Crash Sites of Fallen Polish Air Force airmen during the Battle of Britain

2017 28 November Polish 317 Squadron pilot remembered. Polish pilot P/O Stanislaw Kurowicki from 317 (Polish) City of Wilno Squadron was honoured at the Remembrance service on 11 November at Fairlop Waters Country Park, Essex, the former home of RAF Fairlop. Wreaths were laid accompanied by the Polish Flag and Polish National Anthem. P/O Stanislaw Kurowicki was killed in action on 11th September 1943. P/O Stanislaw Kurowicki was posted to 317 Sqn at RAF Fairlop on 21st August 1943. On 11th September he was in one of the squadron’s 11 Spitfires that took off at 18.00 as part of the Polish Wing fighter escort to a target at Rouen, France. Over the target P/O Stanislaw Kurowicki shot down a Focke Wulf FW 190 before announcing on the radio that he had been hit. He was last seen fighting with four FW 190s south west of Rouen. P/O Stanislaw Kurowicki was the only pilot from 317 Sqn killed during its stay at Fairlop. His grave is in St. Marie Cemetery, Le Havre, France. Information and some photos supplied by Robert Pliszka. Photos in the slide show can be viewed by clicking the image then the arrows. Fairlop Waters Country Park, Essex, the former home of RAF Fairlop and 317 City of Wilno Squadron. Robert Pliszka St. Marie Cemetery, Le Havre, France Fairlop Waters Country Park, Essex, the former home of RAF Fairlop and 317 City of Wilno Squadron. 1/9 22 November Polish 'Lego' Spitfire A model of a Spitfire in the colours of 303 Polish Squadron is available as a brick construction kit from the RAF Museum shop. The MkVb Spitfire, which has 290 pieces compatible with Lego, has a retractable undercarriage, rotating propeller and a pilot figure. A stand is also included in the set which is suitable for age 6 and above. It is priced at £22.99 and is available via this link. Spitfire 29 October Polish Air Force Museum Northolt tour dates 2018 RAF Northolt, which hosts the only Museum dedicated to the Polish Air Force in Britain, has advised dates for organised tours to the Museum in 2018. These are on Saturdays as follows: 14 April, 2 June, 4 August, 17 September. Each tour will be limited to 20 people and applications should be made to the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee chairman Richard Kornicki via email: richardkornicki@gmail.com . Tours will start at 14.00 and if over subscribed additional tours will run on the same dates at 11.00 after checking in beforehand at the security office, which is accessed via the White House Gate. This is the first gate on the A4180 West End Road, when approaching from the A40 Polish Air Force Memorial roundabout and is on the left just before a Shell garage. 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 South Ruislip, approximately 600 metres from the White House Gate security office. Visits to the museum might also be possible on other dates in special circumstances, subject to staff availability and operational requirements. There are no charges for visiting the Museum. However, as the Museum is housed at RAF Northolt by kind permission of the Station Commander, funding for exhibits and conservation is all met privately through the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee and guides give up their time voluntarily. Donations to the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee are appreciated. Visitors may also wish to perhaps use the opportunity to visit the Polish Air Force Memorial and adjacent Memorial Gardens at Northolt and the nearby Northwood Cemetery, Chestnut Avenue, Northwood, Middlesex, HA6 1HR, which is just a 20 minute drive from the Northolt Memorial. The Orchard, Ruislip, HA4 7DR, - now a Beefeater restaurant - is also on route to the cemetery. For information on the Museum and the nearby Battle of Britain Bunker at Uxbridge, please click the ‘Museum’ page above. 29 September Kraków honours Polish pilot A street in Kraków has been named Majora Pilota Stefana Janusa (Major pilot Stefan Janus street) after Wg/Cdr Stefan Władysław Janus DSO, DFC, VM, KW and three bars. Stefan Władysław Janus was born on 22 March 1910 in Wola Duchacka, near Kraków. He had three brothers and all became airmen. In 1931 Janus joined the Polish Artillery Cadet Officers Reserve School at Włodzimierz Wołyński, and on graduation went to the Polish Artillery College in Toruń. He was commissioned in 1934. At the same time he completed a flying training course at the Air Force Officers Training Centre in Dęblin. Janus was posted to 22nd Light Bomber Squadron of the 2nd Air Regiment in Kraków. After completing an advanced flying course at Grudziądz, he joined the 122nd Fighter Squadron in Kraków. Later he was appointed a flying instructor in Dęblin. In September 1939, together with a group of cadet officers, Janus crossed the Hungarian border. He continued through Yugoslavia and Greece to France and from there was posted to a training unit in North Africa. After arriving in Britain, on 22 September 1940 Janus was posted to the newly formed 308 (Polish) City of Kraków Squadron. From 22 June 1941 he commanded ‘A’ Flight. On 17 November 1941 he took command of 315 (Polish) City of Dęblin Squadron. In May 1942 Janus was appointed Commander of the 1st Polish Wing at Northolt. On 26 January 1943 Janus collided with another pilot over France and was captured. He remained in the POW camp Stalag Luft III in Zagan until the end of the war. After returning to Britain he was an operations officer at RAF 11 Group Head Quarters at Uxbridge. In 1953 Janus joined the RAF, where he stayed until his retirement in 1965. Janus died on 11 November 1978 in East Farleigh near Maidstone, Kent. His ashes were taken to Poland and are buried at Rakowicki Cemetery in Kraków. Janus is credited with destroying six enemy aircraft and damaging one. Information provided by Peter Sikora. Photos in the slide show can be viewed by clicking the image then the arrows. The grave of Wg/Cdr Stefan Władysław Janus and his wife Jadwiga in Rakowicki Cemetery, Kraków. Photo copyright Michal Slizowski. 1/9 22 September Northolt Commemoration Ceremony The annual and 57th Ceremony of Homage to Fallen Polish Airmen during World War II was held at the Polish Air Force Memorial, Northolt on Saturday 2 September. The Ceremony opened with a Trumpeter and Drummer from the RAF Auxiliary Air Force Band sounding the Assembly prior to the Parade of Standards led by the replica Polish Air Force Wilno Standard. Polish Air Force Memorial Committee Chairman Richard Kornicki CBE DL, followed with his introductory address, welcoming dignitaries, veterans, guests and the public. Richard Kornicki said that we come together again to commemorate the achievements of the Polish Air Force in the West and to honour the memory of the Polish airmen whose names are engraved on the granite walls behind the Memorial. He added that Polish airmen created remarkable bonds and links with communities, which are now stronger than ever and cited several examples. These included the Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydło’s first engagement, on her inaugural UK-Poland Intergovernmental Consultations visit last year, to lay wreaths and meet veterans with the British Prime Minister Theresa May at the Memorial, followed by a reception at 10 Downing Street. His address was followed by the Polish Roll-Call of the Fallen, carried out by the Officer Cadets of the Polish Air Force Academy, Dęblin; Prayers; the Last Post and a minute’s silence ended by Reveille. Invited dignitaries, representing national and local government, 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. The hour-long ceremony ended with the Polish and UK national anthems. Unfortunately the flypast from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight was cancelled due to engine problems. In his closing remarks Richard Kornicki thanked all those involved with the Ceremony for their help, in particular Air Cadets from Middlesex Wing, 308, 315, 316 and 317 Squadrons for without them this Ceremony simply could not take place. Music to an exceptionally high standard was provided by the National Marching Band of the Air Training Corps. He then called on Alexsander Smaga and colleagues representing the Ribbon of Memorial project in Kraków, to take a sample of Northolt earth to be buried in Kraków, representing the support provided by the Polish Air Force for the work of the Home Army throughout the war. Following the Ceremony guests transferred to RAF Northolt for a reception and lunch in the Station’s Sword and Wheel Club, while being entertained by Polish dancers. RAF Northolt Station Commander, Group Captain Mike Carver and Acting Republic of Poland Defence Attaché, Lt Col Artur Miśkiewicz, awarded PAFMC Commendations to people who, with no personal connections with Poland, have made an exceptional contribution to preserving the memory of Polish Airmen. The Memorial programme, speeches and commendations can be viewed by clicking the relevant icons below. Photos in the slide show can be viewed by clicking the image then the arrows. All photos Crown copyright unless otherwise stated. An amateur video of the Ceremony, by Thomas Ozel, can be viewed here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlwOXAq9ufo Programme Introduction Closing remarks Commendations Next year's ceremony will take place on Saturday 1st September, 2018 at 12.00. NHT-Official-20170902-163-002 NHT-Official-20170902-163-003 Charlea Bright receiving the PAFMC Commendation on behalf of Kelly-Ann Donaldson and the Mess Team from RAF Northolt Station Commander, Group Captain Mike Carver and Acting Republic of Poland Defence Attaché, Lt Col Artur Miśkiewicz. Photo copyright Marek Borzecki, NHT-Official-20170902-163-002 1/130 21 September New Station Commander RAF Northolt Group Captain Mike Carver has taken over as Station Commander of Royal Air Force Northolt. He officially took command of the Station on 28 July, taking over from Group Captain David Manning. A highly experienced Pilot, Mike Carver was commissioned into the RAF in 1986 and served the majority of his flying career on the Hercules transport aircraft of Number 24 and 47 Squadrons. A veteran of operations flying in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Balkans, he has also served in a number of staff roles in both Permanent Joint Headquarters and Air Command. These experiences will be a perfect background given Northolt’s role as the Royal Air Force’s strategic site in London, and home to 32 supported units from across Government and Defence including 32 (The Royal) Squadron, which provides Air Transport to the UK’s Governmental and military leaders. “I’m delighted and honoured to have been appointed as Royal Air Force Northolt’s Station Commander, particularly with RAF100 next year,” said Mike Carver. “It’s already very clear to me what a professional, spirited and dedicated team Northolt possesses. Northolt is both a highly diverse and key strategic airbase for the United Kingdom and I am very much looking forward to playing my part in maximising the opportunities that these will offer.” For further information please contact RAF Northolt Media & Communications Officer, Sq/Ldr James Tenniswood via email:NOR-BSWMCO@mod.uk Click image to enlarge. Group Captain Mike Carver (right), is handed the Station Commander’s pennant by outgoing Station Commander David Manning. Photo Crown copyright. Group Captain Mike Carver (right), is handed the Station Commander’s pennant by outgoing Station Commander David Manning. Photo Crown copyright. 