Polish Ship Saved An English Town
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.ย. 2024
- In May 1942, the Polish destroyer Błyskawica was instrumental in saving the towns of Cowes and East Cowes, on England's south coast, from worst damage during a huge German air raid.
Many thanks to Patrick Eden for this video idea!
Dr. Mark Felton is a well-known British historian, the author of 22 non-fiction books, including bestsellers 'Zero Night' and 'Castle of the Eagles', both currently being developed into movies in Hollywood. In addition to writing, Mark also appears regularly in television documentaries around the world, including on The History Channel, Netflix, National Geographic, Quest, American Heroes Channel and RMC Decouverte. His books have formed the background to several TV and radio documentaries. More information about Mark can be found at: en.wikipedia.o...
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Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Mark Felton Productions. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Mark Felton Productions does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
Credits: US National Archives; US Department of Defense; Maria Kalinowska; Freedom Weird; Kenraiz; Darkone; Google Maps; Friends of the ORP Błyskawica Society; Patrick Eden
Thumbnail: Marek Hrycak
Gotta love the polish. Even if their nation was ruined and their people were oppressed, all free and armed troops fought ferociously in the hopes of retaking their homes
It’s a shame that the Allies sold out their country to the Soviets, especially FDR was to chummy with Stalin. Churchill didn’t trust him longer then he could throw him!
And were utterly let down after the war. As I'm sure you're aware, the Polish fighter pilots were the most ferocious that the RAF had, brave to the point of self-destruction.
They'll do it again if they have to.
I've never met a Poll I didn't automatically like. Really. Just good people.
@@ericcriteser4001 sure, but ive been robbed at knife point on a trip there....
Thank you for this material as a Pole. We were sold to Stalin and didn't participate in victory parade. I'm glad such renown historians remember about us
The UK owes a lot in recognition to the Polish nation. Thank you.
Ja lubie Polski
City of Breda (Netherlands) is forever thankful to the polish liberators, and remembers them every year at “dodenherdenking”. As my mother always told me; thanks to the polish liberators we still had a city left after the liberation. The US would have bombed the city to pieces before liberating.
In order to maintain the uneasy alliance with the Soviet Union, the western allies downplayed the role of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact in starting the war in Europe. After the Soviet Union continued to occupy nations of eastern Europe after the war, the truth should have been known far and wide. Unfortunately, to this day far too many people think only Hitler started the war, while the Russians promote the myth that they were victims.
The poles fought valiantly especially at Arnhem alongside us brits, always be apreciated and remembered by me anyway
Hats off to the Polish armed forces; many have ignored their contributions, but many of us do not. Our Eastern European allies are formidable and staunch, as we are now being reminded. All power to them.
The roles of Poles in the survival of Britain was unbelievable. The polish people deserved so much for what they sacrificed, and instead they were ‘liberated’ and occupied by another evil for 40 years. Europe owes Poland a huge debt.
Those Polish soldiers and sailors fought so hard and bravely to protect the United Kingdom at all cost should be honored fully. Mark Felton has done a great job about keeping all historical facts alive and I praise him a great deal for doing his part. He has made it easier for us to understand all of the historical facts of World War Two alive. He has given us a first rate of education about this piece of history.
His name is Mark Felton, Dr. Mark Felton.
Soldier are dumb dogs
War is death , not freedom
STOP FIGHTING EACH OTHER
Government is a scam
Fenton is a brand of lamp shades made of glass. Great product, I highly recommend them if you are into Victorian architecture.
Don't forget the airmen as well who manned several squadrons of the RAF.
@@skwalka6372! That's a very nice name. What kind of name is that?
Many thanks Dr Felton! The original iron-girder shipyard crane, that had been used to build "Błyskawica", was still preserved when I visited Cowes in 2006 - with great effort of Mr Otton Hulacki, who was a Polish former officer of the Patton army, that settled in England after the war in Newport - the main town of the Isle of Wight. Though the shipyard had been replaced by marinas, the crane was still there. There is a famous painting of fighting "Błyskawica" shooting German planes, moored next to that crane. I am also grateful for footage of rescue action in Cowes as I remember walking down those streets during my visit in England.
