In the position Lat=72.50 and Long=05.47 E, on May 26th the four British cruisers and three destroyers left convoy. Right after that several attacks by the German torpedo-bombers took place but without success. At 1945 hours, in position Lat=74.00 N and Long= 12.00 E - no more enemy attacks
GARLAND ^
 
 
On May 27th of 1942, early morning the Germans started again with air attacks with bombers, dive-bombers and torpedo planes. GARLAND moved closer to convoy. In mean time a German submarine attacked convoy but was repelled by GARLAND. About noon this day the Germans sent a dozens of planes from nearby bases in Norway, some times a group consisted of 20 or more planes. Unfortunately the weather was fine with sunshine and calm sea. In short time they sunk 6 big ships of convoy. But critical moment for GARLAND was about 1400 hours when she was attacked by seven bombers Ju-88. Four big bombs fell some few meters her starboard near gun nr.2, explosions killed and wounded several crew members, small fires broke out but GARLAND kept a/a fire with remain guns /1st Gun.Officer.- Lieut. J.BARTOSIK/. In this time a ships surgeon Lieut W.ZABRON distinguished himself in performing operations of wounded men on the table of wardroom during this difficult situation for nearly 36 hours until ship called Murmansk.CPO - P.PLONKA filmed some fragments with his camera from mast, until he was wounded by splinter. In this day GARLAND was attacked 22 times by planes.

On May 28th, the Senior Officer of the escort group Cdr.ONSLOW passing by on board of the British destroyer ASHANTI saluted her and ordered to proceed to Murmansk leaving convoy. This was because of several damages, wounded men and short of ammunition. Few minutes before midnight GARLAND took Russian pilot and entered port. There she landed 22 killed and 32 wounded POs and Seamen.

GARLAND crew met at Murmansk rescued crew of Polish submarine JASTRZAB.

After necessary repairs GARLAND left Murmansk to, Archangels and on June 26th 1942 with another convoy PQ 13 went back to U.K. without special troubles.



BLYSKAWICA/C.O. Lieut-cdr.L.LICHODZIEJEWSKI/ resumed her duty at sea after repairs on July 20th 1942. On August 9th she was sent together with the British destroyer BROKE to help an escort of convoy SC- 94. Convoy consists of 33 transport ship and had escort of 7 warships from Canada to Great Britain. Convoy was attacked by the "Wolf Pack" of several U-boats and this time the Canadian destroyer ASSINIBOINE rammed and sunk U-210, but because of this she damaged and was forced to return to base.Other escort ships damaged two nore U-boats but one freighter was sunk.On August 8th, "Wolf Pack" resumed attacks on this convoy : 5 freighters were sunk and crews of 3 freighters left their ships in panic into lifeboats. Later crews of 2 freighters came back to their ships but 3rd was torpedoed and sunk.

In this situation arrived BROKE and later BLYSKAWICA .Third attack of "Wolf Pack" was repelled and the British corvette DIANTHUS rammed and sunk U-379.Then British Admiralty sent as an air support big bombers Liberator from Ireland and American flying boats Catalina from Iceland. On August 10th 1942 came another attack from 'Wolf Pack"- they fired altogether dozens of torpedoes and sunk more 4 freighters. Next days and nights escort kept convoy without losses. At last the convoy arrived to U.K. ports on 13th August. Unfortunately this convoy lost 11 ships - 53.000 BRT. In this attacks took part 17 U-boats, 2 were sunk, 4 damaged.

Later on BLYSKAWICA took part in 17 patrols and convoys including the big British passenger ships used as Troop-carriers .

According to the relation of Lieut. T.LESISZ - Second Gunnery Officer BLYSKAWICA:

In second half of 1942 hundred thousands of American and Canadian troops were transported to U.K. with huge passenger liners called "Monsters" like British QUEEN ELISABETH /84.000 tons/, QUEEN MARY /81.000 tons/, French PASTEUR etc. They crossed Atlantic without escort having speed about 30 knots and zigzagging against eventual U-boat attacks. Somewhere 200 miles west of Ireland they were met with strong escorts until they entered safely home.

On October 2nd 1942, BLYSKAWICA ,the British a/a cruiser CURACAO and two "HUNT"-class destroyers took part in escorting the QUEEN MARY. The weather was very good, sunshine almost no wind and calm sea. Suddenly Leading Seaman WITKOWSKI reported submarine! Every one on bridge looked there but instead they saw a two part..... of the cruiser CURACAO floating on surface who was cut in two by QUEEN MARY. Captain LICHODZIEJEWSKI at once alarmed others destroyers to rescue survivors, but BLYSKAWICA continued escort of fast QUEEN MARY to the port. Only one Officer and 90 Seamen were rescued from crew of 420 officers and men. It was a fault of this young officer on watch who came too close to QUEEN MARY. Such big passengers ships /"Monsters"/ transported in 6 months from America/Canada to U.K. nearly 200.000 troops.