1/1 14 September Polish records appointment. The Army Personnel Centre (APC) has appointed Monika Helman as Administrative Officer at the APC Disclosures 5 (Polish) office at RAF Northolt. Monika replaces Barbara Kroll, who has retired and is working alongside Executive Officer Margaret Goddard. Monika can be contacted via email NOR-PolishDiscOfficeAsst2@mod.uk . The APC Disclosures 5 (Polish) has access to the approximate 300,000 service records of ex-servicemen and women who served in the Polish Army, Navy and Polish Air Force under British command during WWII. For enquiries please contact: Ministry of Defence APC Disclosures 5 (Polish) Building 1 (Ops) RAF Northolt West End Road Ruislip Middlesex HA4 6NG UK. T: +44(0)208 833 8603 E: NOR-PolishDiscOffice@mod.uk 28 August Memorial to pilot F/O Bolesław Józef Sawiak 315 Polish City of Deblin Squadron. A memorial to 315 (Polish) City of Deblin Squadron pilot F/O Bolesław Józef Sawiak was unveiled at a dedication service outside Ratoath Community Centre, near Dublin, The Republic of Ireland, on Wednesday 23 August, the 75th anniversary of his death. Over 100 Polish and Irish local residents and dignitaries gathered to pay tribute to F/O Bolesław Sawiak. Prayers were offered by Father Gerry Stuart and Father Janusz Lugowski, Chaplin to the Polish community in the Diocese of Meath. The Polish Ambassador to the Republic of Ireland, Ryszard Sarkowicz, together with Government Minister Regina Doherty unveiled the memorial and laid a wreath in honour of F/O Bolesław Sawiak, who paid the ultimate sacrifice in fighting for freedom. The memorial is close to the site where F/O Bolesław Sawiak’s Mk Vb Spitfire, BL959 PK-T crashed landed. He was mortally wounded and was taken to the military hospital, Saint Bricin's in Dublin, where he died a few hours later. He was 23 years old and is buried in Formby, Merseyside. On 23 August 1942 F/O Bolesław Sawiak was in aerial combat with a Junkers Ju88 4U+KH from 1 Staffel Aufklarungsgruppen 123 with its crew of Lt Paul Störmer (pilot), Hauptmann Gottfried Berndt (observer), Oberfelwebel Karl Hund (wireless operator) and Unteroffizier Josef Reiser (air gunner). It was shot down following combined action by F/O Sawaik, 504Sqn Sgt Hawkins and Sgt Francis and 152Sqn F/Lt Sizzer and F/Sgt McPherson. The Ju 88 crashed landed near Carriglong, Co. Wexford and all the crew were captured. The Commemoration and Exhibition was organised by Ratoath Community Centre's Exhibition Team led by Community Centre chief executive Leo Cummins. It was based on earlier initial research by the Ratoath Heritage Group and new added research from Michael O'Reilly, Tony Kearns and Anna Krawiec and supported by Polish Air Force historians and joint authors Piotr Sikora and Łukasz Gredys of "Polish Wings over Ireland" published in 2015. Details are available in the ‘Publications’ page above. Both authors conducted extensive research into F/O Boleslaw Sawiak's last flight and the results can be found in the book. Photos in the slide show can be viewed by clicking the image then the arrows. A memorial to 315 Polish City of Deblin Squadron pilot F/O Bolesław Józef Sawiak was unveiled at a dedication service outside Ratoath Community. Centre, near Dublin, The Republic of Ireland, on Wednesday 23 August, the 75th anniversary of his death. Photo copyright Łukasz Gredys. 315 Polish City of Deblin Squadron pilot F/O Bolesław Józef Sawiak with MkVb Spitfire. Photo courtesy P.Sikora archive. F/O Bolesław Józef Sawiak is buried in Formby, Merseyside. A memorial to 315 Polish City of Deblin Squadron pilot F/O Bolesław Józef Sawiak was unveiled at a dedication service outside Ratoath Community. Centre, near Dublin, The Republic of Ireland, on Wednesday 23 August, the 75th anniversary of his death. Photo copyright Łukasz Gredys. 1/5 16 August Polish Air Force Memorial Committee sponsors floral display. The Polish Air Force Memorial Committee has sponsored a floral display at the site of the RAF Bunker and 11 Group Operations Room at Uxbridge, best known for controlling RAF fighter operations during the Battle of Britain. The display is in front of the replica Mk1 Hurricane that commemorates the aircraft P3901 RF-E of 303 Polish Kościuszko Squadron. Hurricane P3901 was the Polish Air Force’s most successful fighter aircraft during the war and 303 Sqn’s most successful during the Battle of Britain. It was flown by several 303 Sqn pilots, including Acting Sqn/Ldr Witold Urbanowicz who claimed nine of his 15 Battle of Britain victories in this aircraft. His son, also named Witold Urbanowicz, unveiled the Hurricane memorial on 4 September 2010. P/O Franciszek Kornicki, the last surviving commander of the Polish squadrons in the West, also flew this aircraft after the Battle of Britain in late 1940. The red and white display of geraniums, in the form of the Polish Air Force Chequer, was organised and planted by RAF Bunker volunteer and retired Brent Council Director of Cemetery and Mortuary Services Bob Langford. He was assisted by fellow RAF Bunker volunteer Richard Darby who made and installed the red and white wooden framed boarder. It is expected that the geraniums will be replaced in the winter, possibly with red and white pansies. Photos in the slide show can be viewed by clicking the image then the arrows. 1/7 23 July Battle of Britain Memorial Trust - Memorial Day The replica of the Wilno Polish Air Force Standard was paraded by Sqn/Ldr James Tenniswood at the annual Battle of Britain Memorial Trust’s Memorial Day, Capel-le Ferne, Folkstone on Sunday 9 July. Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee by its chairman Richard Kornicki. The Polish Embassy in London was represented by the Polish Consul, Krzystof Grzelczyk and Acting Defence, Military, Naval and Air Attaché Lt/Col Dorota Kawecka. Photos in the slide show can be viewed by clicking the image then the arrows. The replica Wilno Polish Air Force Standard was paraded by Sqn/Ldr James Tenniswood. Richard Kornicki CBE DL laid a wreath on behalf of the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee. The replica Wilno Polish Air Force Standard was paraded by Sqn/Ldr James Tenniswood. 1/2 The Historic Aircraft Collection's MkVb Spitfire BM597 in the colours of 317Sqn at the Duxford Flying Legends air display. Photo © Tom Dolezal / www.fcafa.com The Historic Aircraft Collection's MkVb Spitfire BM597 in the colours of 317Sqn at the Duxford Flying Legends air display. Photo © Tom Dolezal / www.fcafa.com 1/1 22 July Polish Air Force Spitfire at Duxford Airshow. The Historic Aircraft Collection’s MkVb Spitfire BM597, a combat veteran of Polish 315 and 317 Squadrons, took part in the recent Flying Legends airshow at Duxford on 8/9 July. Currently in the colours of 317Sqn, BM597 was first assigned to 315Sqn on 7 May 1942 and later to 317Sqn on 5 September 1942, both at RAF Woodvale, Merseyside. Several Polish pilots flew this aircraft, including W/O Jan Adamiak, Sqn/Ldr Tadeusz Andersz, F/Lt Stanislaw Blok, W/O Aleksander Chudek, Sqn/Ldr Ludwik Martel, Sqn/Ldr Walerian Jasionowski, Sqn/Ldr Franciszek Kornicki, F/Lt Bruno Semmerling, F/O Marek Slonski-Ostoja, F/O Mieczyslaw Widziszewski, F/Lt Ksawery Wyrozemski, F/Lt Wladyslaw Zajac and F/Lt Jerzy Zbrozek. In July 2000 Sqn/Ldr Ludwik Martel and Sqn/Ldr Tadeusz Andersz were reunited with BM597 at Old Hay airfield, Kent. The last surviving Polish Squadron Commander Sqn/Ldr Franciszek Kornicki, also had the opportunity in 2004 at RAF Chailey, East Sussex and sat in the cockpit once again. Their three signatures are on the inside of the cockpit door. In 1967 Spitfire BM597 was taken to Pinewood film studios and used as the master mould for the fibre glass replica Spitfires that featured in the film ‘Battle of Britain’. Click photo to enlarge. 30 June Northolt Commemoration Ceremony The annual and 57th Ceremony of Homage to Fallen Polish Airmen during World War II will be held at the Polish Air Force Memorial at Northolt on Saturday 2 September. The ceremony will be conducted in both English and Polish and everyone is welcome. A Flyer is available by clicking on the following icon. Following the Ceremony guests will transfer to RAF Northolt for a reception and buffet luncheon in the Station’s Sword and Wheel Club. An application form for the lunch is available by clicking the icon. Please note applications should be received by 30 July. Due to the high demand for places it cannot be guaranteed that all applications will be successful and additional guest numbers may have to be limited. If the event is over-subscribed cheques will be returned. 28 June Armed Forces Day The annual Armed Forces Day was celebrated and commemorated throughout the UK on Saturday 24 June, including a wreath laying ceremony at the Royal Air Force Commonwealth and Allied Air Forces Monument in Plymouth, Devon. Wreath laying was led by RAF Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshall Sir Stephen Hillier. The Polish Air Force Memorial Committee was represented by Michael Parrott from the 307 Squadron Project. Lt/Col Dorota Kawecka, Acting Defence, Military, Naval and Air Attaché for the Republic of Poland represented the Polish Embassy in London. Photos in the slide show can be viewed by clicking the image then the arrows. RAF Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshall Sir Stephen Hillier Lt/Col Dorota Kawecka, Acting Defence, Military, Naval and Air Attaché for the Republic of Poland represented the Polish Embassy in London. The Royal Air Force Commonwealth and Allied Air Forces Monument in Plymouth, Devon. RAF Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshall Sir Stephen Hillier 1/6 8 June Polish and Czech fighter pilots exhibition. The Tangmere Military Aviation Museum in Sussex is running an exhibition on the Polish and Czech Fighter Pilots in the Second World War, particularly focusing on the pilots and squadrons that fought from the Sussex airfields. The exhibition is open each day from 22 July until 3 September (except 6 August - Family Day) between 11.00 and 16.00. It will include stories of the heroism of Polish and Czech pilots, models of their aircraft, medals of some of the aces, art work and a film of their time in Britain, For more information click on the following link. Exhibition 26 May Launch of Educational Programme For Your Freedom and Ours C.I.C. Educational Programme has