Local history

Nottinghamshire has strong links with Poland, especially around the Newark area.

Many Poles came to England to help with the war effort and many chose to stay on after Hitler was defeated.

Newark’s special relationship with Poland was cemented when the remains of the country's war time leader, General Wladyslaw Sikorski were entrusted to the town until his return to Krakow in 1993.

Origins

Those links were bonded during Britain's darkest hour. When Poland was invaded by Germany Polish pilots came to the UK and formed fighter squadrons that would operate during the Battle of Britain.

RAF Winthorpe near Newark was established in 1940. It was a satellite station for RAF Swinderby over the border in Lincolnshire.

Two Polish squadrons, 300 and 301, were based at Winthorpe.

Replica of Polish pilots badge

Never forget

Today, what was RAF Winthorpe has become home to the Newark Air museum.

The venue is building its collection of artifacts that commemorate the Polish contribution to the war effort.

"We had a visit a couple of years ago from Andrzej Dabrowa," says museum secretary Howard Heeley.

"His father was commanding officer of 301 squadron. [He donated] a brass replica of the Polish pilots badge found in the Officers Mess."

Howard says it's an important addition to the museum.

The replica would have been carried as a standard, probably used when pilots made make-shift alters in hangers where prayers would be said before they flew on operations.

Royal patronage

The effort of the Poles was recognised during the war years.

"There were quite a few Polish aces in the air force," says Howard.

"They also flew bombers like Wellingtons.

"[Their contribution was] so important that the King and Queen came to visit the Poles and inspected them at RAF Swinderby."

Lasting legacy

The work of the museum is ensuring the contribution of the Polish pilots is never forgotten.

"We know from traffic to the museum website that an increasing number of people are searching our site and that's resulted in more people visiting us."

More about the museum

The Newark Air Museum is open 361 days of the year and is located on part of the former World War Two airfield of Winthorpe in eastern Nottinghamshire close to the border with Lincolnshire.