Poland in the UK

The display, titled "#BoBPoles80: Polish airmen in the Battle of Britain – 80th anniversary", presents iconic archive photographs telling the story of Poles who defended Britain from the Luftwaffe in the summer and autumn of 1940.

From images with King George VI and British ministers through photographs of Polish aces to a legendary group shot of the 303 Polish Fighter Squadron, the exhibition paints a picture of the life and contribution of the second-largest contingent in the Fighter Command during the battle.

The 20-panel exhibit, which hangs on the railings of the embassy, is part of the embassy's #BoBPoles80 campaign marking the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and the Polish role in it.

Opening the exhibition, HRH The Duke of Kent said: “Many thanks to His Excellency the Ambassador Arkady Rzegocki for his kind welcome to the Polish Embassy and his invitation to open the Exhibition to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and to honour the contribution of the Polish airmen.

"The story of the Polish pilots during the Battle of Britain is remarkably inspiring and is always worth retelling. Their courage, resilience and determination are legendary.

"This exhibition will ensure more people are aware of what took place, and that the exploits of the “Few”, will never be forgotten.

"The Polish contingent of airmen was the second largest in Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain. This shows the level of commitment, as ‘brothers in arms’, but is also underlines the ties that bind our two nations.

"It therefore gives me great pleasure to open the Polish airmen in the Battle of Britain 80th Anniversary Exhibition.”

Ambassador Arkady Rzegocki, who took part in the ceremony, said: "I am honoured that HRH The Duke of Kent has launched Polish Embassy's exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and the vital Polish contribution to this tide-turning engagement of the Second World War. It is a fitting tribute to the sacrifice the Few made all those years ago so that we can enjoy freedom today, and it shows the strong spirit of camaraderie between Poland and the United Kingdom in the most testing of times. Our pilots demonstrated that spirit through fighting together for the freedom of Poland, the UK and Europe. I invite everyone who can to visit the display and learn about the gallantry of the Battle of Britain Poles."

145 Polish fighter pilots served in the Battle of Britain in the 302 and 303 Polish squadrons as well as in British units.

Poles shot down 203 enemy aircraft and the 303 Squadron became the most effective Fighter Command unit in the battle. 

Thirty Polish pilots lost their lives in the 16-week fight in the British skies.

By the end of the war, more than 18,000 Polish airmen and airwomen were serving in the Polish Air Force in Britain.

The free exhibition runs until 31 October 2020 – the 80th anniversary of the end of the battle.

Polish Embassy UK Press Office