"Błyskawica" served in active duty in post-war Poland until 1967, when the steam pipeline broke, killing several sailors and then was turned to a musem ship in replacement for another pre-war Polish destroyer ORP "Burza" which was scrapped due to corrosion.
Greetings from Szczecin in Poland.
As an Australian, i see Poland as the best judge on so called free country's turning in to dictatorships for obvious , unfortunate reasons.
On youtube a viral video supporting us here by 4 brave, articulate and resolute Polish Politician's denouncing our treacherous politicians and their scumbag mates in the MSM in this war on humanity, that is the lies of the Covid Cowardly, Collaborator's .
It puts the hair's up on the back of my neck every time i watch it with my kids to know that some people, still have integrity and REFUSE to go down on bended knee.
Truly, my brothers in arms.
Watch the World of Warships "Naval Legends" video on the Błyskawica for this episode of her career.
The Hammerhead crane is still there.
My landlord during the 70s was a highly decorated Polish veteran a true gentleman and good all round man.
The Polish in WW2 fought beside our troops with honour and insane levels of bravery. We in the UK have not forgotten. Dziękuję Polsko!
Yea lets not forget UK and others stabbed czech, Poland and rest of Europe in the back. These countries were betrayed and have been left for dead. After the war you left these countries to the mercy of Stalin. UK has done nothing but looked at it own self-interest while others suffered.
UK is Nazi
The Queen is German and they set everyone up
❤
The Polish Nobility were Nazis
they sold their own people out
Sorry but quite a few have forgotten.
Between this ship and Piorun, the two of them both where splendid examples of how Polish allies helped shape the face of the war.
The Lazerpig video on the Piorun was great. The Poles definitely wanted Germany to know they were sick of their crap.
The Poles played a critical role in WW2 that gets downplayed by history. Great video.
I've seen this ship in Gdynia several times, I never knew it was such a legend! Coming back to East Cowes where it was built to aid Englishmen there and in Dunkirk was a nice gesture! I'll be sure to try get on the ship on my next visit! Thanks Mark
Watch the World of Warships Naval Legend video about this ship.
Wow no way! I live in Gdynia and see this badboy every now and then, when Im visiting the shore! Thank u so much for this!
My Father was part of the ARP rescue teams working in Artic Road (the line of damaged houses pictured) all through the raid. I may only be here because the defence the Polish navy put up.
The way a small polish destroyer ship battled at point-blank range against the oooh-so mighty Bismarck is still stuff for legends.
and legend has it, signalled in German morse code "Polish ship is coming to kill you" each time it ran in to attack.
This destroyer attacking Bismark was ORP Piorun. Thunderstruck. Commander commodore lieutenant Eugeniusz Plawski. DSC. His order is legend in Poland: “signal by ALDIS lamp to Bismarck ”. Ha made this night hundreds of good leader military decisions. Also one tasty more: “ three times broadside all guns fire for glory of Poland”. 132 kg vs2 tons of Bismarck guns. The most important were 4 officers in Navigation Room. ? Making calculations if changes if speed, course and position now and position in a minute ahead. Navigators. Trained. Professional. Bismarck did not had central targeting room, so 4 Polish navigators were fighting for live of all Thundrestroke crew vs single targeting officers of each gun of German ship. Polish were sending continuous radio signals: “G65 in direct contact with Bismarck. Our position…” these four Navigators of ORP Thundrerstroke Piorun made the next day victory. Polish destroyer was ordered by CMR avian to return - low fuel. It is what doctors oreder: return from battle as first. ! Under big war banner of Polish Navy ORP Piorun came to Davenport. Drinks for free in all pubs. Also in Porthsmuth. Full up and pull service to ship! (ORP means just warship of Republic of ) Poland. Cmdr Pulaski spend first years after emigration as labour in sawmill.. his shift boss was NCO bosnen from allied Navy. Who hates more COs? Enemy or NCO? You know.. he was seriously ill. As tough man he ended as well off in USA Inteligence . Central? Bureau? No: Agency advicir😎
@@wojciechpaka4250 Wonderful story mate.