KUJAWIAK /C.O.Lieut-Cdr.L.LICHODZIEJEWSKI/ took part in the Operation HARPOON or the convoy to Malta at the Mediterranean. On June 5th 1942, she and 3 British destroyers left Londonderry/Irland/ and joined Force T with special convoy WS 9 of six ships.

Force T /C-n-C Vice-Adm.CURTEIS/ consisted of 3 parts : "W" - the battleship MALAYA,the cruisers KENYA and CHARYBDIS,the aircraft carriers ARGUS, and EAGLE and 7 destroyers. "X" - The A/A cruiser CAIRO, 8 destroyers/including GARLAND/ and 4 minesweepers. "Y" - One minelayer WELSHMAN, 2 corvettes and 6 trawlers.

On June 14th about 0800 hours the convoy was sighted by the Italian plane and from that time convoy was attacked by JU-88 aircrafts several times, in spite of heavy gun fire from ships and own aircraft's from aircraft carriers. Six enemy planes were shot down by ships and seven more by aircrafts fighters. One ship was sunk and the cruiser LIVERPOOL was damaged and was towed back to Gibraltar. At evening another air attack by some 50-60 planes, but this time enemy lost 11 aircrafts and the British lost 7 fighters. Unfortunately part "W" of Force T returned to Gibraltar on 2130 hours and WELSHMAN having speed about 40 knots left alone to Malta.

On June 15th about midnight, remaining ships passed through the Italian mine fields near Pantelaria island but in the morning the Italian cruisers appeared and started shelling from distance 18.000 meters. To repel enemy, the British cruiser CAIRO and 5 destroyers moved in direction of Italian ships to close distance and to attack with torpedoes. In mean time the convoy was attacked by bombers : one tanker was hit and damaged and later sunk by own crew. One plane was shot down.Two British destroyers: BEDOUIN and PARTRIDGE were damaged by the Italian cruisers. CAIRO was hit by torpedo and KUJAWIAK happily avoided one torpedo.Then again the German bombers JU-88 damaged an American ammunition ship, sunk later by own crew. About 1415,BEDOUIN was damaged and sunk by torpedo from the Italian aircraft.

On June 16th when convoy was close to Malta about midnight some ships were sunk on Italian mines laid by aircrafts : supply ship,three destroyers including KUJAWIAK and one minesweeper. KUJAWIAK was trying to help BADSWORTH and in this manoeuvre had struck a mine and sunk on 0108 hours June 16th 1942 in position Lat=35.52,2 N and Long=14.38,5E. Seven POs and six Seamen lost lifes and 7 were wounded. Only two of six supply ships arrived safely Malta.

KUJAWIAK sailed 32.000 sea miles, had 11 patrols, 4 Atlantic convoys, 69 coastal convoys, 50 times she fought with enemy planes and shot down one plane and probably 4 more.



Many times the Polish MGB,s demonstrated their daring in fighting .On June 22nd 1942 about 0105 MGB-S2/C.O. Sub.lieut.E.WCISLICKI/ detected six German E-boats near the French coast opposite Dover.Undetected MGB-S2 placed herself between French coast and the enemy, who was in moonlight.The Polish MGB-S2 made a surprised attack with 20 mm gun and all MG,s and damaged two enemy units. Another German E-boats tried to encircle the Polish one but lost their bearings and started fire against each others.In this situation MGB-S2 withdraw to NE Varne Buoy and joined another four British MGBS.

Another time on August 1942,Poles took part in attack on the German convoy near Calais escorted by 2 patrol ships, 6 minesweepers, 9 E-boats and 4 A/A ships.The main attack was executed by British MTBs and Polish MGB-S2/ C.O. Sub.lieut.E.WCISLICKI/ and S3 /C.O. Sub.lieut.A.JARACZEWSKI/ covered this attack by artillery fire against German escort.In effect two German ships were torpedoed and Poles sank one E-boat and damaged another. Unfortunately MGB-S2 was damaged too, but managed to return to base.


Operation JUBILEE known as Raid on Dieppe was unsuccessful,dramatic in execution and tragical event. Later on, this operation was named a " Bloody Landing ".The idea behind, was to get experiences in landing on enemy coasts,to test enemy preparations against future invasion and to destroy as many as possible enemy fortifications and radar stations - then to withdraw. Gen.Mjr.J.H.ROBERTS was in charge of this operation on board of the British destroyer CALPE. Under his command were : 2 Canadian infantry regiments, 1 British commando regiment, together about 6.000 troops. The Royal Navy arranged 9 big landing troop ships, 10 tank landing ships and nearly 180 small landing crafts. Escort consisted of 8 destroyers including SLAZAK /C.O. Cdr.R.TYMINSKI/ and 2 minesweepers flotillas. Safety at sea belongs to Cdr.J.HUGHES-HALLET on board CALPE. Air screen of this operation: 67 wings of aircrafts / including 6 Polish wings/, were under command of Vice-Marshall T.L. LEIGH-MALLORY.

