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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

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 pilots’ remembrance service Dungeness Previous Next Jonathan Kellett on the right with his sister and brother at the Dungeness Memorial for 303Sqn pilots P/O Mieczysław Waszkiewicz and P/O Bogusław Mierzwa both shot down and killed in the same combat on 16 April 1941. Photo courtesy Michael Golding P/O Mieczyslaw Waszkiewicz was shot down and killed in combat in 303Sqn MkIIA Spitfire P8039 on 16 April 1941 and crashed into the Channel near Dungeness. His body was never recovered. He was 24 years old and only served with 303Sqn for three weeks. Commissioned in August 1939, he saw combat over Poland in 1939 and over France in 1940. In Britain he was originally posted to 307Sqn on Defiants but, like many of his colleagues, he applied for a re-posting to day fighter units. This 303sqn MkIIA Spitfire P7819 code RF-S with pilot P/O Bogusław Mierzwa was shot down and crashed on the shore at Dungeness close to where the memorial is sited. He is buried in Northwood cemetery grave H290. Jonathan Kellett on the right with his sister and brother at the Dungeness Memorial for 303Sqn pilots P/O Mieczysław Waszkiewicz and P/O Bogusław Mierzwa both shot down and killed in the same combat on 16 April 1941. Photo courtesy Michael Golding 1/9 Friday, 2 May 2025 Polish pilots’ remembrance service Dungeness The New Romney Branch of The British Legion held a service of remembrance on Sunday 27 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 in combat on the 16 April 1941. Following the service wreaths were placed at the pilots’ Memorial on the nearby Dungeness Estate close to where they were killed. The Polish Air Force Memorial Committee (PAFMC) was represented by Jonathan Kellett, who together with his brother and one of his sisters, laid a wreath on its behalf. Their father W/C Ronald Kellett commanded 303Sqn at Northolt during the Battle of Britain. 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 MkIIA Spitfire 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 MkIIA Spitfire 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. 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

Skrzydła We hope to index a number of back issues of Skrzydła (Wings) magazine. Coming soon.... Constitution Constitution of a Charitable Incorporated Organisation whose only voting members are its charity trustees (‘Foundation’ model constitution) Date of constitution (last amended): 9th December 2019 1. Name The name of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation (“the CIO”) is: THE POLISH AIR FORCE MEMORIAL COMMITTEE 2. National location of principal office The principal office of the CIO is in England: 15 Kings Avenue Ealing London W5 2SJ 3. Objectives The objectives of the CIO are: To commemorate for the public benefit the achievements of the Polish Air Force in the Second World War and to honour fallen Polish Airmen by the creation and maintenance of public memorials; To educate and inform the public about the Polish Air Force and its history including by operating the Polish Air Force Museum; Nothing in this constitution shall authorise an application of the property of the CIO for purposes which are not charitable. The Polish Air Force Memorial Committee Constitution is available in full DOWNLOAD Trustees LINK

Who we are The Polish Air Force Memorial Committee The Polish Air Force Memorial Committee (PAFMC) is a registered charity (no. 1185691) formed “to commemorate for the public benefit the achievements of the Polish Air Force in the Second World War; to honour fallen Polish Airmen by the creation and maintenance of public memorials; and to educate and inform the public about the Polish Air Force and its history, including the operation of Polish Air Force Museums”. The PAFMC is the designated successor of the Polish Air Force Association (PAFA), who set it up to continue their work in the longer term. Its origins go back to the summer of 1945 and concern about the problems facing those Poles who decided to stay in exile in Britain rather than return to the Communist-ruled Poland or migrate to other countries. To meet their needs a veterans' organisation, originally named Samopomoc Lotnicza, (Aviation self-help) was established; this soon adopted the English title Polish Air Force Association. The Polish name was later changed to Stowarzyszenie Lotników Polskich (SLP). The