been launched in Northern Ireland focusing on providing shared history and accredited programmes between Poland and Northern Ireland. The campaign is available for youth and adult groups across Northern Ireland, including schools, youth programmes, community groups and residents' associations. More information is available by clicking this link. Details can also found at these Twitter and Facebook links. Alternatively contact Project Coordinator Maciek Bator via email: maciek@foryourfreedomandours.com FYFO Twitter Facebook 9 May RAF Northolt completes pedal to Poland The team of cyclists from RAF Northolt has completed a gruelling 807 mile, 10-day journey from RAF Northolt to Poznan Air Base in Poland. The ride was part of the unit’s rigorous training and development programme, designed to develop the physical, mental and military skills of the personnel taking part. With the team completing 53 hours and 34 minutes in the saddle, and climbing over 19,500 feet, it was an extremely arduous event requiring everyone to dig deep, both physically and mentally. The most brutal day covered 126 miles with an ascent of 5,900 feet. The Project Officer, Squadron Leader Neill Gowans explains: “This was the toughest physical and mental challenge I have faced in my career, and I say that as a former Marine. Everyone in the team has learned a great deal about how to push past their limits both as individuals and as a team. We also stopped on the way to develop our military knowledge by stopping along the route in places like Arnhem and Berlin to learn lessons about the historic air operations that took place there. But the reception we received from the Polish Air Force in particular was amazing and it was an honour to celebrate the shared links between our nations and Armed Services. From the cyclists to our superb logistics team we have learned and experienced so much that we can use in our day-to-day jobs and on operations. That we were able to raise so much money for the RAF Benevolent Fund was a superb bonus.” In addition to the training value, the ride has been a great vehicle to celebrate and cement further the close ties between RAF Northolt, Polish veterans and the Polish Air Force whilst raising money for the RAF Benevolent Fund, an independent charity that provides assistance to RAF personnel, veterans and their families when they are in need. So far over £7,500 and counting has been raised for the charity. Donations can be made on the Virgin Money Giving website or directly at this link Pedal2Poland The Pedal to Poland team cross the border into Poland. Paying respects in Poznan cemetery with Polish Armed Services. RAF Northolt Station Commander Group Captain David Manning meeting the Station Commander of Poznan Air Base The Pedal to Poland team cross the border into Poland. 1/4 27 April Polish Air Force Museum Northolt tour dates RAF Northolt, which hosts the only Museum dedicated to the Polish Air Force in Britain, has advised dates for organised tours to the Museum. These are on Saturdays as follows: 27 May, 5 August, 30 September and 2 December. Each tour will be limited to 20 people and applications should be made to the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee chairman Richard Kornicki via email: richardkornicki@gmail.com . Tours will start at 14.00 after checking in at the security office, which is accessed via the White House Gate. This is the first gate on the A4180 West End Road, when approaching from the A40 Polish Air Force Memorial roundabout and is just before a Shell garage. 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 South Ruislip, approximately 500m from the White House Gate security office. Visits to the museum might also be possible on other dates in special circumstances, subject to staff availability and operational requirements. There are no charges for visiting the Museum. However, although the Museum is housed at RAF Northolt by kind permission of the Station Commander, funding for exhibits and conservation is all met privately through the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee and guides give up their time voluntarily. Donations to the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee are appreciated. Visitors may also wish to perhaps use the opportunity to visit the Polish Air Force Memorial and adjacent Memorial Gardens at Northolt and the nearby Northwood Cemetery, Chestnut Avenue, Northwood, Middlesex, HA6 1HR, which is just a 5 mile, 20 minute drive from the Northolt Memorial. The Orchard, Ruislip, HA4 7DR, - now a Beefeater restaurant - is also on route to the cemetery. For information on the Museum and the nearby Battle of Britain Bunker at Uxbridge, please click the ‘Museum’ page above. 20 March RAF Northolt to pedal to Poland A team of cyclists from RAF Northolt will participate in a fund raising 750 mile ‘Pedal to Poland’ bike ride from the Polish War Memorial to the Poznan Airbase in Poland, with all proceeds going to the RAF Benevolent fund. Leaving on 23 April, the ride will also form part of the unit’s rigorous training and development programme and provide an opportunity to celebrate and cement further the close ties between RAF Northolt, Hillingdon, the local Polish community and the Polish Air Force. A Polish military cycling team will join the RAF Northolt cyclists at the German border and ride the final leg to arrive at the Poznan Air base on 3 May, Polish Constitution Day, a national holiday. The group, led by RAF Northolt Station Commander, Group Captain David Manning, also an experienced triathlete, will stop off at places of military significance on route. He said: "The route has been chosen so that we will have the opportunity to reflect and remember those who fought in both World Wars while building, further, the strong links between RAF Northolt, the Polish Air Force and our local Polish communities. We are also taking the opportunity to raise funds for the RAF Benevolent Fund who allocated charitable support to Northolt worth over £80,000 over the last two years to bolster the welfare support to my personnel. I must thank Councillor Ray Puddifoot and his team at Hillingdon Council for their support of this activity and their overall continued support of RAF Northolt." Regular updates will be available on Twitter (@RAFNortholt) and Facebook (rafnortholtoff) and local news outlets, such as GetWestLondon. Donations can be made on the Virgin Money Giving website http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/pedal2poland or directly at this link. The full press release from RAF Northolt can be viewed by clicking the icon. Centre, RAF Northolt Station Commander Gp/Cpt David Manning with the pedal to Poland team. Pedal2Poland 10 March Short films The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office has recently produced a series of short films for the British Embassy in Poland. They portray the stories of Polish people and people of Polish heritage in the UK and two have a Polish Air Force interest. One features Polish Air Force Memorial Committee Chairman, Richard Kornicki and RAF Northolt Station Commander Gp/Cpt David Manning, and can be viewed by clicking this link. The other features former 300 Sqn air gunner, Jan Black-Stangryciuk and can be viewed by clicking this link. Film Film 10 January Battle of Britain Memorial Flight recognises Polish pilot for 2017 season The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight has confirmed for the 2017 season that its Mk XVI Spitfire, TE311, will be painted to represent the personal Mk XVI Spitfire, TD240, of Gp/Cpt Aleksander Gabszewicz VM KW DSO DFC. Polish Air Force historians Wojtek Matusiak and Piotr Sikora and artist Robert Grudzień have provided the BBMF with photographs and artwork to ensure accuracy of the painting, which will be funded by Lincolnshire’s Lancaster Association. The BBMF’s Mk XVI Spitfire, TE311, is a low back, bubble-canopy version with clipped wingtips and built at Castle Bromwich just after the war. Following service in various units it was grounded in the mid 1950s and transferred to RAF Tangmere as the gate guardian for 12 years. It was subsequently used in ground sequences for the film ‘Battle of Britain’. Afterwards it was allocated to the RAF Exhibition Flight and used at air shows for the next 30 years as a static exhibit. The Spitfire was subsequently delivered to the BBMF’s home base, RAF Coningsby, in January 2000. After a meticulous re-build to flying condition, lasting 11 years, TE311 was returned to an immaculate and extremely authentic standard. It took to the air again, for the first time in 58 years, on 19th October 2012. The Mk XVI Spitfire, TD240, was delivered to the 131 (Polish) Wing in mid April 1945 and assigned to Gp/Cpt Aleksander Gabszewicz, who was the Officer Commanding the Wing from 12th July 1944. The individual letter ‘G’ for Gabszewicz, was applied, as well as the ‘Group Captain’ insignia under the cockpit and the code letters ‘SZ’ for 316 Sqn, which Gabszewicz commanded from November 1941 until June 1942. Although 316 Sqn was not part of the 131 (Polish) Wing, all of Gabszewicz's personal aircraft had the ‘SZ’ code letters, as a sign of affection for his former unit. Also a ‘boxing dog’ emblem, and much bigger than on his previous Spitfire, was painted on the aircraft’s nose. The emblem was first introduced on Gabszewicz’s Mk IX Spitfire EN526 in 1943 and subsequently applied to all his personal aircraft. However, there are photographs taken around 1941 showing the emblem on his Mae West life jacket. The artist was Sgt Wojciech Milewski, who was also a talented boxer. At the time Gabszewicz received TD240 the 131 (Polish) Wing was stationed at Varrelbusch (B.113) airfield in occupied Germany. He flew six operational sorties in TD240, including four on dive bombing of enemy positions. When Gabszewicz left his command of 131 (Polish) Wing on 31st May 1945, and went to the head quarters of 84 Group, TD240 was taken over by Sq/Ldr Bolesław Kaczmarek, commander of 302 Sqn. Although the ‘SZ’ code letters were changed to ‘WX’ and individual code letter ‘G’ to ‘V’, the 302 Sqn badge replaced the ‘Group Captain’ insignia and was applied alongside the women's name ‘Janetka’. Gabszewicz's personal boxing dog emblem remained. When the 302 Sqn code letters were changed to ‘QH’ in August 1945, TD240 still carried the letter ‘V’. On 10th October 1945 W/O Kazimierz Chomacki crash landed TD240 and was not repaired. Gp/Cpt Aleksander Gabszewicz was decorated with the Gold and Silver Cross of the Order of Virtuti Militari, Polish Cross of Valour and three Bars, DSO and Bar, DFC and the French Croix de Guerre with Palm. He died on 10th October 1983 and his ashes were subsequently dispersed over Warsaw and Dęblin in 1992. Thanks to Piotr Sikora and Wojtek Matusiak for providing the historical background information and photo. The artwork of the Mk XVI Spitfire TD240, produced for the BBMF, is copyright and courtesy of Robert Grudzień.