My late Dad was ex WWII RN.
Bless you and all the Polish people
As a Dutchman, I have a lot of respect for Poland and the Polish, you guys truly can be proud of yourselves!
Thank you!
I greatly appreciate the effort Dr Felton made to correctly pronounce the Polish names in this video; rarely do historians try to ensure that they arent butchering foreign words.
I practiced several times - Polish is very tricky!
@@MarkFeltonProductions Yep :)
I live in Gdynia (Poland) - ORP Blyskawica is now museum-ship docking in the marine just few minutes from my house! Thank you vary much for the story Mark :)
We owe so much to the Polish, after witnessing the horror inflicted on their homeland many made their way to Britain and fought like lions alongside allied troops.
Originally, Blyskawica's main armament were twin 120 mm guns, but she was refit while in Britain; one of the reasons, aside from unifying the ammunition with the one used by the Royal Navy, was that the original guns could not elevate more than 35*; with its new 102 mm guns, Blyskawica could succesfully engage aerial targets.
The British also used 120mm ammo (on ships like HMS Cossack) it's not about the caliber but the AA role of the main guns. The 120mm Bofors simply didn't have the elevation.
@@SebaX92
Bofors 120 mm had different ammo from British 120 mm
The reason for the war, was so they can rule over you and make people slaves
Good 1?
UK is Nazi
All government is Roman
Many others and I would never remotely come close to all these nuggets of history without you, so thank you!
I was working on the Isle of Wight for the whole of January, the Island is a really nice place and every taxi driver knows about the Błyskawica - the islanders are still very grateful of the ships defense of their Island during the war
So glad to see this heroic ship survive the war, dodge the scrappers, and be memorialized as a museum.
Had the honor to visit Blyskawica in Gdynia by skwark Kosciuszki back in the 80s Poland. Still was painted in 1960s paint scheme, gray. ... and Burza means thunder storm in Polish. Also, for model hobbyists Polish company Mirage Hobby makes few different versions/paint schemes of her.
Polish army in exile is widely ignored by most of the historians.
I really appreciate your videos Mark! Keep it up!
I agree.
You are correct, but nowadays only regarding the one fighting under the Soviet command - the Armia Ludowa, because Poland is now a Western puppet and any prior cooperation with the Russians is to be buried under a ton of hatred.
As for the Polish army in the West it is being constantly lauded. Destroyer Piorun's participation in the hunt for the Bismarck, Blyskawica's exploits, obviously, 303 squadron (and a little less the 302), the exploits of submarines Orzel and Wilk, Polish participation in the Battle of Monte Cassino, Operation Market Garden...
@@VersusARCH western puppet, eh? Too bad Poland isn't enjoying the freedom of the Russian Mir, like Ukraine currently is...
They certainly are NOT ignored. The Polish are included in every serious historian's account of the war. Some Polish people on, on the other hand, make out they did the British a favour by joining us! The Poles fought magnificently, but they did it because we fed, clothed, trained and armed them.
@@mrswinkyukIt's no secret that many Poles fought in the Wehrmacht. The Russians specially selected Poles from among the prisoners and sent them to the Polish Army! It was a rare case in relation to prisoners, it seems to me. So they dressed, shod and fed them almost all the warring parties. 🤗
Thank you Dr. Felton for highlighting the fact that Poles still contributed a lot to the outcome of WW2 even after their country was crushed by the Nazis and the Soviets.
Can’t believe I’ve not heard this amazing story, thanks to her brave crew and her incredible weaponry, many of the people of Cowes were saved from the bombing raid. The story of any of the other engagements she took part in would be awe inspiring enough but it seems the crew of this ship made a massive impact wherever they fought and the wisdom of her captain to ignore orders was a master stroke. Thanks for the video
If all my school teachers were like you i may have learnt more at school. Another great video Mark
Your older now, you probably wasn’t as interested in history when you were a kid
@@BJJISTHEGAYPARTOFMMA actually history was the only lesson i paid attention to 😆
No you wouldn't have.