PAFA made a great contribution to the welfare of those Polish Air Force (PAF) personnel who remained in exile in Britain. With its headquarters at Collingham Gardens in London, the PAFA set up branches with clubs in major cities throughout Britain. It published the periodical magazine Skrzydła (Wings) and later in 1991 commissioned the definitive The Polish Air Force At War The Official History by Jerzy Cynk, published in 1998. Following the unveiling of the Polish Air Force Memorial at South Ruislip in 1948, the PAFA took on the organisation of the annual commemoration ceremony of homage to the fallen Polish airmen. In 1968 it initiated the installation of the Polish Air Force Memorial slab in the floor of the RAF St. Clement Danes Church, Strand, London and in 1981 it was responsible for the unveiling of the PAF stained glass window in St. Andrew Bobola’s Church, Hammersmith, London. In 1990 the PAFA was also responsible for installing the Memorial plaque commemorating the PAF in St Paul’s Cathedral which was unveiled by HRH The Duke of Kent. After the first free elections in Poland in 1989, PAFA escorted and returned its most cherished war relic - the Polish Air Force Standard - to Poland during a PAFA World Reunion in Warsaw in 1992. This is now on display in the Polish Air Force Museum, Dęblin. A replica of the original Standard, created on the authority of the then Commander in Chief of the Polish Air Force, Lt Gen Lech Majewski, is held in Britain and is on display at the Polish Air Force Museum at the Battle of Britain Bunker Visitor Centre at Uxbridge. It is paraded at the annual commemoration ceremony at the Polish Air Force Memorial at South Ruislip and at the annual Battle of Britain service at Capel-le-Ferne, Kent. In 1987 the PAFA sold most of its property and used the proceeds to create the PAFA Charitable Trust (PAFACT). In 1999, as the numbers of surviving veterans declined, the PAFA dissolved and transferred all remaining assets to the PAFACT. At the same time all PAFA’s former local branches and clubs either closed or became totally separate private and independent organisations and ceasing affiliation to the PAF. The PAFACT, together with the Polish Air Force Benevolent Fund, which it had absorbed, continued until the end of 2010, when it also dissolved and distributed its assets, including a substantial donation to the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum. The PAFACT also provided funding to enable the continuation of its most important functions, including the annual commemoration ceremony of homage to fallen Polish airmen at the Polish Air Force Memorial at South Ruislip. This was accomplished in early 2011 by the PAFACT’s creation of a simpler body, the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee (PAFMC). To maintain governance and continuity the PAFACT’s Honorary Secretary Richard Kornicki was appointed PAFMC Chairman and the PAFACT’s Chairman Eugeniusz Borysiuk appointed a founder committee member. The PAFACT also transferred ownership of all art works and memorabilia, including the PAFA Standard, to the PAFMC for safekeeping. The PAFA Standard should be displayed in the PAF Museum at RAF Northolt when not in ceremonial use at the annual Polish Air Force Memorial ceremony or other similar events. The PAFA Standard is currently in illegal and unauthorised possession elsewhere from the PAFMC. The PAFMC was formed with the explicit agreement of the Commander in Chief of the Polish Air Force, Lt Gen Lech Majewski, and of the Chief of the Air Staff for the Royal Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton. It remains to this day the direct formal successor of the Polish Air Force active in Britain during WWII, and the organisations that represented it here after the war. The speech by PAFAT chairman Eugeniusz Borysiuk at the dissolution lunch on 4 November 2010 can be viewed by clicking this link In 2019 the PAFMC became a charitable registered organisation number 1185691. Speech

