Polish air crews who fought alongside Great Britain against Nazi Germany during World War II are being celebrated in a special new exhibition in Southport.
The Polish Heritage Flight display opens at The Atkinson, on Lord Street, today (Saturday 15th April 2023) and runs until Saturday 30th September 2023. Admission is free.
Remember. Inspire. Unity.
Pamiętamy. Inspirujemy. Zjednoczeni.
The Polish Heritage Flight was formed on 11th November 2019.
As part of the Historic Aircraft Collection based at the Imperial War Museum Duxford, the project aims to bring to life the stories of the incredible people who came to the ‘island of last hope’ to take up the fight from Britain against Hitler throughout the Second World War. Their ethos is to tell the story of all aspects of the Polish Story.
The Polish Heritage Flight flies in tribute to not only Fighter Command, but also Bomber Command, Coastal Command and all those that served in all the services and conflicts.
Through objects, stories and images, visitors to The Atkinson can learn a little more about those who once gave themselves for our freedom.
Sefton Council Heritage & Participation Officer Joanne Chamberlain said: “We are really excited about the opening of our new Polish Heritage Flight exhibition at the Atkinson this Saturday (15th April).
“We have worked really closely with the Polish heritage Flight and other partners, including people whose relatives fought with Polish RAF Fighter and Bomber Squadrons during World War II.
“We have some fascinating memorabilia and some remarkable stories to share with visitors.
“People can read more about the displays in both Polish and English.
“For the first time, The Atkinson will be partially open when Southport Armed Forces Day takes place, on Sunday 25th June 2023.
“Members of the Polish Heritage Flight including pilot Dave Harvey will be on hand at The Atkinson during that day to chat with people and tell them more about what they do.
“In the exhibition, we feature the story of Franciszek Kornicki. He was based at RAF Woodvale during World War II, and served in four different RAF Squadrons: 303, 308, 315 and 317.
“One of the objects we have on display is his attache case. He had it with him when he was a student to when he fled Poland from the Nazis, throughout the war and until his retirement. It is a very sentimental object.
“He was over 100 years old when he died.
“We also feature the story of Sgt Dziegiel. He was a tail gunner in Bomber Command flying in Wellington Bombers during World War II.
“His son, Andy, has kindly loaned us some of his possessions. They include a doodle he drew of his time in a German Prisoner Of War camp after his aircraft was shot down while on a mission.
“We have a huge picture across one wall showing the Polish Heritage Flight Spitfire, BM597, being flown by pilot Dave Harvey against the wonderful backdrop of Southport with landmarks including the Marine Lake, King’s Gardens, and even The Atkinson!
“It was taken from another aircraft flying alongside the Spitfire.
“The aircraft had been back to RAF Woodvale, where it had been based during World War II, it was retracing its old footsteps.
“We also have some wreckage from Spitfire BL585 being flown by Polish pilot Palej which crashed near Golborne Colliery on Friday 13th 1943.
“The pilot parachuted clear. The miners came out and thought he was a German and were out to get him, until a supervisor recognised his Polish insignia. He survived the war and only died in the 1990s.
“The crashed Spitfire was only recently discovered by the Lancashire Aircraft Investigation team.
“We have two of the aircraft’s Hispano cannons on display along with other pieces of wreckage.
“We hope visitors enjoy our new exhibition.”
- For more on what’s happening at The Atkinson, please visit: www.theatkinson.co.uk
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