What people are being taught about now is that if nations unite against tyranny, they become the new world order.
Maybe. Learning is a two-way street. Yes, you need good teachers, but the student also needs to *want* to learn. Many kids don't see the need to learn, or don't have the impetus or self-discipline to keep learning even when they'd prefer not to. And now we see the results in everyday life - you reap what you sow.
My mother used to tell stories of the Polish crew and Błyskawica, since she was living on Mill Hill Rd during the war. Her comments about the friendliness of the crew to the local children in the area and also of how the ship saved the town during the bombing raid still stay with me.
Mum also said that on a different occasion, she was in her room when a Dornier 17 flew past her bedroom window, so presumably a low level attack on JS White's (where she worked after the war)?
Later on in the war there were German PoW's who were permitted out on day-release to work on the local farms. They would walk past Mum's house and talk. Just young people caught up in the war, but frendships were made and our families remained connected into the 1980's. Herman was on an E-boat that was destroyed and he was quite happy to see out the war by doing a bit of farming on the Island.
Thank you Mark! Another great bit of history presented superbly.
One of the best military history channels!
I’m from Cowes and my dad Tim Gladdis the former chairman for the society that raises funds for the ship in England and he has also done some artwork of the ship, the 80th anniversary of the Blitz on Cowes is coming up and there’s going to be a few events in the town around that time.
Glad the people of Cowes are keeping the memory and that historic friendship alive. Greetings!
@@CRPsupreme I'm from Ryde, another town on the island and this is by far my favourite WWII story I tell to everyone. My dad, despite not having any connection to Poland would always tell me Polish servicemen were the most tenacious and dedicated and knowing they had a hand saving my place of birth makes me incredibly grateful. 🇵🇱
@@CoreyIOW Thanks for sharing! I might have to visit the Isle of Wight then, if I ever happen to be in the UK
@@CoreyIOW thank you!
We of the UK owe the Polish people deep gratitude.
But you still voted to kick them out.
@@SirAntoniousBlock yeah yeah sure
Thank you for covering this Dr. Felton. I have attended the annual commemorations of the defence of Cowes almost every year for the last 25 years as a member of the local Royal British Legion Branch and as a member of the Cowes RBL Band. I shall be there again this year on the 8th of May, this time as bandmaster, to mark the 80th anniversary. This year we are due to be joined by ORP Wodnik the Polish Navy training ship.
Cowes/East Cowes was not just a seaside town at that time. White's were a major ship builder but there was also Saunders Roe based there building seaplanes alongside other industrial concerns making the mouth of the Medina river a prime industrial target. In fact Blyskawica is not the only WW2 destroyer from White's to survive as our own HMS Cavalier is also a White's ship. A testament to the companies motto "White's built, well built".
Blyskawica and Grom (which means Thunder) were indeed very fast destroyers, the fastest in the world when built. They were also large and heavily armed for the type. They were the pinnacle of the Polish fleet at the outbreak of the war. Their great speed and strength made them ideal for convoy escort duties as they were just about the only ships in the Allied fleet that could keep pace with the troop ship liners such as RMS Queen Mary making them invaluable.
The Polish love ORP Blyskawica and hold her in the same esteem as we British hold HMS Victory. In fact both are still officially the flagships of their respective fleets, although the most dangerous thing they will ever have to face again is hoards of children on school trips!
Many Polish sailors were billeted with local families whenever the ship was in dock and quite a few married locally. as a result there is still a strong Polish community on the Isle of Wight to this day and close links between the Island and Poland.
As an additional note at 5:00 you can see the bottom of Market Hill, Cowes. Amongst the rubble you may be able to make out the remains of the town's war memorial. Prior to this raid it had stood erect there but as seen now lies broken. It was never fully repaired. after the war it was moved to Northwood Park and re-erected. this time in two parts. The plinth and stub having the broken top part (seen in the foreground) laid across it in homage to the events of that night.
Thank you Laszlo!!!