Hurricane to fly to Poland Previous Next The Polish Heritage Flight, in partnership, with the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee, are planning a flight of a Hurricane from Duxford to Dęblin in August 2025. Photo courtesy Darran Harber. The Polish Heritage Flight, in partnership, with the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee, are planning a flight of a Hurricane from Duxford to Dęblin in August 2025. Photo courtesy Darran Harber. The Polish Heritage Flight, in partnership, with the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee, are planning a flight of a Hurricane from Duxford to Dęblin in August 2025. Photo courtesy Darran Harber. The Polish Heritage Flight, in partnership, with the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee, are planning a flight of a Hurricane from Duxford to Dęblin in August 2025. Photo courtesy Darran Harber. 1/5 Friday, 13 June 2025 Hurricane to fly to Poland To commemorate the 85th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain and the centenary of the Polish Air Force University, Dęblin, the Polish Heritage Flight (PHF), in partnership with the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee, (PAFMC) are planning a commemorative flight of a Hawker Hurricane from Duxford in the UK to Dęblin in Poland. This symbolic flight, by Hurricane G-HURI, is planned for the last two weeks of August 2025 and in time for the Polish Armed Forces Day on 15 August. Routes and itinerary will depend on interest, bookings and funding. More details will be published nearer the time with an anticipated return to the UK during the first week of September. The Hurricane carries the markings of the Polish 302 ‘City of Poznan’ Squadron, based at RAF Duxford for a brief time during the Battle of Britain in September 1940. The starboard side has been painted as P2954 with the squadron code WX-E, flown by F/Lt Tadeusz Chlopik, while the port side represents P3935 as WX-D, the aircraft of F/Lt, later W/Cdr, Julian Kowalski. On 15 September 1940 both pilots were scrambled to intercept German bombers over North Weald. Chlopik claimed the shared destruction of a Dornier Do 17 before P2954 was shot down above the Essex airfield. Chlopik bailed out, but was killed. He is buried in Sutton Road Cemetery, Southend-on-Sea. In the same engagement Kowalski, flying P3935 WX-D, shot down a Do 17 and damaged another. He later became the commander of 302 Sqn and from April 1944 commanded No 1 (Polish) Wing at RAF Northolt. He survived the war and settled in Ipswich, Suffolk. The sight and sound of a Hurricane in Poland will be a symbol of our eternal gratitude to the Polish people, airmen and all those who came to the island of the last hope ‘Wyspa ostatniej nadziei’ to fight for your freedom and ours ‘Za wolność naszą i waszą’ in the Second World War. Since the PHF was formed in 2019 it has always been a dream to take the Hurricane to Poland. It would be a fitting conclusion to a project that has worked hard to tell the Polish Air Force story in the UK for the past five years. During the flight, it is hoped to include other historic locations in Poland, but it is critical to raise the required funds first. The estimated cost of the project is £35,000, which includes items such as fuel, insurance, administration, transit costs and fees, logistics and support, hangarage, aircraft consumables and spares and accommodation. Whilst in Dęblin it is hoped to attract enough interest and financial support to visit other locations in Poland. This historic flight can be made a reality by donating to the project and every penny raised will be used solely to meet the project costs. We are looking for dedications and messages on our Just Giving page, which can be found at this link https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/duxfordtodeblin to help take the Hurricane to Poland in August 2025. Every message and dedication from contributors to this project will be hand written and entered into a special Memorial Book. This book will then be flown in the Hurricane to Poland and presented to the Polish Air Force and the People of Poland. So who can you give a dedication for? It could be a family member, a person you knew or someone you’ve read, watched, listened about or connected with. It can be anyone who played a part in the Second World War. It is not restricted to pilots or air force personnel. It could be a particular squadron, a place or a time, a group, company or organisation, a message of gratitude or a simple ‘Thank You’. Enter your dedication or message and help us say the best ‘Thank you’ we possibly can. https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/duxfordtodeblin Thank You Trustees PAFMC Previous Next

Trustees Patron: Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton GCB LLD(Hon) DSc(Hon) BSc FRAeS CCM Trustees: Krzysztof de Berg Chairman Chris Norman Treasurer Joanna Młudzińska Honorary Secretary Vacant Curator, Military History London Borough of Hillingdon Richard Lewis London Borough of Hillingdon Steve Bieniek Facebook/Website Richard Kornicki CBE DL Julian Kowalski Associates - Non-voting: Geoff Burton Marek Iczkiewicz Phil Kwissa 8 April 2026

