Polish ‘Brothers in Arms’ exhibit at RAF Museum

Minister Sikorski at RAF exhibition; photo - EPA/Andy Rain

The show documents the participation of Polish, Czech and Slovak pilots in the WW II Battle of Britain.

The exhibition, whuch opened on Wednesday, comprises of a multi-media show comprised of drawings, archive film footage and sculpture. On display are the memorabilia relating to the legendary airmen Stanisław Skalski, Witold Urbanowicz and Josef Frantisek, the Czech pilot who fought in Polish units during the Battle of Britain.

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said during the opening ceremony that the Battle of Britain was the first victorious battle which stopped the march of Nazism in Europe.

He recalled that one fifth of Fighter Command’s aircrew were foreigners, mainly Poles, Czech and Slovaks.

‘It is worth remembering that after World War Two, these heroes could not return to their homelands and their war-time effort has not been sufficiently recognized,” Sikorski said.

Alongside the ‘Brothers in Arms’ exhibit, the RAF Museum has created an online exhibition and podcast about Poles in the Battle of Britain where families and friends of war veterans are invited to post their stories to be included in the museum website.

The ‘Brothers in Arms’ exhibit was mounted in collaboration with the National Remembrance Institute in Poland. (mk/pg)