Thank you, Mr. Felton, for this history. It saddens me and my Polish friends that they, were invaded and abused by the Germans and then the Russians. Long live a free Poland.🇵🇱
i had always known of the assistance that the polish pilots gave to the RAF during and after the battle of britain, but i was completely unaware of just how much the people of poland were owed by us here in the uk untill i visited the Polish Forces War Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum several years a go. thank you dr felton for bringing this wonderfull story to more people.
German high command: "A ship? you failled to level that town and you blame a lone lousy ship? Are you an idiot or only an incompetent?"
German pilot: "It was a pole ship."
German high command: "Oh! I'm sorry to screaming at you boy. It must have been a terrifying situation for all of you. I'm glad you managed to survive."
Another fantasist here i see.
It was a good one. I giggled as I read it. :)
I grew up near Southampton in the 1970’s and 80’s and as children, we were always made aware of the incalculable sacrifices made by the Polish Free Forces. There were many, many Poles (also Lithuanians, Estonians, Latvians, Czechs ) in exile in our lives, running my playschool, working as teachers, shipbuilders, engineers, lawyers, writers, academics.
We knew from an early age how Poland was abandoned to the Soviet Union and how disgusted our Parents and Grandparents generations were at the decision of the UK Government to abandon and sacrifice the Polish people; having given them hope of their country’s freedom after helping us keep ours.
I became a Military, Maritime Aviation Historian due to the exiled people we grew up with and my Grandparents fighting in WW11. Just one of many, many volunteers and historians who interviewed Veterans of Allied Forces for the purposes of Oral History recordings, now available to all via the Museums and Archives throughout Britain.
Harrowing, heartbreaking are shallow words in comparison to the suffering Warrior Free Poles who were separated from their families, friends, homes and country. I am deeply proud to have known the Poles in exile throughout my 50+ years - and to be aware of the immense sacrifices made to give myself and my peers the life of freedom we enjoy.
There wasn’t a happier person in the world the day the young Polish people came to Britain to work, live and play and am very fond of my own Polish neighbours and friends. Please never forget that NOTHING can ever compensate for the despicable treatment of the Poles both in exile and in Poland by the UK Government at the end of WW11.
Thanks for the story.
When was WW11? Must have missed that one. Not sure I'd trust a historian who doesn't understand Roman Numerals.
@@Joshua-fi4ji Allowing for a bit of misunderstanding of the Roman numbering system; I understand WW11 was after WW1 and will highly likely precede WW111 ... which might have already started for all we know.
I wouldn't get too upset about the Roman numerals ... it's a bit like getting tied up over "it's vs its", "they're vs there vs their", etc, on social media - in the end it's like ploughing the sea, and is highly unlikely to change the habits of people.
@@vk2ig you don't need grammatical perfection online, but when someone claims to be a historian (i.e. expert) then proceeds to prove they don't understand something as basic as the Roman numbering system, it calls into question what else they might not fully understand.
If you don't understand a system, don't use it. Just write WW2 - it's just as valid as WWII.
You don't lose credibility over a couple of typos, but you do over misusing a system. It'd be like an engineer getting imperial and metric measurements muddled up (though with less severe consequences).
@@vk2ig also me being from Portsmouth, I can't in good conscience not say anything about someone from Southampton.
It's very heartening to learn that the visits continue, it's these kind of naval/military traditions that need more coverage of. It brings a smile to my face. Our new destroyers should repay the favour and moor up beside her for a few days.
Imagine being ordered to leave your home country in its time of need. For the veteran sailors the ship became their home and country, and perhaps after the war a vessel for their memories of better times. I'm sure it pleased many to see the old ship taken care of.
No matter how many times I hear this story it never gets old.
As a Pole, I am honored that Mark Felton talks about Polish participation in World War II. Thank you very much for these little mentions. The history of the Polish army and Underground army is often overlooked and downplayed. It's a pity there is a lot to talk about.
I visited this ship last year, very nice. The tri city is worth visiting. Gdańsk, gdynia and sopot.
I grew up on the isle of wight, my grandfather told me this story all the time as a kid and I can specifically remember the bit about the burning barrels of the guns and their glow it fascinated me, so I was amazed to see the story featured on the Mark Felton channel ....... Simply mind blown.