< Back Polish Air Force University Commandant thanks PAFMC 1/1 22 Oct 2022 Polish Air Force University Commandant thanks PAFMC The Commandant Brig. Gen Krzysztof Cur of the Polish Air Force University in Dęblin, together with a delegation of Cadets, some of whom cycled from Poland, attended the Annual Ceremony of Homage to Polish Air Force personnel at the Polish Air Force Memorial, South Ruislip, during a recent visit to the UK. His letter of thanks, addressed to PAFMC Chairman Richard Kornicki is attached below: Previous Next

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Notification of deaths Lieutenant Jan Stangryciuk-Black Air Gunner 18.04.1922 – 22.10.2023 Jan Stangryciuk was born on 18 April 1922 in Chełm, Poland south east of Lublin near the border with Ukraine. At the age of 12 he emigrated to Argentina with his family. When war broke out in 1939 and the subsequent fall of France, he volunteered to come to Britain and joined the Polish Air Force and trained as an air gunner. During a nighttime training flight his Wellington bomber suffered an engine failure shortly after take off and crashed and burst into flames. He valiantly tried to save his crewmates but in vain and was the only survivor. He suffered severe burns to his face and hands and spent many years of treatment under the care of the renowned and innovative plastic surgeon Archibald McIndoe. He subsequently joined 300 Squadron and flew on four operations before undergoing further treatment. Jan was believed to be the last survivor of 300 Squadron and the last survivor of the Guinea Pig Club, which was formed by recovering airmen to support aircrew undergoing reconstructive plastic surgery. He was also the only Polish serviceman to take part in the Victory parade of 1946 where he laid a wreath on behalf of the Guinea Pig Club. Jan left the Polish Air Force in 1948 and married Evelyn Black and took on her surname. His last public appearance was on 2 September 2023 at the ceremony of Homage to fallen Polish Airmen at the Polish Air Force Memorial at Northolt. Although visibly frail he laid a wreath on behalf of his former 300 Squadron and received a standing ovation from the attending congregation. Jan is survived by his second wife Jadwiga who, with her family, kept him company in his last years. LAC Eugeniusz Borysiuk Instrument Repairer 03.11.1927 – 30.03.2023 Eugeniusz Borysiuk was born on 3rd November 1927 and was 11 when the war broke out. He was deported to Siberia by the Soviets and worked as slave labour in a logging camp in desperate winter cold. In 1941, when Poles were released by the Soviets, he made his way via Tehran to Palestine, and was one of those who volunteered for training as engineering apprentices. Travelling via the Cape, he reached RAF Halton in Aug 1943 and completed his training in 1947. He then served for 5 yrs in the RAF before joining Marconi and eventually becoming Company Quality Manager. He was the last Chairman of the Polish Air Force Association before its dissolution at the end of 2011 when the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee was established to continue the commemorative work, with Eugeniusz among its founding members. He was among the few surviving veterans who was presented to HRH the Duke of Kent at the Polish Air Force Memorial in 2018 and to the Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydło and to Teresa May when they visited the Memorial in 2016, joining them for a reception at 10 Downing Street. In 2020, accompanied by his wife Mira, he was guest of honour at RAF Halton staying in the Officers' Mess for their Battle of Britain Dinner - a long journey from his days as a Polish Air Force apprentice on the Station during the war. Eugeniusz was among that breed of modest and dignified Polish Air Force veterans who worked quietly for the memory of all they had served with and spoke little about themselves. He is remembered with admiration and affection in equal measure. W/O Jan Tadeusz Baxter (Zabłocki) 300Sqn Pilot 03.04.1920 - 12.03.2021 Jan Tadeusz Baxter, one of the last surviving pilots of the wartime Polish Air Force, died on 12th of March, just short of his 101st birthday. Born in 1920 with the surname Zabłocki, he was selected for pilot training in Poland but did not