< Back Polish Day in the North West 1/1 7 Mar 2022 Polish Day in the North West On Saturday 12 March, to mark the last day of the Polish Air Force Exhibition at The Aktinson in Southport, a special day of Polish events, foods and crafts has been organised, culminating in a Chopin recital recreating an event held there in 1943 to raise awareness of the Polish war effort. All are welcome. Previous Next

< Back RAF Northolt's Polish Air Force Exhibition re-opens for visitors The new Polish Air Force exhibition at RAF Northolt, now housed in The Polish Air Force Room in the heart of the historic Officers' Mess by kind permission of the Station Commander, will open for visitors on 29 May, 2022. The new Polish Air Force exhibition at RAF Northolt, now housed in The Polish Air Force Room in the heart of the historic Officers' Mess by kind permission of the Station Commander, will open for visitors on 29 May, 2022. 1/1 30 May 2022 RAF Northolt's Polish Air Force Exhibition re-opens for visitors The Polish Air Force Memorial Committee (PAFMC) is delighted to announce the re-opening to visitors to its Polish Air Force Exhibition at RAF Northolt, now housed in the historic Officers' Mess by kind permission of the Station Commander. Public visits will now reconvene and also include the restored Sector Control Room. As RAF Northolt is an operational Station, visits must be arranged in organised tours. Each tour will be limited to 20 people and applications should be made to the PAFMC chairman Richard Kornicki via email: richardkornicki@gmail.com or via the Contacts page on the PAFMC website https://www.polishairforcememorialcommittee.org/contact-2 . Public visits for 2022 are on Sundays at 14.00 on the following dates: 26 June, 31 July, 28 August, 2 October, 30 October and 27 November. For Group visits (of up to 20 people) additional dates may be available. There is no charge for visits, but donations are welcome. All visits are subject to overriding operational requirements. 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 Squadron of any that fought in the Battle of Britain with 126 confirmed victories, despite only being operational for less than half the period of the Battle. Previous Next

< Back 307 Squadron Project Anniversary event 1/1 19 Oct 2022 307 Squadron Project Anniversary Event The 307 Squadron Project is holding a special anniversary event to honour the 307 Polish Squadron. This will be held on the 14-16 November at the City of Exeter Guildhall and the City’s Cathedral to mark the 80th anniversary of when the squadron presented the City with the Polish flag in a sign of international cooperation. During the Second World War 307 Sqn was the only Polish night fighter squadron and defended the South West of England. The Lwów Eagle Owls airmen fought the Luftwaffe over the skies of Britain and prevented Exeter from being totally destroyed during the blitz on the city in 1942. The main events are as follows: * Flag Ceremony including RAF Brize Norton Parade * Raising of the Polish Flag on Exeter Guildhall * Free Exhibitions on 307 Squadron and Exeter Airport * Choral Evensong incorporating 307 Squadron at Exeter Cathedral and much more. More information is available on the 307 Squadron Project Facebook page facebook.com/307SquadronProject Previous Next

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

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

01342968-654e-412e-b6b2-ac9b245ff5da Polish Air Force Museum donations < Back Ann Holland presenting the inscribed 20mm canon shell cigarette lighter to Polish Air Force Memorial Committee chairman Richard Kornicki at the Polish Air Force Museum, Battle of Britain Bunker, Uxbridge. The 20mm canon shell cigarette lighter donated by Ann Holland. F/Lt Bronisław Kłosin. Ann Holland presenting the inscribed 20mm canon shell cigarette lighter to Polish Air Force Memorial Committee chairman Richard Kornicki at the Polish Air Force Museum, Battle of Britain Bunker, Uxbridge. 1/3 28 April 2023 Polish Air Force Museum donations Several items of war time memorabilia, originally owned by 303 Sqn pilot F/Lt Bronisław Kłosin, who was seriously wounded in combat in June 1941, have been donated to the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee's Polish Air Force Museum at the Battle of Britain Bunker, Uxbridge. The items include an engraved 20mm canon shell cigarette lighter, an inscribed copy of Arkady Fiedler’s book 303 Squadron , a photo of F/Lt Bronisław Kłosin taken in 1942 and a cutting from the Manchester Guardian describing in his own words the occasion when he was shot down. Ann Holland has donated the items, which were given to her mother by her close friend F/Lt Bronisław Kłosin. Due to his wounds he was unfit for further operational flying and following prolonged convalescence, he was posted as 303 Sqn Adjutant in December 1941 until July 1942. Subsequently, he was an Operations Room controller for 303 Sqn until January 1943, and then for a number of Polish fighter squadrons until the end of the war. Previous Next

2015 15 November For Your Freedom and Ours: Exeter's Polish 307 Squadron On Sunday 15th November, the Polish flag was raised for the fourth time above Exeter Guildhall in remembrance of the Polish airmen from 307 Squadron, known as the Lwów Eagle Owls (Lwowskich Puchaczy). During the Second World War 307 Sqn was the only Polish night fighter squadron and defended the South West of England. The Lwów Eagle Owls airmen fought the Luftwaffe over the skies of Britain and prevented Exeter from being totally destroyed during the blitz on the city in 1942. The event, which was attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland Witold Sobków, started with a one-minute’s silence in solidarity with the people of Paris. This was followed by the Lord Mayor of Exeter Chaplain, Rev. Paul Morrell blessing the Polish Flag. The Brass and Symphony Orchestras at Exeter University played the Polish national anthem and the flag was raised over the Guildhall. The Deputy Lord Mayor of Exeter Councillor Lesley Robson in her speech remembered the war contributions of 307 Sqn. The Polish Ambassador thanked Exeter City Council for remembering the Lwów Eagle Owls and noted the contribution of Polish airmen during the Second World War in Great Britain. Outside the Guildhall, alongside representatives of the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment, 13 Squadron Air Training Corps, 469 Squadron Air Training Corps and their Standards, were members of Polish associations wearing Polish Air Force historical uniforms. These included Marek Wierzbicki and Beata Sobota (Polski Klub Miłośników Historii Orzeł Biały), Robert Gretzyngier, Mark Stefanicki and others. In addition to the Polish Ambassador, other dignitaries, relatives of 307 Sqn and guests included The Lord Lieutenant of Devon David Fursdon, Lady Devon, the Polish Defence Attaché Piotr Pacek, Chairman of the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee Richard Kornicki, Chairman of the Polish Airmen’s Association Artur Bildziuk, and Mark Łazarowicz, former MP from Edinburgh and son of 307 Sqn wireless operator Jerzy Łazarowicz. The event was organised by the 307 Sqn Project in cooperation with Exeter City Council. The 307 Sqn Project is a British-Polish organisation established to promote and research the role of 307 Sqn. Project founder Michael Parrott and Marcin Piórkowski live in Exeter and Andrzej Michalski, grandson of 307 Sqn navigator Leon Michalski, lives in Portsmouth. Since last year they have organised six exhibitions, given several lectures and represented 307 Sqn at many events, such as the Polish Air Force Memorial Ceremony at Northolt to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. The 307 Sqn Project day in Exeter was supported by additional events, including Artur Bildziuk's lecture ‘307 – The Guardians of Exeter' and a magnificent Choral Evensong in the memory of 307 Sqn at Exeter Cathedral, led by the Dean of the Cathedral Jonathan Draper. Over 1100 guests visited the exhibition from Friday to Sunday. In addition to display boards there were photos and squadron memorabilia on show, video interviews with veterans and other video clips. There was also a kids' corner with colouring books, pilots’ hats, and the opportunity to take photos. Photos in the slide show can be viewed by clicking the image and then the arrows. All photos are courtesy of the 307 Squadron Project. For a short video click the link. For more information click the link. 307 Project video Deputy Lord Mayor of Exeter Councillor Lesley Robson, The Lord Lieutenant of Devon David Fursdon - flag raising ceremony- at Exeter Guildhall. Flag raising ceremony at Exeter Guildhall. Kids' corner Exeter Guildhall. Deputy Lord Mayor of Exeter Councillor Lesley Robson, The Lord Lieutenant of Devon David Fursdon - flag raising ceremony- at Exeter Guildhall. 1/20 25 October All Souls' Commemoration Newark Cemetery A large congregation gathered on the last Sunday in October at Newark Cemetery for the annual All Souls' Commemoration service in remembrance of the Polish Airmen who gave their lives during the Second World War - several hundred of whom are buried in the cemetery - and of the three Presidents of the Polish Government in Exile who are also buried there. The service was organised for the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee by Simon Elmer. Among those attending were the Deputy Lieutenant for Nottinghamshire, Mr Geoffrey Bond, and the Consul of the Republic of Poland, Mr Łukasz Lutostanski. Photos in the slide show can be viewed by clicking the image and then the arrows. All photos are Crown copyright RAF Cranwell. CRN-OFFICIAL-201525-1219-0028.jpg CRN-OFFICIAL-201525-1219-0001.jpg CRN-OFFICIAL-201525-1219-0024.jpg CRN-OFFICIAL-201525-1219-0028.jpg 1/7 1/18 26 September 300 Squadron and 1667 HCU Service of Remembrance and dedication of two stone plaques. Faldingworth village All Saints Church was full for the Memorial service of Remembrance for 300 Polish Squadron and 1667 Heavy Conversion Unit. Dignitaries, including the Polish Consul General from Manchester Lukasz Lutostanski, veterans and relatives of those who served at Faldingworth attended the service. This was preceded by an extensive display of memorabilia in the village Memorial Hall and a flypast of a Hurricane and Spitfire from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. The BBMF’s Dakota greeted the congregation on leaving the Church with another flypast. The congregation reconvened at the nearby airfield for the Service and Act of Remembrance and Dedication at the Memorial of two stone plaques. These commemorated the 37 aircraft lost from Faldingworth and the 248 lives lost in those aircraft. A roll call of the aircraft and lives lost was accompanied by a cross for each aircraft placed at the Memorial. This was followed by the Last Post and two minute’s silence ended by Reveille. Dignitaries, veterans and descendants of those that flew from Faldingworth laid wreaths on the Memorial and the ceremony ended with the British and Polish national anthems. Many then retired to Faldingworth school hall for a reception and refreshments, while being entertained with songs by school children, who also had decorated the hall with photos and stories relevant to the occasion. John Blanks performed the folk song For Those Who Will Not Know Me, dedicated to the memory of 300 Squadron. The song can be heard on YouTube via the Faldingworth Memorial link. Faldingworth resident Colin Mitchell-Smith, with the support of his wife Susan and Kevin Troop and a dedicated team of helpers, has been keeping the memory of the Poles who served at Faldingworth alive. For the past 20 years Colin has created and organised the Stained Glass window, Gates and Path of Friendship at the Church and the building of the Memorial on the airfield, as well as arranging the Memorial Services. During the reception Colin reluctantly announced that he would now be standing down in the hope that others could take a lead and carry the Memorial services forward. Several other speakers congratulated Colin and Susan for their longstanding dedication and support and vowed to investigate alternatives for the future. Photos in the slide show can be viewed by clicking the image then the arrows. 