided by musicians of the RAF Central Band with the kind permission of the Air Force Board of the Defence Council. Invited guests then transferred to RAF Northolt for a reception and lunch in the Officers’ Mess, and were welcomed by Station Commander Gp/Capt Lee Wales. Guests were also addressed by The Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hav Smyth and Vice Rector Commandant of the Polish Air Force University, Dęblin Col Pilot Andrzej Truskowski, . Following the lunch, guests were entertained in the Mess by the singers (Vokalinki) and dancers from the Karolinka Polish Folklore Ensemble. The PAFMC has been organising the Annual Ceremony of Homage to fallen Polish airmen since 2011 after officially succeeding the Polish Air Force Association Charitable Trust (PAFACT), which dissolved at the end of 2010. The PAFMC is the designated successor of the wartime PAF and the organisations, which represented it after the war. Next year’s Commemoration will take place on Saturday 29 August at 11.00. Other Polish Air Force heritage sites in Hillingdon can be found at: https://archive.hillingdon.gov.uk/polishtrail Photos in the slide show are courtesy of Marek Borzęcki. There were amendments to the Order of Ceremony since the programme was printed. The ceremony was streamed live and can be viewed on the PAFMC YouTube channel at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPzIVPDbTvk&t=4s Speech Krzysztof de Berg Chairman Polish Air Force Memorial Committee .pdf Download PDF • 37KB Speech_Col. Truskowski .pdf Download PDF • 19KB Programme .pdf Download PDF • 2.45MB Previous Next

94bbba04-ffe9-4aba-b0c9-82757dc6e59a The Polish D-Day Story < Back 1/1 15 June 2023 The Polish D-Day Story The 307 Squadron Project will stage "The Polish D-Day Story" on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 July in Portsmouth covering the role of the Polish armed forces, which took part in the D-Day operation and the Normandy campaign in June 1944. The event will be held at The D-Day Story Museum, Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, Portsmouth PO5 3NT from 10.30 until 16.30 on both days and will aim to promote British-Polish friendship and cooperation. Highlights are: The Polish D-Day Story exhibition in Polish and English Presentation and speeches by invited guests Screening of the film "ORP Blyskawica - Faithful Ship" Unique multimedia materials Artistic performance by the Polish Saturday School 'November Insurgents in Portsmouth' The VIPs expected to attend include: Deputy Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Councillor Jason Fazackarley, Deputy Lady Mayoress of Portsmouth Ms Helen Mitchell, Polish Consul General Mateusz Stąsiek, Member of Parliament for Portsmouth North, the Lord President of the Privy Council and Leader of the House of Commons, Penny Mordaunt MP. Health permitting , the event will hopefully be attended by 101-year-old veteran Colonel Otton Hulacki from the Isle of Wight. Entry to The Polish D-Day Story is free. However, standard admission charges apply to The D-Day Story Museum and are available on the door or in advance on-line at this link https://ddaystory.merlintickets.co.uk/product/GENENTRY Previous Next

The Polish Air Force Memorial The Polish Air Force Memorial at South Ruislip, in the London Borough of Hillingdon, was unveiled in 1948 to honour and commemorate the Polish airmen killed during the Second World War while under British Command. The simple design of the Memorial depicts the Polish Air Force emblem of a large bronze eagle, with its wings spread wide, ready to take off from the top of a tall Portland stone Obelisk. The fourteen wartime Polish Air Force squadrons, and the battles in which they took part, are embossed in bronze letters on the front face. The base of the column is supported either side by two large stone plinths. One is inscribed: TO THE MEMORY OF FALLEN POLISH AIRMEN and the other POLEGŁYM LOTNIKOM POLSKIM. The rear of these blocks has the inscription: I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT. I HAVE FINISHED MY COURSE. I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH. -II TIM.IV.7- Also to the rear is a sunken semi-circular walkway flanked by two walls of granite. These are engraved with the names of 1877* Polish airmen lost while under British Command, together with the insignias of the individual Polish Air Force wartime squadrons. There is also an inscription of the names of the 23 Polish airmen lost during the French campaign of 1940. The Memorial is fronted by a shallow ornamental pond surrounded by a paved walkway and adjacent grassed area and flower beds within a gated iron boundary fence. The Memorial is close to the southeast perimeter corner of RAF Northolt, the home of seven Polish fighter squadrons at different times during the war, including the 1st Polish Wing. The main entrance, through a cast iron gate on stone posts, is on the corner of the A4180 West End Road at the junction with the A40 Western Avenue roundabout. There is provision for restricted free parking on the adjacent access road. The nearest Underground and Mainline railway station is South Ruislip, a distance of approximately 1,200 yards and about a 14 minute walk. This prominent local heritage landmark has its own “Polish Air Force Memorial” sign beside the A40 trunk road in and out of London and regularly features in traffic reports on the radio. The London Borough of Hillingdon has been the owner and custodian of the Memorial since 1965 and keeps it in pristine condition with regular cleaning and maintenance. In 2015, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, the London Borough of Hillingdon, in partnership with the Polish Embassy in London, developed and created the Polish Air Force Memorial Remembrance Garden on an area of land on the west side of the Memorial boundary. This ornamental garden, with bench seating, includes trees, native hedges and wildflower meadows and a natural pond, all creating a diverse habitat for many different species of wildlife. The garden was officially opened on 5 September 2015 by the Leader of the London Borough of Hillingdon Raymond Puddifoot MBE and the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland Witold Sobków . The Memorial Garden, which has a national Green Flag Award, is regularly maintained by the Council’s own in-house maintenance team. *The official statistics for Polish airmen lost under British command reveal 1234 killed in action, 104 missing in action, now assumed killed in action, 394 killed training in operational units and 199 killed training in non-operational units, making a combined overall total of 1931.

