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75th anniversary of Battle of Britain marked

PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge 10.07.2015 15:19
Tributes were held on Friday marking the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, the 11-week airborne clash with Nazi Germany's Luftwaffe in which Polish pilots played a key role.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh, joined by members of the British Royal family, on the balcony of Buckingham Palace as crowds line the streets in central London, watching a flypast by aircraft, including WWII Hurricanes and Spitfires.EPA/Sean DempseyBritain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh, joined by members of the British Royal family, on the balcony of Buckingham Palace as crowds line the streets in central London, watching a flypast by aircraft, including WWII Hurricanes and Spitfires.EPA/Sean Dempsey

Britain's royal family, headed by Queen Elizabeth II, watched a flypast over Buckingham Palace on Friday morning.

Meanwhile, Poland's lower house of parliament's defence committee has approved a draft resolution that honours Polish participants in the battle.

The airborne Battle of Britain was one of the decisive battles of World War II in which Poles made significant contribution to the victory,” the draft resolution reads.

The 75th anniversary of the battle is the perfect occasion to recall not only two squadrons taking part in it - 302 and 303 fighter squadrons, but also to recall other aviators who fought on all fronts in World War II.”

The predominantly Polish 302 and 303 squadrons of Britain's Royal Air Force (RAF) proved highly effective during the battle.

303 Squadron managed to destroy more enemy aircraft than any other RAF formation.

By the close of the war, almost 20,000 Polish airmen and airwomen were serving in Britain.

Many chose not to return to Poland, after a Soviet-backed communist regime was installed in their homeland. (nh)

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