1._Walking_To_Dig_Site_©_Harvey_Mills_Photography.jpg 2._A_Polish_Veteran_Helps_To_Excavate_An_E_ngine_Piston_©_Harvey_Mills_Photograp 15. Sgt Kazimierz Wunsche (C) P olish Embassy UK #BoBPoles.jpg 1._Walking_To_Dig_Site_©_Harvey_Mills_Photography.jpg 1/15 Programme Speech 2015 Speech 2014 Commendations 1/11 clitheroe 003.JPG clitheroe 015.JPG clitheroe 013.JPG clitheroe 003.JPG 1/4 20 September Polish Air Force display at Battle of Britain reception. The replica Polish Air Force Wilno Standard, together with a small selection of PAF artefacts, formed part of a display at the reception after the Thanksgiving Service for the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain in Westminster Abbey. The reception and display, for invited guests, was held in Church House, Dean’s Yard adjacent to the Abbey. A member of the PAFMC was on hand to explain to guests the significance of the Wilno Standard and artefacts, the role of the PAF during the Battle of Britain and to answer any questions. The display generated a lot of interest from the steady flow of guests, which included the UK Defence Secretary The Rt Hon Michael Fallon MP, who had been previously briefed by the Polish Ambassador about the exploits of 303 Polish Kościuszko Squadron during the Battle. The replica Wilno Standard and artefacts form part of the PAF museum and exhibition at RAF Northolt. The items selected for the Westminster display included a Technical Dictionary, Pilot’s Wings, Officer’s Cap, 316 Squadron Scarf, Boot Wings and part of an engine from the Messerschmitt Bf110 shot down by 303 Sqn pilot F/O Ludwik Paszkiewicz on 30th August 1940. This was 303 Sqn's first victory since starting operational flying in the middle of August. In the following six weeks 303 Sqn became the most successful fighter unit in the Battle of Britain and was credited with 126 victories for the loss of eight of its pilots; six in actual combat. The PAF display was accompanied by an exhibit of interesting artefacts of Air Vice Marshal Stanley Flamank Vincent CB, DFC, AFC, DL, who was RAF Northolt Station Commander during the Battle of Britain. Photos in the slide show can be viewed by clicking the image then the arrows. 19 September Act of Remembrance, Sykes Green, Langden Brook. This commemoration was held in the beautiful Trough of Bowland in Lancashire in perfect sunshine, and was attended by The Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, Conservative MP Nigel Evans and the Polish Vice Consul from Manchester. Other civic and military dignitaries were in attendance, as were members of the Polish community from Preston who paraded the banner of the now disbanded branch of the SPK (Polish Ex-Combatants Association). This day was the culmination of the “We Shall Remember Them” project, undertaken by the Clitheroe Youth Forum, a group of children under the leadership of Mel Diack MBE. The aim of this work has been to research the aircraft accidents, which took place in the area during WW2 and the Berlin Airlift in 1949. Aircrew from Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the USA and Poland were among the 25 casualties whose names are listed on a memorial stone, which was unveiled during the ceremony. Relatives of some of the airmen had travelled from Australia, New Zealand and America in order to pay their respects. In a simple but moving ceremony, these family members were able to lay flowers and share their recollections of their loved ones with those present. The relatives were then presented with the appropriate national flag by members of the armed forces with whom their family members had been serving; this was a very poignant and emotional moment for all concerned. A wreath was laid on behalf of the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee by Jim Seymour who made a short speech (see below). He paid tribute to the contribution of the Polish Air Force during the war and made reference to his personal connection with the Polish Forces. His late father escaped from Poland in 1940 and fought at Monte Cassino under the command of General Anders. The ceremony concluded with the blessing of the Memorial Books, which contain details of the 25 aircrew. This was followed by the Act of Remembrance and a minute’s silence. The four Polish aircrew listed are: Sgt T Nawrocki F/O W Pucek Sgt P Struniewski Sgt R Zywicki The day was extremely well organised, the children and volunteers had done so much to ensure that the sacrifice of the airmen will not be forgotten, and more importantly they will remember their involvement in the project and carry remembrance on to the next generation, thus making sure that “We Shall Remember Them”. Transcript of speech On behalf of the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee, I am honoured to have been invited to participate in this important commemoration here today. My involvement in the Committee stems from a lifelong interest in the exploits of the Polish airmen fighting alongside the RAF in World War 2, and in particular in the Battle of Britain. On a personal connection, my late father was one of the many Poles who escaped from their homeland in the early days of the Second World War in order to continue to fight alongside the allies. My father made his way through Palestine and North Africa to eventually join the Polish Army under General Anders, taking part in the Battle of Monte Cassino in Italy. In common with many of his countrymen, at the end of hostilities he made England his adopted home and I know he would have loved to have been here with us today. I wish to pay tribute to the Youth Forum volunteers and to Mel Diack for the work they have undertaken in the “We Shall Remember Them” project, and whose efforts we celebrate. I was able to attend a similar commemoration at the Polish Air Force Memorial at Northolt recently and had the privilege of meeting some Polish veterans, none of whom wanted thanks or praise, but as one gentleman said “We simply want to be remembered……” The spirit shown by the young people and volunteers who have made this project a reality will ensure that the airmen of Poland and other allied nations we remember here today will surely never be forgotten. I can think of no finer sentiment than to echo the words which are on the Polish Air Force Memorial, and which provide a fitting epitaph for all of the airmen we commemorate on this occasion. I have fought a good fight I have finished my course I have kept the faith POLISH EMBASSY PRESS RELEASE 11 SEPT Polish 303 Squadron Hurricane unearthed 75 years after Battle of Britain crash The historic dig near Saddlescombe Farm in West Sussex was carried out by a team of archaeologists and historians supported by Polish and British veterans of foreign missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. The remains of No. 303 Polish Squadron’s Hurricane were uncovered exactly 75 years after the airplane’s crash on 9th September 1940. Piloted by Sgt Kazimierz Wünsche, Hurricane RF-E 3700 was shot down during the Battle of Britain following air combat with the Luftwaffe over Beachy Head. Sgt Wünsche, bailed out of his burning aircraft and was admitted to hospital after suffering serious injuries. The operation, led by MoD archaeologist Richard Osgood, ended with the successful extraction of the aircraft's remains, including its reduction gear and propeller hub. Thanks to the efforts of the Polish Embassy and the Polish MoD, foreign missions veterans from Poland were able to join their British brothers-in-arms in this unique undertaking. The aircraft’s remains will go on show at the Polish Museum in RAF Northolt, were the 303 Squadron was stationed during the Battle of Britain.. The dig took place in the presence of Sgt Wünsche's daughter Grazyna and granddaughter Joanna. Grazyna Gasiorowska commented: To be able to see and touch parts of a plane that has been hidden in the ground for the last 75 years is something special. But also to know that the pilot, my father Sgt Kazimierz Wünsche, was the last person to see it intact before he was shot down, is incredibly personal for my whole family. We are so grateful to the whole dig team. Thanks to Historic Aircraft Collection Ltd., an historic Hurricane in Sgt Wünsche,’s markings RF-E P3700 made a flypast over the dig site. The Polish Embassy co-financed the repainting of the Historic Aircraft Collection’s Hurricane in the legendary 303 Squadron’s paint scheme as part of the #BoBPoles project marking the Polish contribution to the Battle of Britain. Joanna Gasiorowska commented: The flypast by a similar Hurricane bearing my grandfather's designation was an incredibly emotional experience for us. Happening 75 years to the day that he had to bail out of his own aircraft, it was a wonderful tribute to him, the 303 squadron and all the pilots and crew that served in the Battle of Britain. We hope that the work that was done on the dig and the items that were recovered will help future generations to remember the sacrifices that brave young men and women made to defend Britain. Together with an historic Spitfire flying originally in 315 and 317 Polish Squadrons, Hurricane RF-E P3700 is on permanent display in Hangar 3 at the Imperial War Museum Duxford, and takes part in various air shows happening throughout the summer of 2015, including The Battle of Britain Anniversary Air Show scheduled for 19-20 September at IWM Duxford. 