By Isle of Wight Observer
The Friends of the ORP Błyskawica Society celebrated the 83rd anniversary of the defence of Cowes and East Cowes over the weekend.
On May 4 in 1942, the Polish warship, Błyskawica, was undergoing a refit at the J Samuel White shipyard, where she was built, when 160 German bombers launched an air raid. She fired repeatedly at the bombers and caused a smokescreen over the two towns, making it difficult for the German crews to identify their targets. A second air raid was launched later that night, when Blyskawica again defended the towns. The ship was supposed to be disarmed while being refitted, but Captain Francki had kept the ship’s ammunition supplies ready for use and ensured that his crew was combat ready. Although there was extensive damage, and 70 people died during the two air raids, without the preparedness and courage of the Blyskawica crew the outcome would have been much worse.
On Saturday, there was a short service held at East Cowes Cemetery attended by family members of the ORP Błyskawica crew, while wreaths were laid at the plaque commemorating the Blyskawica and her sister ship, Grom (Polish for lightning and thunder), being built, by IW Council Chairman, Cllr Karl Love, Mayor of East Cowes Tracy Reardon, and Christopher Magier. Peter Lloyd from the society spoke at the event with Fr Jonathan Redvers-Harris conducting the service. Later in the afternoon, there was another short service and laying of flowers at Kings Square in East Cowes.
In the evening, pianist Eva Maria Doroszkowska, who teaches piano at the Royal Academy of Music in London, and is the granddaughter of Captain Francki, gave a piano recital at Holy Trinity Church, Cowes.
Then on Sunday, the celebrations continued at the Bandstand on Cowes Parade with a performance by the Medina Marching Band. This was followed by a service attended by the Polish Defence Attache, Col Rafal Nowak, High Sheriff, Jacque Buzzard, Richard Quigley MP, Karl Love, Tracy Reardon and Cowes Mayor, John Nicholson. SPPW Southampton (Polish Veteran Society) and F Chopin Polish Saturday School, Southampton, attended with their standards.
Blyskawica is the only Polish Navy ship to have received the Order Virtuti Militari, Poland’s highest military award for gallantry. She is preserved as a museum ship in Gdynia.