f8142a08-7348-4541-bac1-5fcacd038bca Polish pilots’ remembrance service < Back IMG_0175.jpg IMG_0175.jpg 1/1 20 April 2023 Polish pilots’ remembrance service The New Romney Branch of The British Legion held a service of remembrance on Sunday 16 April at St Peter’s Church, Greatstone, Kent for two 303 Squadron pilots P/O Mieczysław Waszkiewicz and P/O Bogusław Mierzwa, both shot down and killed on the 16 April 1941. About 30 attended the service and wreaths were initially laid in the church and subsequently placed at the pilots’ Memorial on the nearby Dungeness Estate close to where they were killed. The Polish Air Force Memorial Committee was repreented by Trustee Rodney Byles who laid a wreath on its behalf. P/O Mieczysław Waszkiewicz and P/O Bogusław Mierzwa, flying from RAF Northolt, were escorting Blenheim bombers on a raid to Berck-sur-Mer in the Pas-de-Calais region of the French coast. On their return they were attacked by German fighters and both shot down and killed. P/O Mieczysław Waszkiewicz in Spitfire IIA P8039 with the code RF-R went into the Channel near the Dungeness coast and his body was never recovered. P/O Bogusław Mierzwa in Spitfire IIA P7819 with code RF-S crashed on the shore at Dungeness close to where the memorial is sited. P/O Bogusław Mierzwa is buried in Northwood cemetery grave H290. The wreckage of Spitfire P7819 was later recovered in 1982 and is planned to be rebuilt to flying condition with the registration G-TCHZ. The original memorial was created by Lance Corporal Jack Stratfield who was based at Dungeness during the war and came across the remains in 1942. Colin Clayton later resurrected it about 20 years ago and together with Michael Golding they have since maintained and cared for the memorial. It was subsequently replaced by a new memorial in 2021, generously funded by EDF Energy, which owns the Dungeness Estate, and was commemorated on the 80th Anniversary of the pilots’ death. The PAFMC recently donated a flower vase which was kindly installed at the Memorial by Michael Golding. What3Words links at Dungeness. The parking spot for easier access to the Memorial trump.widest.little https://what3words.com/trump.widest.little The site of the Memorial goals.toasted.aboard https://w3w.co/goals.toasted.aboard Previous Next

< Back Northolt Commemoration Ceremony 2022 Photo courtesy of the Polish Embassy 1/16 26 Sept 2022 Northolt Commemoration Ceremony 2022 The annual and 61st Ceremony of Homage to Fallen Polish Airmen during World War II, organised by the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee (PAFMC), was held at the Polish Air Force Memorial at South Ruislip on Saturday 3 September. The ceremony opened with a trumpeter sounding the assembly and a fly past of a Spitfire from the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight followed by a Parade of Standards led by the replica Polish Air Force Standard. Polish Air Force Memorial Committee Chairman Richard Kornicki CBE DL, welcomed dignitaries, veterans, guests and the public. Rector Commandant of the Polish Air Force University, Dęblin, Brigadier General Krzysztof Cur, paid tribute to the fallen Polish airmen in a moving speech. (His speech is available in full by clicking the link below) His address was followed by the Polish Roll-Call of the Fallen, carried out by the Officer Cadets of the Polish Air Force University, Dęblin, four of whom had cycled for 13 days from Dęblin, escorted by Major Grzegorz Buśko. Prayers followed by Ks Stefan Wylężek, Rector of the Polish Catholic Mission in England and Wales. Invited dignitaries, representing national and local government, Polish and Royal Air Forces and various organisations and associations laid wreaths on the Memorial. They were followed by veterans and descendants of the Polish Squadrons and Units commemorated on the Memorial that flew alongside the RAF from 1940 to 1945. Concluding Prayers were followed by the Last Post and a minute’s silence ending with Reveille. The ceremony ended with the Polish and UK national anthems and withdrawal of the Standards followed by the trumpeter playing ‘White Roses’. Personal wreaths were laid after the end of the ceremony. Music was provided by the RAF Central Band with the kind permission of the Air Force Board of the Defence Council. Invited guests transferred to RAF Northolt for a reception and lunch in the Station’s historic Officers’ Mess, which now includes the Polish Air Force Exhibition opened in May by the Consul General of Poland, Mateusz Stąsiek. Guests were entertained by Polish dancers followed by PAFMC chairman Richard Kornicki’s presentation of a Commendation to aviation enthusiast Lewis Shelley who, with no personal connections with Poland, made an exceptional contribution to preserving the memory of the Polish Air Force by identifying the site of Sgt František’s fatal crash during the Battle of Britain enabling a Memorial to be created at the spot. Brigadier General Krzysztof Cur presented PAFMC chairman Richard Kornicki with the Commemorative Badge of the Polish Air Force University for his dedication and long-term work in promoting the memory and achievements of the Polish Air Force. A Spitfire from the Historic Aircraft Collection at Duxford, which flew in Polish 315 and 317 Sqns during the war, provided a flypast and landed and taxied close to the Officers’ Mess. Officer Cadets of the Polish Air Force University, Dęblin, each sat in the cockpit, prior to acting as ground crew to turn the aircraft round ready for taxiing out for takeoff. Photos in the slide show are courtesy of Marek Borzęcki, unless otherwise stated. An archival record of the Commemoration by Marek Borzęcki is available on YouTube at the following link: https://youtu.be/cglv7nLXRZI Polish TV has posted a short clip of the Northolt ceremony and is available at 2.40 into the following link. https://magazynzwysp.tvp.pl/62304521/odc-208-magazyn-z-wysp Next year’s Commemoration will take place on Saturday 2 September at 12.00 Programme .pdf Download PDF • 158.43MB PAFMC Commendations (2022) .pdf Download PDF • 100KB Speech of Brig.Gen Cur (English) .pdf Download PDF • 55KB Speech of General Cur (Polish) .pdf Download PDF • 64KB Previous Next