145 Polish fighter ‪‎pilots served in the Battle of Britain in the 302 and 303 Polish squadrons as well as in British units. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron was the highest-scoring Allied unit of the Battle. Out of the overall number of fighter pilots from Allied countries, Poles constituted the second largest contingent after the ‪‎British. By the end of the war, almost 20,000 Polish airmen and airwomen were serving in 16 squadrons of the Polish Air Force in ‪‎Britain. *** A video from the dig has been made available by Digging Diaries team under this link. Digging Diaries is edited by 360 Production, makers of the 'Digging for Britain' television programme. Photos from the dig with captions and attributions are attached by clicking the slideshow below. More on the #BoBPoles project in the video featuring the Historic Aircraft Collection’s Hurricane and Spitfire, as well as on the Polish Embassy’s website. Follow #BoBPoles on our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube profiles until the end of October. Konrad Jagodziński Senior Public Relations Specialist Media and Public Diplomacy Embassy of the Republic of Poland 47 Portland Place London W1B 1JH Tel: +44 20 7291 3539, Mob: +44 750 830 4782 www.london.mfa.gov.pl @PolishEmbassyUK: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram 5 September Northolt Commemoration Ceremony The London Borough of Hillingdon, in partnership with the Polish Embassy, has generously created the new Memorial Garden adjacent to the Polish Air Force Memorial at Northolt. The new Garden was officially opened on Saturday 5th September. The event immediately preceded the annual and 55th Ceremony of Homage to Fallen Polish Airmen at the Memorial and commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, in which Polish pilots contributed such a critical role. Polish Air Force Memorial Committee Chairman Richard Kornicki, in his introductory speech to the estimated 500 people attending the Ceremony of Homage, outlined the crucial part that Polish pilots, ground crew and other branches played during the Battle of Britain in the summer of 1940. This was followed by the Polish Roll-Call of the fallen represented by the Dęblin Officer Cadets, Prayers, the Last Post and a minute’s silence ended by Reveille. Invited dignitaries, representing various organisations and associations laid wreaths on the Memorial followed by veterans or descendants of the Polish Squadrons and Units commemorated on the Memorial. The hour long ceremony ended with the Polish and UK national anthems and a final flypast of a Spitfire from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Just over 300 people then moved to RAF Northolt for a reception and buffet in the Officers’ Mess, while being entertained by Polish dancers. The Station Commander, Group Captain David Manning and the Acting Polish Defence Attacheé, Lt Col Piotr Pacek awarded PAFMC Commendations to people who, with no personal connections with Poland, have made an exceptional contribution to preserving the memory of Polish Airmen. The Memorial programme, speeches and commendations can be viewed by clicking the relevant icons below. Photos in the slide show can be viewed by clicking the image then the arrows. Next year's ceremony will take place on Saturday 3rd September, 2016 at 12.00. 1 September 303 Squadron Feast Day Some descendents of 303 Squadron decided to mark the 75th anniversary of the 1st September, the Squadron’s Feast Day (Święto) “in perpetuity”. A resolution had been made by the officers, warrant officers and other ranks on Christmas Eve 1940 that honour would be paid to those of the Squadron, who in the fight for Poland's freedom had fallen on English soil, by laying flowers on their graves and throwing flowers into the Channel on 1st September. The two sons of Władysław Burdziejow, one of 303 Sqn's ground crew, laid red and white carnations on the 303 Sqn graves at Northwood cemetery on 1st September. One of the daughters of 303 Sqn’s British Commander Ronald Kellett, also threw red and white flowers into the Channel and read out the 303 Sqn song and verses from ‘At the going down of the sun’. Photographs can be viewed by clicking the icon. 16 July Commemoration Mass A Commemoration Mass for the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain was recently held at the Church of the Immaculate Conception Farm Street, London, W1K 3AH. Although it was not a specific Polish Air Force event the replica Wilno Standard of the Polish Air Force was paraded. POLISH EMBASSY PRESS RELEASE 19 JUNE Launch of #BoBPoles social media campaign This Saturday, the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in London is launching the online component of the #BoBPoles campaign, commemorating the contribution of Polish airmen to the Battle of Britain. 20th June is the 75th anniversary of the evacuation of Polish airmen from France to Britain. On this day, the Embassy will publish the first of a series of facts about Poles in the Battle of Britain. New facts accompanied by unique archive photographs will appear on Twitter every morning, and on Facebook every Saturday evening, until the anniversary of the Battle’s conclusion on 31st October. Based on a broad chronology of the battle, the campaign will be a creative account of the history of Poles in the RAF – their significance, successes, and the challenges they faced – though the campaign will begin with the history of Polish pilots in the early days of the war, and describe their journey from Poland to Britain. A new topic will be introduced each week, ranging from the stories of individual pilots, to more general facts about their role in the Battle of Britain, altogether forming a comprehensive picture of the Polish contingent in this crucial event of World War II. Follow #BoBPoles in the social media to learn more about Poles in the Battle of Britain. More information on the campaign can be viewed on the Embassy’s website at this link. POLISH AIR FORCE MEMORIAL COMMITTEE PRESS RELEASE 12 JUNE Polish 303 Squadron Hurricane returns to Northolt after 75 years Photo courtesy of Jacek Mainka To commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain, the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in London has co-financed, with the Historic Aircraft Collection, the repainting of the HAC’s Hawker Hurricane XIIa in the colours 303 Polish Kościuszko Squadron carried during the conflict. The aircraft, which is based at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford, will carry the Royal Air Force assigned 303 Sqn code RF and individual aircraft letter E. Hurricane RF-E will make its début at the RAF Northolt Open Day on 13th June. This will be the first time in 75 years that a Hurricane with the insignia of 303 Kościuszko Polish Fighter Squadron – the most successful Squadron in the Battle of Britain - has flown into RAF Northolt where the Squadron was based in 1940. At Northolt Hurricane RF-E will be parked alongside the HAC’s Mk.Vb Spitfire, JH-C serial number BM597 in the colour of 317 Polish City of Wilno Squadron. This is the actual aircraft that retired Sqn/Ldr Franciszek Kornicki, who later commanded 317 Sqn, last flew in 1942. Sqn/Ldr Kornicki, who also flew an RF-E registered 303 Sqn Hurricane in November 1940, will be present at the display with other PAF veterans. The HAC will continue to display its Hurricane as RF-E at least until the end of this year at air shows around the UK. The Ambassador for the Republic of Poland, Witold Sobków said: “The contribution made by 145 Polish fighter pilots to the Battle of Britain, who fought in 302 and 303 Polish Sqns, as well as in British units is a source of immense pride for Poland and the Polish community in the UK. Out of the overall number of fighter pilots from Allied countries they constituted the largest contingent after the British. We are honoured that our project can help commemorate their sacrifice ‘for your freedom and ours’. On the 15th September 1940, now recognized as Battle of Britain Day, 20% of the pilots in combat were Polish. The Commander-in-Chief of RAF Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain, Air Chief Marshall Sir Hugh Dowding, later said, ‘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 the battle would have been the same.’” 303 Sqn, serving in 11 Group of Fighter Command and flying Hurricanes from RAF Northolt, became the most successful fighter unit during the Battle of Britain. Operational for only six out of the sixteen weeks of the official Battle period, 303 Sqn nonetheless was credited with 126 confirmed enemy aircraft destroyed for the loss of eight of its pilots; six of these in actual combat. The Czechoslovak pilot Sgt Josef František, flying with 303 Sqn, was the most successful pilot in the Battle, credited with 17 aircraft destroyed and one probably destroyed. The most successful Polish fighter pilot during the Battle was F/O Witold Urbanowicz with 15 aircraft destroyed, 14 of these were with 303 Sqn and nine in Hurricane RF-E serial number P3901. Ends For further information please contact: PAFMC Chairman Richard Kornicki richardkornicki@gmail.com 0208 991 0321 Notes to editors: 1: There were three separate Hurricanes that carried the 303 Sqn insignia RF-E during the Battle of Britain. The first RF-E was serial number P3700 and on 6th September P/O Miroslaw Ferić claimed a Messerschmitt Bf 109 destroyed over Sevenoaks, Kent. On the 9th September P3700 was shot down by a Bf 109 over Beachy Head and crashed at Saddlescombe Farm, Poynings, West Sussex. F/Sgt Kazimierz Wunsche bailed out, wounded. Hurricane P3700 was replaced on 12th September by a second RF-E, serial number P3577. On 15th September P/O Jan Zumbach claimed a Bf 109 destroyed between London and Hastings. Later the same day RF-E was shot down by a Bf 109 over the Thames Estuary and its pilot Sgt Michał Brzezowski was killed. The third RF-E, serial number P3901, arrived on 18th September. It was the usual aircraft of F/O and acting Sqn/Ldr Witold Urbanowicz. On 26th September F/O Witold Urbanowicz claimed a Heinkel He111 destroyed over Portsmouth. On the 27th September Sqn/Ldr Witold Urbanowicz claimed a Messerschmitt Bf 110 and a Bf 109 destroyed over Horsham and two Junkers Ju 88s between London and Hastings. On 30th September Sqn/Ldr Witold Urbanowicz claimed two Bf 109s and a Dornier Do 17 destroyed over the English Channel and a Bf 109 destroyed over Brooklands, Surrey. On 5th October Sgt Stanislaw Karubin claimed a Bf 109 destroyed over Rochester, Kent. On 11th October 303 Sqn was rested and moved from RAF Northolt to RAF Leconfield. Hurricane RF-E, serial number P3901, was subsequently flown by P/O Franciszek Kornicki on four occasions. 