This beautiful ship still exists today
Looks like Mark Felton likes our Polish fighting spirit. 😀
Everybody loves your Polish fighting spirit .................. except for that little freak in the Kremlin who is being taught new words, like "bayraktar".
@@taterkaze9428 😄
@@taterkaze9428 thank you!
Salute to the sailors (and airmen and soldiers) from Poland who fought in WW2. Brave men and a solid contribution to the war effort. Bravo!
I'm English. Been in Poland for 3 months. Big up to my Polish Brothers and Sisters.
Brilliant heart warming story. Thankyou for bringing to light. We need more to help us understand in Britain that World War II was won by a huge coalition of Allied forces. Polish pilots helped us win the Battle of Britain and many land campaigns. First I've heard of their naval assistance.
I'm from the Isle of Wight and my grandfather remembers watching this all unfold. He still has his books for counting the planes going over.
Not the first time a polish ship helped to defend a british target - the _Piorun_ did it also
Another interesting video, Mark, and something I didn't actually know about. In that shot of her safely at harbour today, I was pleased to see the _Błyskawica_ still has her colours run up - fitting for such an heroic vessel
She is still the flagship of the Polish fleet, all be it as a museum ship similar to HMS Victory.
British built though ;)
Ah, I know this story as the 'Saviour of Cowes' (or near enough by the locals), since I was born and brunged up from Dec 1945 on the Isle of Wight, for getting into action against the German bomber raids on Cowes either side of the river Medina. Now different of course with car Ferry port, for the run to Southampton and back, and also where the yachts come for 'Cowes Week' regatta. every year.
Had it not been for the 'Błyskawica' been in the docks for repairs, then things there would have been (as you explained) a lot worse with casualties and damage.
There is also a memorial plaque in The Parade at Cowes to commemorate the the bravery and action of the ships crews in defence of the town:
THE MEDINA BOROUGH COUNCIL
This plaque is to record the
sincere appreciation of
the residents of East and West Cowes
to the Officers and Crew of the
Polish Ship
THE "BLYSKAWICA"
who on the 5th May 1942
bravely and selflessly defended the town
against enemy air attack
and thereby reduced the casualties
and damage caused by the air raids
AUGUST 1982, F K BAILEY, MAYOR
Other stories are about the Stuka attacks on the radar station on top of Boniface Downs in the Chain Home group, and sadly not much left of it now, with just a few bunkers, a pill box and concrete pads where the transmitter and receiver towers once stood. A lot of bomb craters are there but all over grown with brambles and gorse bushes, but not back in the mid 50's when us nippers went up there to explore the place.and not all over grown.
There was another site at St Lawrence which I believe started off as just mobile radar trucks, and then build with the concrete pads for the transmitters and receivers, with bunkers as well, and eve back in the 50's a barrage balloon would still be flying overheard. Later I think was was turned over the the farmer and many of the sheds/bunkers were turned into pig houses and chickens I think. Also back then there used to be a few rows of Nissan huts to house the refugees from bombed out people from the Mainland, and us nippers used to wave at them when walking down the lane to the farm as I and parents knew the owners of the farm the Whitelocks. I live at St. Lawrence from born to about 1952, and then moved to Bonchurch shore.
There used to be quite a bit of reminders from WWII, but nearly all gone now, like the 'Blue Streak' (and the Black knight) missile site over at The Needles, and little of that is left now, plus a few gun batteries still in place and some from the days when the French used to invade the Island.
Opps, sorry all, as I get a bit carried away about our small Island....:)
I visited this ship on my vacation in Gdansk, such a great warship.
I have heard nothing but praise for Polish forces in WW2 and I am grateful to them.
“We have bit of bash” - a Polish comment I heard once! An uplifting heroic tale for a change. It would be nice if the Blyskowica (?) could return to Cowes at some point
Thanks for covering these events. Makes me feel even prouder of the Achievements of my people during these atrocious times.