< Back New Polish Air Force Exhibition opens at RAF Northolt The new Polish Air Force Memorial Committee exhibition is located in The Polish Air Force Room in the heart of RAF Northolt’s Officers’ Mess. Photo Marek Borzęcki. Consul General Mateusz Stąsiek opened the new Polish Air Force Memorial Committee exhibition in RAF Northolt Officers’ Mess with Station Commander Gp Capt Toria McPhaden. Photo Marek Borzęcki. Poland Consul General Mateusz Stąsiek placed a wreath at RAF Northolt’s memorial to Polish and other pilots who died flying from the Station. Photo Marek Borzęcki. The new Polish Air Force Memorial Committee exhibition is located in The Polish Air Force Room in the heart of RAF Northolt’s Officers’ Mess. Photo Marek Borzęcki. 1/7 4 May 2022 New Polish Air Force Exhibition opens at RAF Northolt The Consul General of Poland, Mateusz Stąsiek has officially opened the new Polish Air Force Memorial Committee (PAFMC) exhibition housed in the historic Officers’ Mess at RAF Northolt. The new exhibition contains artefacts and memorabilia from the PAFMC Collection, as well as loaned items. The offer of the new facility in the heart of the Officers’ Mess was kindly made by the Station Commander, Group Captain Toria McPhaden, recognising the important shared heritage of the Polish Squadrons which flew from her Station during the war. This exhibition area in the Officer’s Mess will be known as The Polish Air Force Room. Poland Consul General Mateusz Stąsiek said: "I am honoured to have opened a new exhibition dedicated to the Polish Air Force in the historic Officers’ Mess at RAF Northolt. It represents the newest addition to the map of places of Polish heritage in the United Kingdom and reminds us very well of the vital contribution of the Polish Air Force during the Second World War. Thank you to the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee and RAF Northolt for making this important display possible." The opening of the new exhibition was the focus of the Consul General’s visit to RAF Northolt where he also placed a wreath at the Station’s memorial to Polish and other pilots who died flying from RAF Northolt. Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the new PAFMC exhibition the Consul General, together with representatives from RAF Northolt and Polish Air Force Memorial Committee Trustees, enjoyed a buffet lunch in the Officers’ Mess. The Consul General’s visit was hosted jointly by RAF Northolt Station Commander Gp Cpt Toria McPhaden and Polish Air Force Memorial Committee Chairman Richard Kornicki. RAF Northolt Station Commander, Group Captain Toria McPhaden said: "It is a privilege and honour to continue to support our Polish community and its long history with RAF Northolt. The new exhibition will ensure the Polish connection continues to be visible and remain a part of the rich heritage of RAF Northolt" PAFMC Chairman Richard Kornicki said: “We are extremely grateful to the Station Commander and the members of the Officers’ Mess for offering us this splendid new facility in the historic heart of RAF Northolt. It will play a key part in enabling us to tell the story of the Polish Air Force to an ever-widening range of visitors.” The new exhibition in the Officers’ Mess will be open to anyone interested, but because RAF Northolt is an operational RAF Station, visits must be arranged in organised tours. Dates of open tours will be placed on this website shortly; visits to the exhibition on other dates can be arranged for group bookings, subject to staff availability and operational requirements. Previous Next