2. The Historic Aircraft Collection was formed by Guy Black and Angus Spencer-Nairn to restore and operate a collection of piston engined military aircraft. The HAC currently operate a Spitfire Mk.Vb (G-MKVB), Hawker Hurricane XIIa (G-HURI), Hawker Nimrod II (G-BURZ) and Hawker Fury (G-CBZP). The HAC estimates that over 1 million members of the public watch their aircraft at displays each year. www.historicaircraftcollection.ltd.uk/ 3: Following the closure of the Polish Air Force Association the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee was formed in 2010 with the aim of maintaining the memory of the Polish Air Force in the West, some 2,000 of whom gave their lives 'For Your Freedom and Ours' during the Second World War. The Committee was set up with the support of the Commander in Chief of the Polish Air Force and of the Chief of the Air Staff for the Royal Air Force. They are represented as ex-officio Co-Presidents by the Defence Attaché of the Polish Embassy and by the Station Commander, RAF Northolt. Every year in September a Commemoration ceremony takes place at the Polish Air Force Memorial in Ruislip, West London; this year the ceremony will be at 12.00 on Saturday 5th September. www.polishairforcememorialcommittee.org 4: The 75th anniversary of the Polish contribution to the Battle of Britain will be marked online with the #BoBPoles and #BoB75 hashtags by the Polish Embassy from 10th June. 5: A video summary of the event, featuring interviews with veterans and Polish Ambassador Witold Sobków will be published on the Polish Embassy UK YouTube Channel on Wednesday 17th June. 17 February Polish Air Force Memorial Committee - Vacancies The PAFMC was set up in 2010 with the approval of the then Chief of the Air Staff and his counterpart in Warsaw, to provide a continuing focus for the representation and commemoration of the Polish Air Force during the war. At present there are several vacancies on the Committee and we would like to hear from people who might be interested in taking up a role. The Committee meets four times a year at RAF Northolt during working hours, with work in the meantime being conducted by e-mail. Business is conducted in English. Expressions of interest would be particularly welcome from descendants of members of the PAF, or those with a personal connection of some nature, but we would like to hear from anyone whose heart is in the subject. For further details, or to discuss the possibility of taking part, please use the Contact tab above. 1 February A Thanksgiving Service for the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain will be held in Westminster Abbey on Sunday 20th September. Anyone wishing to attend is invited to apply for tickets. Full details are available on the Events section of the website. video Project Embassy 1/12

0fdcd7aa-27f5-48c4-a6e6-7741bd9ef696 Bomber Command Memorial Ceremony < Back In the foreground Richard Kornicki, Chairman of the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee, laid a wreath in memory of Polish bomber crews. Photo courtesy Jerzy Kapszewicz. Former 300 Polish Bomber Squadron air gunner W/O Jan Black Stangryciuk and Guinea Pig Club member, now in his 102nd year. Photo courtesy Jerzy Kapszewicz. Former 300 Polish Bomber Squadron air gunner W/O Jan Black Stangryciuk, now in his 102nd year, at the reception afterwards entertaining actress Sue Holderness, whose father was in Bomber Command. Photo courtesy Jerzy Kapszewicz. In the foreground Richard Kornicki, Chairman of the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee, laid a wreath in memory of Polish bomber crews. Photo courtesy Jerzy Kapszewicz. 1/3 30 June 2023 Bomber Command Memorial Ceremony The annual Memorial service to RAF Bomber Command was held on Sunday 25 June at the Bomber Command Memorial in London's Green Park on the south side of Piccadilly and close to Hyde Park Corner. The ceremony, organised by the RAF Benevolent Fund, was very well attended by Bomber Command veterans and their descendants and included former 300 Polish Bomber Squadron air gunner W/O Jan Black Stangryciuk, now in his 102nd year. 300 Squadron was one of the four Polish Air Force (PAF) bomber squadrons under the operational control of RAF Bomber Command which also included 301, 304 and 305 Squadrons. Tributes were led by Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, the newly appointed Chief of the Air Staff. Among the representatives of allied air forces operating in Bomber Command were Colonel Michał Sprengel, Defence Attaché at the Polish Embassy and Richard Kornicki, Chairman of the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee (PAFMC), laying wreaths in memory of Polish bomber crews. The Bomber Command Memorial, unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II on 28 June 2012, the year of her Diamond Jubilee, is a tribute to the 55,573 Bomber Command aircrew from Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Poland, Czechoslovakia and other allied countries, as well as civilians of all nations, who lost their lives in the Second World War. The RAF Benevolent Fund is the custodian of the Memorial, and is responsible for the Memorial's maintenance and upkeep in perpetuity. The RAF Benevolent Fund incorporates the Benevolent Fund of the former Polish Air Force Association, whose designated successor is the PAFMC. 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

2020 Coronavirus: Visits to the Museum in 2020 have been cancelled in accordance with Government advice. 17 Dec Battle of Britain Memorial Flight to repaint Hurricane in 303Sqn colours. The RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight has announced that its MkII Hurricane LF363 will be repainted as 303 Kościuszko squadron’s MkI Hurricane V6665, RF-J. The change of colour scheme will form part of the Hurricane’s major maintenance and servicing programme to be carried out during the winter by The Spitfire Company (Biggin Hill) Ltd. The BBMF said that it likes to keep LF363 in a Battle of Britain colour scheme to commemorate the massive part played by Hurricanes during the Battle. "After careful deliberation and research, it was decided that the aircraft will be painted to represent MkI Hurricane V6665, ‘RF-J’, of 303 Kościuszko (Polish) Squadron, during September 1940". Hurricane V6665 was delivered to 303 Tadeusz Kościuszko City of Warsaw Squadron at Northolt on 7 September 1940 and painted in the code of RF-J. Two days later ‘A’ flight commander Flt Lt Johnny Kent, flying this Hurricane, claimed a Messerschmitt Bf 110 destroyed and a Junkers Ju-88 probably destroyed. This Hurricane was also flown by Sgt Michał Brzezowski on 11 September when he claimed two Heinkel He 111s destroyed about 16.00. Brzezowski was the most successful pilot of V6665. Sadly he was shot down and killed four days later on 15 September flying P3577 with the code RF-E. On 26 September Sgt Tadeusz Andruszków flew V6665 and claimed a Dornier Do 17 destroyed. But the following day, flying the same aircraft, he was shot down at 16.30 over Horsham and killed and the Hurricane was destroyed. Sgt Tadeusz Andruszków was 19 years old and is buried in Northwood Cemetery, grave H-208. The BBMF said that Hurricane LF363 will not appear in the new colour scheme until the summer of 2021, but from then on it will allow the BBMF to tell the story of 303 Squadron during the Battle of Britain, its Polish pilots and its Canadian RAF flight commander Flt Lt Johnny Kent. 24 Oct 307 Squadron Project streams live The 307 Squadron Project has posted an open invitation to a series of video events ‘307 Squadron Day Live’ on Sunday 15 November. Due to Covid-19 the annual exhibition at Exeter Guildhall has been cancelled. However, the Polish flag will still be raised over the city, which 307 Squadron, known as the Lwów Eagle Owls, (Lwowskich Puchaczy) defended for two years during the war. The '307 Squadron Day Live’ online event includes: 09:45 - Raising of the Polish Flag. Live coverage from Exeter Guildhall with speeches from The Lord Mayor of Exeter, His Excellency The Polish Ambassador to Great Britain, Lord Lieutenant of Devon, RAF Brize Norton. 16:00 - 80 Years Ago. The story of 307 Squadron’s formation. 19:00 - 307 Squadron Day Live Semper Fidelis - the story of Exeter and 307 Squadron. Performances by singer Katy Carr Official Trailer of the film ‘The Navigator’ (produced by 307 Squadron Project) plus much more. The Facebook link for the event is available here www.facebook.com/307SquadronProject and scroll down to the live video. It will be able to be viewed even without a Facebook account. 30 Sept. Prime Minister praises Polish Air Force The Prime Minister Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP, in his constituency role as MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip, was recently sent details of the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee’s new film ‘The Polish Air Force in the Battle of Britain - An 80th Anniversary Tribute’. His response, addressed to the Trustee responsible for our Public Relations, is below: 28 Sept Book royalties donated to the PAFMC. Royalties from a new book about the Polish Air Force ‘Truly of The Few’ are being generously donated by its author Penny Starns to the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee. An article about the new book appeared in the July/August issue of ‘The 1940s Society’ and is available on page 36 by clicking this link. Penny Starns said: “Yes, all the royalties are going to the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee. I know it sounds really daft, but when I listen to all these pilots and I’ve got their laughter in my head, I’ve got their fears in my head. I’ve got the pilots telling me that sometimes their legs used to tremble before they went into a dive, but when they went into a dive their nerves were gone. I remember thinking that not enough people know about these pilots, they don’t know how important they are and I think if we can encourage people to understand that contribution it’s really important. So, by giving the royalties to the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee I’m hoping that will help to keep their memory alive.” ‘Truly of The Few’ which is published by Sabrestorm Publishing, normally costs £20, but is on special offer from the PAFMC at £16 plus £2.98 postage and packing and can be purchased by contacting PAFMC chairman Richard Kornicki on email richardkornicki@gmail.com Link 16 Sept Amended status for The Polish Air Force Memorial The Polish Air Force Memorial at South Ruislip, just outside the south east perimeter boundary of RAF Northolt, has been amended on the List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest to Grade II* status by Historic England. Historic England has concluded that after examining all the records, other relevant information and consultation responses, and having carefully considered the architectural and historic interest of this case, the criteria for listing at Grade II* are fulfilled. The designation decision in the List entry for The Polish Air Force Memorial, erected in 1948, should be amended and upgraded from Grade II to Grade II* for the following principal reasons: * Architectural and historic interest: to reflect the more than special interest of the memorial as a testament to the important role played by the Polish Air Force in the Second World War designed by an eminent Polish sculptor; * Clarity: to state clearly where the special interest of the monument lies and to aid future management and understanding; * Accuracy: to update the list description to the current format, and to correct the site name from Polish War Memorial to Polish Air Force Memorial. 