My dad worked as a riveter at J.S.Whites, where he helped to build the famous, to Cowes, Blyskawica. This, I have, also, seen at Gdynia, Poland! It saved our town in 1942. I was alive, in Cowes, during the raid and was in a shelter. Thank you, Polish sailors, for saving my life. I was born close to the shipyard. Polish sailors visited our home.
I'm from East Cowes (Other side of the river) used to walk by the plaque dedicated to the Błyskawica in Cowes everyday on the way to school. Great to see you covering the story!
Thank you! You even made an effort to put ł in the name!
👍🏻
She's a fine ship with some great history.
It is good to remind folk not of that time period that even the countries that had been conquered still had fighting forces outside their country's and they were just as tough and just as willing to lay down there lives to protect innocent life as any of the free allies.. Well done again Mark.
On May 26, 1941 the Polish destroyer ORP Piorun was the first ship to spot the Bismarck on its race to Saint Navarre after the Royal Navy lost contact 17 hours earlier. Arriving first on the scene Piorun charged at Bismarck, introducing herself by flashing “I am a Pole” and then opened fire with three salvos. Piorun then exchanged fire with Bismarck (4.7 inch versus 15 inch) for an hour closing to within 12,000 meters. Piorun and HMS Maori then shadowed Bismarck until daybreak when HMS King George V and HMS Rodney arrived and could range their 14 and 16 inch guns.
ORP Błyskawica and HMCS Haida - the only remaining members of Destroyer Flotilla 10.
Both ships, and their fellows, gave a sterling account of themselves throughout their service.
Another great dokument by Max Felton! Thank you very much.
Heartfelt thanks for this video. I live within walking distance of the quay where Blyskawica is mooring. One of local favorites to visit with out-of-town guests.
I'm very glad you covered this story!
Fun fact: another Polish destroyer - ORP _Piorun_ (Thunderbolt), later famous for basically charging Bismarck, did something similar in Clydebank, Scotland, defending the town against an air raid between 13 and 15 March 1941.
More to the point: both ships fought in defence of cities in which they have been respectively built.
@@piotrd.4850 Yes, indeed!
My grandfather, who served as an armourer in the RAF used to tell me stories about his part in the war and one of them was how fierce, brave and crazy some of the Polish fighter pilots were, and he used to follow this up with, "its no wonder after what the nazis did to their country". It was only when I was older, and willing to take an interest in Poland's war history did I truly understand what my grandfather was trying tell me.
A really nice video, thanks. I think that more important is the fact that Polish scientists Jerzy Różycki, Henryk Zygalski, Marian Rejewski cracked the Enigma machine code before World War II and they built a copy of the Enigma machine. Then the Polish government handed over the Enigma to the British government just for free. I think that thanks to this, Poles saved hundreds of thousands of people not only in England, but also around the world.
It is also worth mentioning that Polish squadrons like 303, 302 defended London during the Battle of England. Polish pilots were extremely effective, to such an extent that at first people did not believe in the number of their downings.
Polish soldiers fought on all fronts of World War II. During World War II Poland had several armies. In Poland at the beginning of the war, then in Russia, Africa, France and then in Great Britain.
It is the only country that resisted Germany from the beginning to the end of World War II.
Thank you. Poland is a wonderful county.
In Cowes, Isle of Wight, there is a Francki Place named after the Captain of the ORS Błyskawica, with a touching memorial plaque.
Mark, thank you for this film. It is nice to see Polish war effort appreciated.
Lived in Cowes for 20 years ,so I know the basics of the story still was even more intresting to get one of youre fantastic short videos ,many thx
Polska and Polish people are awesome! I very much admire and love this brave nation!
-- With love from Việt Nam
Oh yes, finally a video about Polish Army in Exile!
Again.....i had no idea, thank you Mark for giving most of us the opportunity to learn
I’m from Clydebank. A Polish ship, bravely fired on Luftwaffe aircraft as they conducted the Clydebank blitz. We have a memorial to this in the town.
