In the spring of 1942, whilst back in Cowes for her refits, the ships commanding officer saw German photo reconnaissance planes and was certain they were a precursor to a full attack. Despite having some of her crew on leave and being in a decommissioned state, the Captain made sure ORP Blyskawica remained armed. His suspicions were correct and on the night of 4th May, 160 bombers arrived off Cowes. The brunt of the defence lay with Capt. Franki and the Polish officers and crew of the OPR Blyskawica. The guns fired til dawn, over 70 people died, if it wasn't for the fierce resistance of the Polish Sailors, the damage to the town would have been immense. Cowes Yacht Haven - Latest News Nice that it is still remembered.
Cowes prepares to celebrate Polish Heroes http://www.cowes.co.uk/cms/CMS/content/S634717277138058844/Blyskawica%20Events%20programme.pdf I can see Cowes across the water, from my study. Built by J S White, shipbuilders and engineers of Cowes in 1935, ORP Blyskawica (Lightning in English) was one of the fastest destroyers afloat. When war broke out in 1939 the Polish Navy joined forces with the Royal Navy and ORP Blyskawica along with ORP Grom (Thunder in English) sped from the Baltic to fight from British bases. In the spring of 1942, whilst back in Cowes for her refits, the ships commanding officer saw German photo reconnaissance planes and was certain they were a precursor to a full attack. Despite having some of her crew on leave and being in a decommissioned state, the Captain made sure ORP Blyskawica remained armed. His suspicions were correct and on the night of 4th May, 160 bombers arrived off Cowes. The brunt of the defence lay with Capt. Franki and the Polish officers and crew of the OPR Blyskawica. The guns fired til dawn, over 70 people died, if it wasn't for the fierce resistance of the Polish Sailors, the damage to the town would have been immense. As she is today a Museum ship: Another JS White built survivor:
Friends of Blyskawica ORP Błyskawica - Wikipedia ORP Błyskawica (Lightning) is a Grom-class destroyer which served in the Polish Navy during World War II. It is the only Polish Navy ship to have been decorated with the Virtuti Militari, Poland's highest military order for gallantry, and in 2012 was given the Pro Memoria Medal. Błyskawica is preserved as a museum ship in Gdynia and is the oldest preserved destroyer in the world. Błyskawica is moored next to the Dar Pomorza. She was the second of two Grom (Thunderbolt)-class destroyers built for the Polish Navy by J. Samuel White, of Cowes, in 1935–37. The Grom class were two of the most heavily armed and fastest destroyers in World War II.