14 Sept Battle of Britain tribute film launch The Polish Air Force Memorial Committee has spent the past few weeks producing a new film - ‘The Polish Air Force in the Battle of Britain – An 80th Anniversary Tribute’. This is now freely available from a link at the top of this website’s Home Page or direct on YouTube at this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lhoytCWsEY&feature=youtu.be The PAFMC had to cancel the normal annual Commemoration ceremony at Northolt because of Covid-19, and this film is intended to provide an educational and symbolic tribute that will be of value for many years. The PAF played a critical role in the Battle of Britain. This film is the PAFMC’s tribute and by making it freely available it is hoped that the achievements in the air of Britain’s only ally in 1940 will become more widely known, among both British and Polish audiences, especially the young. Please feel free to pass the link on to colleagues, family, friends, social media and anyone else who will find it of interest. 10 Sept Polish Air Force Memorial Ceremonies video compilation Although Squadron wreaths have been laid privately at the Memorial, this year we have all missed the opportunity of publicly commemorating the Polish Air Force. To fill that gap, a video compilation of excerpts from Ceremonies between 2006 and 2018, has been kindly put together by Marek and Cornelia Borzęcki. It includes footage of many veterans, familiar to us for many years, but now sadly departed and is available at the following link. https://youtu.be/RvtXIYf40Eg 9 Sept BBC Antiques Roadshow The BBC TV programme Antiques Roadshow is schedule to broadcast this Sunday 13 September a special commemorative programme on The Battle of Britain. Carol Waluga Gradwell is scheduled to appear talking about her father Jerzy Waluga, a mechanic in 303 Squadron. We do not know the content of the material that may feature in the programme. 8 Sept Polish Air Force Memorial Wreaths. Although we were unable to hold our normal Commemoration ceremony at the Polish Air Force Memorial this year, we have placed the wreaths at the Memorial. These are shown in the attached photographs. Instead of the Commemoration we have been making a new film ‘The Polish Air Force in the Battle of Britain - An 80th Anniversary Tribute’ . This will stand as a permanent tribute to the role of the Polish Air Force in the Battle of Britain. We had hoped to release this film around the time we would have had the Commemoration at the beginning of September. However, we have been slightly delayed by the amount and quality of material that we have been able to gather, including a full reconstruction of events in the Sector Operations Room at RAF Northolt on 15 September 1940. The editing is nearing completion and we are aiming to release the film before the 15 September and will be available on our website and YouTube. 15 August "15 August - Centenary of Polish defeat of the Bolsheviks at the Battle of Warsaw, 1920" The Battle of Warsaw was the turning point in the Polish-Bolshevik war of 1920. Under Piłsudski's leadership, Polish forces inflicted what Lenin called 'an enormous defeat' on the Red Army, after which the Bolsheviks abandoned their plans to impose communism across Europe. In the air, the Kościuszko Escadrille (forerunner of 303 Sqn) played an extremely valuable role attacking Bolshevik ground troops. Often referred to as 'The Miracle on the Vistula', it has been long regarded as one of the decisive battles in the world's history. A bi-lingual presentation is available by clicking on this icon Also there is a video on YouTube at this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMhXBympLyU&app=desk, both kindly provided by the Polish Embassy. 30 June Laguna Spitfire Project – latest news. The Laguna Spitfire project has appointed the airframe restoration and manufacturing specialist company Airframe Assemblies Ltd, as build partners for the restoration of the MKIIB Spitfire P8331, which was flown by Wg Cdr Piotr Laguna when it was shot down by flak on 27 June 1941. Airframe Assemblies, based in Sandown, Isle of Wight, is renowned worldwide for its restoration and repair of airframes for World War II aircraft, mainly Spitfires. For further information see this link: https://lagunasspitfirelegacy.org/appointment-of-build-partners-airframe-assemblies-for-spitfire-mkiib-p8331/ This Spitfire, in 303Sqn code RF-M, was also flown by Wg Cdr John Kent as part of the 1st Polish Wing at Northolt. His youngest daughter Alexandra Kent and Janek Laguna, the son of Wg Cdr Piotr Laguna, have accepted to be Honorary Patron’s of the Laguna Spitfire Project. For further information see this link: https://lagunasspitfirelegacy.org/news-blog/. Also see post below 29 April for additional information. 9 June Northolt Commemoration Ceremony Cancelled The annual Commemoration of Fallen Polish Airmen, scheduled for Saturday 5 September at the Polish Air Force Memorial at South Ruislip, is just twelve weeks away. Although the state of the Coronavirus pandemic is easing, we still have no idea when it will be possible to have unrestricted public gatherings at which it will be safe for people of all ages to take part. An event such as our crowded public Ceremony would obviously be a high-risk setting. RAF Northolt, where we had planned to have lunch in the Officers' Mess is not anticipating hosting public events until later in the autumn. We have delayed our decision as long as possible, but given the long lead-in period and planning requirements for an event on this scale, we have to make a judgement now. Having consulted the Polish Embassy and RAF Northolt, we have decided, with much regret, that the only prudent course is to cancel the public ceremony this year. It will be replaced by a filmed virtual Commemoration. This film will particularly mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and we intend it to serve also as a permanent tribute to the airmen of that time. We are aiming to release the film on the PAFMC website and YouTube prior to the 15 September. We recognise the deep disappointment the cancellation will cause - which the Committee of course shares - but we hope that we can rely on your understanding in these exceptional times. We look forward to welcoming everyone in person at next year's Commemoration, which will be on Saturday 4 September 2021. 2 June 307 Squadron Project Streams Live The 307 Squadron Project will live stream a video event - The Polish D-Day Story Live! on Saturday 6 June at 16.00 British Summer time. More details are available at this link: https://www.facebook.com/events/895236307648199/ The story of the Polish role during the invasion of Normandy, presented in English, includes interviews and details of how the Polish Air Force, Army and Navy played important roles during the D-Day Campaign. We will also include videos and photos, some of which have never been seen publicly before. You can watch this event, a first for our organisation, on our Facebook page facebook.com/307squadronproject. I f you do not have a Facebook account it will still be available to view by scrolling down to the live video link. 29 April Polish Air Force Memorial - temporary closure The Polish Air Force Memorial and the adjacent Memorial Garden at South Ruislip, will be temporarily closed for all public access from the 8 May. This is for essential routine maintenance work and reconstruction of paving to be carried out by the owner of the Memorial the London Borough of Hillingdon. The site will be totally locked down with external fencing until work is complete in 6 to 8 weeks’ time. LBC apologises for any inconvenience this necessary temporary closure may cause. 27 April 307 Squadron Project Streams Live. The 307 Squadron Project will stream for the first time a live video event 307 Squadron Live! on Sunday 3 May at 16.00 British Summer time. The story of the Polish 307 Squadron, presented in English, includes interviews with veterans and all are welcome to view on its Facebook page facebook.com/307squadronproject. I f you do not have a Facebook account it will still be available to view by scrolling down to the live video link. 307 Squadron Live! is part of Polish Heritage Day 2020 with the support of the Polish Cultural Institute. #PLHeritageDays #PolesinUK 22 April Polish Spitfire to fly again. The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority has issued the MKIIB Spitfire, serial number P8331 (Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory number 709) with its new civilian registration designated G-KOSC. This is the first step, by the recently formed Spitfire P8331 Restoration Project Ltd, towards producing an airworthy MKIIB Spitfire P8331, which served with 303 Kościuszko Squadron in the code of RF-M during 1941. The MKIIB Spitfire P8331 RF-M was flown by several 303Sqn pilots from 21 May 1941 until the 27 June 1941, when it was shot down during a raid on a Luftwaffe airfield near Coquelles, France. Its pilot, Wg Cdr Piotr Laguna, was killed and is buried in the military cemetery at Pihen-les-Guines, France, Row A Grave 9. At the time Wg Cdr Piotr Laguna, was commander of the 1st Polish Wing of 303Sqn, 306Sqn and 308Sqn at Northolt, and jointly led the fatal mission with Wg Cdr John Kent. The Spitfire P8331 Restoration Project Ltd is now seeking business leaders, companies and individuals interested in becoming serious partners in the estimated £3 million project, which is hoped to include any items that are deemed recoverable from the surviving wreckage. Only 170 MKIIB Spitfires were built at the Castle Bromwich factory and when complete P8331, in 303Sqn code RF-M, will be the world’s only airworthy MKIIB. The aim is to start on the project with a build partner within the next 6 to 12 months and be complete in time to fly to Poland for the 85th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain and the 80th Anniversary of VE Day in 2025.