complete his training before the outbreak of war. He escaped through central Europe to France, and from there to Britain where he was initially stationed at RAF Swinderby on ground duties with 300 Squadron of the Polish Air Force. After pilot training in Britain and Canada, in 1943 he was posted back to 300 Squadron, now at RAF Ingham, flying Wellingtons mainly on mine-laying duties. He converted to the Halifax and then served in 1586 Special Duties Flight at Brindisi. Between March and May 1944 he flew 27 operational night sorties, 11 of which were to Poland, dropping supplies for the Home Army. He described how "Flying low over the DZ [Drop Zone] during the Drop, I opened the side window and felt a rush of clear Polish air ... The flights to Poland were exhilarating and, if the missions were accomplished, they gave a lot of satisfaction to myself and the crew. More than once I had the moving experience of seeing the lights of my home town, Kraków, in the distance." After his tour at Brindisi, he returned to England to serve as an instructor. He stayed in Britain after the war, flying commercially, including making 242 flights during the Berlin Airlift. In 1951 he joined the RAF and served in flying roles in Aden and Malaysia as well as home postings. He is survived by his widow and two sons by his first wife. Col Mieczysław J Stachiewicz 301Sqn Pilot 21.05.1917 - 30.04.2020 W/O Jerzy E Główczewski 308Sqn Pilot 19.11.1922 - 13.04.2020 Following the German and Soviet invasions he was forced to head south to Romania. A year later he had to flee again and made his way to Haifa in Palestine. Here he initially joined the Independent Carpathian Brigade but then volunteered for pilot training in the Polish Air Force and arrived in Britain in 1942. In late 1944 he joined 308 City of Krakow Squadron. After the war he returned to Poland and worked on the rebuilding of Warsaw followed by lecturing in the US and the modernisation and reconstruction of the ancient city of Aswan in Egypt. He settled in New York as an architect and lectured at the Pratt Institute and was the author of several books. W/O Roman M Golicz 300Sqn Air Gunner 06.12.1925 - 06.04.2020 W/O Julian Michalski 304Sqn Navigator 05.02.1919 - 03.04.2020 He joined the Polish army in 1937 and on the Russian invasion his unit moved into Hungary. Disarmed, they were permitted to travel through Yugoslavia and Italy to France. When France collapsed they moved to Spain and then to Algiers. As all transport to Britain was reserved for airmen, they drove across the Sahara to Nigeria. The British High Commission in Kano sent them by sea to Egypt where they joined the Polish contingent in Alexandria. He fought at Tobruk and was then sent to Britain by sea escorting enemy prisoners. On arrival in Liverpool he volunteered for the Polish Air Force and was sent to Canada for training as a Navigator. Returning to Britain at the end of 1943 he was allocated to 304 Sqn, Coastal Command, on convoy protection and anti-submarine missions from RAF Benbecula. After the war, he returned to his studies, became a lecturer and eventually professor at Birmingham University. Lt Wanda Szuwalska-Gaweł 300Sqn Clerk 18.01.1923 - 26.03.2020 Deported to Siberia as a teenager in 1940, she arrived with her family after a 3-week rail journey. She was put to work clearing forests alongside her father. After the 1941 Polish/Soviet agreement, she got out through Uzbekistan to join Anders’ army in Persia. Volunteering for the Polish WAAFs, she travelled from Alexandria on a warship through the Mediterranean to Britain, arriving at the end of 1943. As a WAAF she served in 300, Land of Mazovia, Squadron and then from 1944 at Fighter Command HQ , Bentley Priory. W/O Marian Jankiewicz 315Sqn Pilot 18.01.1923 - 02.09.2019 He was arrested by the Red Army in 1939 aged 16 and sentenced to 16 years hard labour in Siberia. After the German invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, under a Polish/Soviet agreement Poles were released and allowed to make their own way to join Polish forces. Making his way via Persia and India, he reached the UK and joined the Polish Air Force. On completion of flying training he was posted to 315, City of Dęblin, Squadron flying Mustangs as bomber escorts. Post-war he served in the RAF until 1968 and then until 1987 with the Air Force of the United Arab Emirates 'May they rest in peace'

