Andrewsfield Aerodrome remembers Polish Air Force Squadrons

Around 250 people attended the unveiling on Sunday, September 29, which marked the 80th anniversary of the airfield being handed over to the RAF on October 1, 1944.

The day began with a commemoration service at St James Church in Great Saling to remember all the ground and air crew of the Polish Squadrons and the 133 Polish Wing in the RAF.

Derek Rusling (left) and Andrew Dzięgiel (right) of the Polish Heritage Flight with Janett Chrabąszcz from Remember the Heroes (Image: Nigel Leaney) During the service, the memorial plaque was blessed and tributes were made to the Polish Air Force.

Afterwards, attendees had the chance to sample traditional Polish fare, including extremely popular doughnuts.

The second part of the day was held at Andrewsfield, where there was an exhibition about the airfield, the Polish Squadrons and other elements of the Polish Air Force in WWII.

Some visitors on the day brought memorabilia from their family members who had served at the airfield.

Joe Pietrzak with Polish military historian Tad Dippel at the unveiling of the plaque (Image: Nigel Leaney) A memorial plaque was unveiled by Joe Pietrzak, the grandson of Sqn Ldr Henryk Pietrzak who was the last commanding officer of 309 Polish Squadron when based at RAF Andrewsfield.

The memorial plaque was made from granite by a stonemason in Poland and recently arrived in the UK.

On the plaque are the names of the five Polish Squadrons which were present at the airfield between October 1, 1944 and December 1945.

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On the day there was also a flypast by George Haye in the 'Suffolk Spitfire', and the event concluded with a talk by Derek Rusling about the Polish Heritage Flight and Polish Air Force Memorial Committee's upcoming memorial flight.

The flypast at Andrewsfield (Image: Nigel Leaney) A Hawker Hurricane G-HURI will fly from Duxford to Dęblin in August 2025 to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and the 100th anniversary of the Polish Air Force University at Dęblin.

Andrewsfield Aviation Ltd thanked Robert Bucknell for the support he gave to the project, as well as chief flying instructor Carol Cooper, airfield manager Mike Rowland, Polish Heritage Flight, Derek Rusling, Remember the Heroes and Minidelikatesy Kubus Braintree - who supplied the Polish food.