A museum dedicated to the Polish World War II airmen in Britain will open next weekend at the former RAF Ingham air base in Lincolnshire in the north of England, where three Polish bomber squadrons were stationed during World War II. It is to be the first museum dedicated exclusively to the contribution of the Polish fliers to the British and Allied war effort.
“After so many years of hard work and dedication by our wonderful team of volunteers, we are finally able to open the Centre to the public,” Geoff Burton, the Chairman of RAF Ingham Heritage Centre, told the local Lincolnshire Today news website.
Speaking to Lincolnshire Today, Burton stressed that this is the first facility in the world in which the fate of airmen of the Polish Air Forces in the UK is not part of a larger exhibition, but dedicates the entire museum solely to them.
“This project is globally unique, and tells the story of the Polish Bomber Squadrons who fought alongside the RAF during the Second World War; but we also remember the almost forgotten history of a small Lincolnshire airfield RAF Ingham, that only ever existed through the war years.”
Now, after 14 years of efforts by local volunteers and history enthusiasts, a museum depicting both the wartime fate of Polish airmen and ground personnel and their subsequent struggles to find their way in the post-war realities in Britain has been created in the old outbuilding where the mess hall was during the war.
The museum will open to the public on Saturday, April 20. The exhibition is available in both English and Polish.
Polish Air Force in Britain and RAF Ingham
Thanks not only to their training received in Poland but also to combat experience gained during the German invasion of Poland in 1939 and the subsequent invasion of France in 1940, Polish fighter pilots belonged to the most experienced fliers RAF had under their command during the Battle of Britain that raged over British skies in the summer and early autumn of 1940.
Their contribution, disproportionate to their small number, received wide recognition during the war and has been rediscovered and again recognized decades later. The Polish Air Force stationed in the UK also operated several bomber squadrons.
RAF Ingham (subsequently RAF Cammeringham) base operated for only six years, from 1940 to 1946, with the base initially serving as an auxiliary to nearby RAF Hemswell. Polish 301 and 305 bomber squadrons were the first to be stationed there, later joined by 300 squadrons as well as three British RAF squadrons. After the war ended, it was briefly used for training and as a place to house demobilized Polish Air Force airmen but was closed in December 1946.
Speaking to Lincolnshire Today, Burton stressed that this is the first facility in the world in which the fate of airmen of the Polish Air Forces in the UK is not part of a larger exhibition, but dedicates the entire museum solely to them.
“This project is globally unique, and tells the story of the Polish Bomber Squadrons who fought alongside the RAF during the Second World War; but we also remember the almost forgotten history of a small Lincolnshire airfield RAF Ingham, that only ever existed through the war years.”
Now, after 14 years of efforts by local volunteers and history enthusiasts, a museum depicting both the wartime fate of Polish airmen and ground personnel and their subsequent struggles to find their way in the post-war realities in Britain has been created in the old outbuilding where the mess hall was during the war.
“We expect to welcome visitors from not only the local area, but regionally and nationally as well; and due to the global uniqueness of the Centre, we anticipate attracting international visitors from Poland, America, Canada, and Australia,” Burton said.Check out some snaps from the Lancaster Bomber assembly! This incredible 1:1 scale model was crafted by French artist Suhail Shaikh entirely from... cardboard! Yes, you read that right, cardboard! It took over 10 months to build. It was also a pleasure meeting Andrew Dziegiel. pic.twitter.com/tJlce7mxIM
— Karol Balicki - Polak z UK (@Polak_z_uk) March 7, 2024
The museum will open to the public on Saturday, April 20. The exhibition is available in both English and Polish.
Polish Air Force in Britain and RAF Ingham
Thanks not only to their training received in Poland but also to combat experience gained during the German invasion of Poland in 1939 and the subsequent invasion of France in 1940, Polish fighter pilots belonged to the most experienced fliers RAF had under their command during the Battle of Britain that raged over British skies in the summer and early autumn of 1940.
Their contribution, disproportionate to their small number, received wide recognition during the war and has been rediscovered and again recognized decades later. The Polish Air Force stationed in the UK also operated several bomber squadrons.
RAF Ingham (subsequently RAF Cammeringham) base operated for only six years, from 1940 to 1946, with the base initially serving as an auxiliary to nearby RAF Hemswell. Polish 301 and 305 bomber squadrons were the first to be stationed there, later joined by 300 squadrons as well as three British RAF squadrons. After the war ended, it was briefly used for training and as a place to house demobilized Polish Air Force airmen but was closed in December 1946.
Source: Lincolnshire Today, PAP, TVP World
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