Logo Polskiego Radia

Poles in UK celebrate Battle of Britain

PR dla Zagranicy
Jo Harper 15.09.2015 13:23
Poles living in the UK are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the the Battle of Britain on Tuesday in London. Large numbers of Polish airmen took part in the campaign.
Members of the predominantly Polish 303 Squadron, which fought as part of Britain's Royal Air Force during World War II. Photo: Wikimedia CommonsMembers of the predominantly Polish 303 Squadron, which fought as part of Britain's Royal Air Force during World War II. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Polish groups based in the UK will commemorate 303 Squadron pilots who were well-known for their courage and heroism.

St. Paul’s Cathedral will celebrate Mass with the participation of members of the royal family and Polish President Andrzej Duda.

The Battle of Britain is the name given to the Second World War air campaign waged by the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) against the UK during the summer and autumn of 1940. It was the first major campaign to be fought entirely by air forces.

Preventing Germany from gaining air superiority, the British forced Hitler to postpone and eventually cancel Operation Sea Lion, a planned amphibious and airborne invasion of Britain. However, Germany continued bombing operations on Britain, known as The Blitz.

After the German invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939, many young Polish Air Force fighters made their way to Britain via Romania to France where they fought in the Battle of France. In total 139 Poles fought in the Battle of Britain and they gained a reputation for aggressive aerial combat.

303 (Kościuszko) Squadron made up of Polish airmen was based in Northolt. 303 was formed on 2 August and was first blooded on 30 August when during a training flight it came upon German aircraft that had penetrated into 11 Group’s forward defences. (jh/rk)

Print
Copyright © Polskie Radio S.A About Us Contact Us