Events 29 August 2026 Northolt Commemoration Ceremony 11.00 at the Polish Air Force Memorial, South Ruislip, HA4 6QX The annual and 65th Ceremony of Homage to Fallen Polish Airmen during the Second World War will be held at the Polish Air Force Memorial at South Ruislip on Saturday 29 August at 11.00. View More 20 September 2026 Thanksgiving Service for the 86th anniversary of the Battle of Britain 11.00 at Westminster Abbey, London, SW1P 3PA. "Had it not been for the magnificent material contributed by the Polish squadrons and their unsurpassed gallantry, I hesitate to say that the outcome of battle would have been the same." - Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding, Commander of RAF Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain. View More 28 September 2025 Air Bridge Commemoration Service in remembrance of the casualties of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising British Commonwealth and Polish War Graves Cemetery, London Road, Newark, Notts. Guests and Standard Bearers assemble at Cemetery Gates 13.45. Procession to the Air Bridge Memorial 14.00. Remembrance Ceremony 14.15. View More 26 October 2025 All Souls' Ceremony in remembrance of the Polish Airmen who gave their lives in WW2. British Commonwealth and Polish War Graves Cemetery, London Road, Newark, Notts. 14.30. Guests and Standard Bearers assemble at the Thoresby Avenue entrance for the procession to the Polish War Graves Cemetery. View More

Museum Northolt Museum Polish Air Force Exhibition tours RAF Northolt, which hosts the only exhibition and museum dedicated to the Polish Air Force in Britain, has advised organised tours to the museum. These visits, which also include the restored Sector Operations Room, subject to guide's availability, will be hosted by the Polish Air force Memorial Committee (PAFMC). The PAFMC will endeavour to arrange visits on a monthly basis; please contact us, details below, to confirm dates and to book a place. The Exhibition is housed in The Polish Air Force Room in the heart of the Officers’ Mess. It tells the story of the Polish Air Force and its achievements during the Second World War in Poland, France and England. It combines personal memorabilia, artworks, aircraft models, photographs, and display panels. It is particularly fitting the Exhibition is at RAF Northolt, which for most of the war was home to a Polish Fighter Wing of three Squadrons on rotation. In 1940, the 303 (Polish) Tadeusz Kościuszko City of Warsaw Squadron, flying Hurricanes, became the most successful allied Squadron that fought in the Battle of Britain with 126 confirmed victories, despite only being operational for less than half the period of the Battle. Each tour will be limited to 15 people and applications should be made via the Contacts page on the PAFMC website https://www.polishairforcememorialcommittee.org/contact-2 For Group visits separate arrangements can be made on other dates. Tours will start at 14.00 after checking in beforehand at the RAF Northolt Main Gate. This is the second gate on the A4180 West End Road, when approaching from the A40 Polish Air Force Memorial round about. As RAF Northolt is an operational base visitors attending by car will need to confirm, prior to the visit, vehicle make, model, colour and registration. Photo ID will also be required to access the base. For those attending by public transport the nearest Underground Station is Ruislip Gardens approximately 200 yards from the Main Gate security office on the A4180 West End Road. All visits are subject to overriding operational requirements. There is no charge for visiting the exhibition, which is housed at RAF Northolt by kind permission of the Station Commander, but as funding for exhibits and conservation is all met privately through the PAFMC and guides give up their time voluntarily, donations to the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee are appreciated. There is also a small selection of books, pamphlets and DVDs available for card payments. While we welcome young people, the duration of the visit and some of the more technical material make it unsuitable for anyone under 12. Battle of Britain Bunker In addition to the museum at RAF Northolt, a permanent exhibition on the Polish Air Force has been created at the Battle of Britain Bunker, Uxbridge. (https://battleofbritainbunker.co.uk/). 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 exhibits include a replica of the wartime Polish Air Force Standard, which is paraded annually at the Northolt Memorial Commemoration and at other commemorative events.