I love the polish people! ☺️ a lad who works for me has the same name as the captain I can’t spell it but it sounds like ‘voy-check’ and he’s a really decent hard working lad aswell
Wojciech, just like the legendary Polish Bear! :)
Please see in net for definition Wojciech name. Shortly Wa(rior)joy. Man enjoying fight. Similar in Nordic: Berserk. In all legend is bit of true. May this name have a roots in high adrenaline phenomena during fighting? Invincible. Fast. Not bleeding when hurt. Etc. I am calm person as for my name. (Maybe only one point: when the though is about to create in my brain about mammy of my wife… I immediately have max adrenaline) Diminutive: voeteck or voetoos’
That ship had very attractive lines for a ship of its age. A ship to be proud of, I am sure.
Yes - it was our grandparents treasure and bought at great expense and whole nations effort.
We love and value it up till today!
As a Pole I would like to thank you for showing the ORP Blyskawica story.
Just when I didn't think I could respect the Poles more... Brave lads despite all history has thrown at them.
Indeed.. they’ve always been the fucked ones in history
I have the utmost respect for the poles
And I’m German
Thank you
Not despite but because of what history has thrown at us.
My father fought alongside the Blyskawica around the English Channel. He was the gunnery control officer onboard HMS Albrighton. He said the ship packed a punch and he had the greatest of praise for the crew, whom he said were very disciplined and courageous.
Thank you for that info!
Great stuff. Is there likely to be a video on the Piorun? Much the same legendary spirit of defiance
Enormous respect for your knowledge, attitude and work, Dr. Felton.
Interesting story, thanks for sharing. The Polish definitely fought on and with bravery all the way through WWII, even though their country was occupied.
Yessss! This is my favourite story. I am from the isle of wight and we have plaques and also a timeline of events on the ferry. Brave Polish men! 🇵🇱
I listened to a cracking presentation on this ship from the son of one of its officers. Exemplary record of service in WW2.
Live long Poland ! I love you.
I thank you Mark greatly for covering this topic.
Thank you Mark for this interesting episode! All the best from Poland :)
Funny feeling when dr Mark Felton makes an episode about a warship docked 20km away which you remember from the childhood.
That's a sharp looking ship!
Well, it's British built, so not surprising
@@silverhost9782 Absolutely!
It’s our beauty! Our grandparents gave an arm and a leg for it and we love and cherish it lie a greatest treasure!
Forgotten history... remarkable and fabulous heroics
Blyskawica is so close to my town, yet i did not know that!
Mark, don't ever change your intro music. The second I hear it I know I'm in for a great history video!
Let the debt we in the UK have to the servicemen of Poland, Czechoslovakia, France, Belgium and the Netherlands never be forgotten. Without these gallant people- whose countries had already been over-run by the Nazis- it is highly unlikely we would have won the Battle of Britain and as a result Operation Sealion would certainly have been launched. To all those people who served alongside us in the Second World War I salute their astonishing bravery and commitment to a free Europe; let their sacrifice always burn brightly in the history of these isles.
The UK holds the distinction of being the only nation that paid their debt to the US. So you can forget about that now. Your credit is still sterling with us!
Thank you!
Thank you for a very interesting story about ORP Błyskawica.
Greetings from Poland.
It's easy to forget that England was a war zone only a few decades ago and 2 ½ decades before I was born! I went to Uni in Southampton and lived in Woolston, just up the road from the Spitfire factory. I also sail out of Cowes. The intermittent small rows of new housing amongst the Victorian terraces are a reminder of such violence.
My grandfather served on the Blyskawica during the cold war.
Polish servicemen never cease to amaze me. Glad they’re on NATO’s side now a days!
That is one beautiful ship not only aesthetically but fought the enemy and helped rescue soldiers from Dunkirk she's magnificent
excellent video thank you
& yes the Polish are awesome!
Thank you in the name of our grandpas!
What brave Polish Sailors. I hope they got all the commendation they deserved. Bloody Heroes.
Thank you, great video as always.
There's quite fascinating story about polish submarine "Orzeł" (Eagle), that was interned in Estonia in the beginning of the WW2. The crew managed to escape and, without maps (those were confiscated), were able to reach Britain. They took two Estonian guards as hostages, and the Polish commander left them at Swedish shore, giving them money so they could return back home.
The level of badassery on display here is incredible.