“For Your Freedom and Ours”

“For Your Freedom and Ours” project to mark Polish contribution to the Battle of Britain and links to Northern Ireland

“For Your Freedom and Ours” project aims to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain and the contribution made by the Polish fighter pilots.

In total, 145 Polish airmen fought in 302 and 303 and later the 312 and 315 (Polish) RAF squadrons as well as British units – they are a source of immense pride for Poland.

In 1943, the legendary 303 (Polish) RAF Squadron was posted to Ballyhalbert, Northern Ireland which by then was an Operational Training Unit (OTU), where crews trained before going into front line combat – or, in the case of 303, rested after a long spell at front line airfields.

On the beginning of September a group of Polish MEPs will visit graves of the Polish pilots in Milltown Cemetery and lay wreaths to pay respect to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice during the WWII.

Ulster Museum will host a unique exhibition (7 – 20 September), including the Rolls Royce Merlin engine recovered from the wrecked aircraft flown by Sergeant Franciszek Pretkiewicz, which crushed near Cushendall.

11147116_676283652502291_5215446727693088357_n

Number of outreach events and workshops will also take place across Northern Ireland to share the history with the wider public.

Thanks to the Housing Executive Northern Ireland and the local community, new murals will be unveiled to mark to the Polish contribution to the Battle of Britain.

On the 12 September there will be a day of activities at the Ulster Museum, including performance by the legendary British/Polish musician and aviator Katy Carr, presentation by the Ulster Aviation Society, talks, film screening and workshops.

Thanks to the Ulster Aviation Society a replica of the Spitfire aircraft will also be on display during the event.

For more information please visit our Facebook pagehttps://www.facebook.com/WWIIPolesNI and follow us on Twitter @WWIIPolesNI

This project is a part the UK wide campaign coordinated by the Polish Embassy in UK.

Please follow ‪#‎BoBPoles‬ and ‪#‎BoB75‬ and @PolishEmbassyUK on Twitter/Facebook/YouTube.

Similar Posts