At the beginning of night on August 18th, this armada started the passage of English Channel. Early morning about 0300 hours,armada was a few sea miles from her objects near Dieppe.Unfortunately some landing ships met with the German small coastal convoy and exchange of gun fire started between them.The landing operation was no longer a surprise for the German shore fortifications and troops. First landing crafts approached shore late with sunrise.When landing began the Germans met them with strong artillery and machine-gun fire. Strong German air formations very soon joined the battle.

In about 15 hours SLAZAK repelled nearly 30 air attacks, shooting down 4 enemy planes, fighting shore fortifications and field guns positions /1st Gun.Officer- lieut Z.PLEZIA/, took on board 20 wounded Canadian soldiers, rescued one British pilot and 5 German seamen. One bomb exploded very near SLAZAK and caused damages to her navigation and artillery fire.Three seamen were killed and 13 wounded.About noon Gen.Mjr.J.H.ROBERTS ordered to withdraw. From total 6018 soldiers taking part in landing 1410 were killed in action and 2200 were taken as prisoners of war.On board of ships were 550 killed and wounded, moreover British Air Force lost 190 airmen.

SLAZAK arrived Portsmouth naval base same day on 1915 hours.


SLAZAK ^
 
 
On October 19th 1942 BLYSKAWICA/C.O. lieut-cdr.L.LICHODZIEJEWSKI acting as temporary Senior Officer/ left Greenock with the British destroyers COWDRAY and BRANHAM to Gibraltar.

BLYSKAWICA /C.O. - Lieut-cdr L.LICHODZIEJEWSKI/ took part in Operation Torch and left Gibraltar on November 1942 / Senior Officer Destroyers/ at first as escort of Force O then of convoy KMF A1 with landing troops against Algiers sector.

In spite of several German air attacks by JU-88 on November 7th, the convoy landed safely troops on November 8th about 0100 hours and sent a signal : " LANDING SUCCESSFUL IN BEER GREEN". But later BLYSKAWICA was sent to another sector of operation 110 miles East near Bougie to help the British destroyer ZETLAND damaged by aircracfts.Again landing at Bougie on November 11th about 0400 hours was successful but several air and submarines attacks on shipping were very dangerous.
 

According to the German Marine Rundschau /1942/ s.936-938 - at Bougie bay and port:

On November 12th 2 transport ships were sunk, 12 ships,1 aircraft carrier,1 cruiser and 2 destroyers were damaged.

On November 13th 1 transport ship was sunk,14 ships, 2 cruisers and 3 destroyers were damaged.
 

On November 12th about 1100 hours when BLYSKAWICA was at roadstead of Bougie with another ships, about 30 - 40 German JU-88 made an attack.In spite of heavy anti aircraft fire, one bomb exploded very close to the starboard side : 4 seamen killed and about 42 were more or less wounded including the British Liaison Officer.But fire from BLYSKAWICA did not grow weaker, the wounded gunners were being replaced by the seamen of other specialities.The ship was damaged too, having about 200 minor punctures, gun nr.4 was out of action. About 1215 hours BLYSKAWICA enter port Bougie to transfer wounded men ashore, but again in this time port was attacked by 15 German JU-88 and 3 bombs fall down into water near starboard side and one from this series exploded ashore at port side.Following this, gyro and part of electrical circuit were damaged. BLYSKAWICA left port Bougie at 1551 hours and at 1745 hours a ceremony of sea burial took place for 4 killed seamen / 2 Polish and 2 British / in position Lat=36.57 N and Long= 04.37 E.

BLYSKAWICA having speed only 5 knots arrived Algiers same day at 2228 hours.On November 13th 2020 hours she left Algiers for Gibraltar, were she arrived on November 15th 0410 hours for repairs.
 

 

An Encouter with the E-boats- as told by first Gunnery Officer ORP KRAKOWIAK-Lieut.J.TUMANISZWILI

The action I shall now relate took place in October of 1942.We were escorting a pretty large convoy we'd picked up from Milford Haven and were approaching the Eddystone Lighthouse, which marks the entrance to Plymouth/Devonport. A few minutes before 2000 hours the Commanding Officer - cmdr.J.TCHORZNICKI walked in to his way to the bridge. He said : "We just received a radio message about enemy activity in the sector we are about to enter.Please call me up as soon as you need me." A few minutes later, already on the bridge,I was in communication with the ship's artillery.I heard gun masters reporting their readiness. I also heard the short wave radioman reporting German chatter.E-boats were getting ready to attack.We fired starshells,and at the same time the radioman heard a high -pitched voice ordering a torpedo attack against the destroyer.In the yellow lights of the first starshells, I noticed a white mane on the dark surface, just as if someone with a fat white finger were making a comma sign. The enemy MTB's accelerated to attack. The C.O. ordered :"Full spead ahead !" I shouted :" Open fire!" Shortly after that ,the ship recoiled with the roar of the foregun ,located just below the bridge. Asdick reported hearings "pings" at 40 degr. and distance of half -mile ."Hard port!" - called the C.O.."Torpedo bearing 20 ! ,"Torpedo bearing 40!","Torpedo bearing 60!"- reported lookouts. To my horror,I saw fluorescent wawes moving rapiddlly on a collision course.In the yellow glow of our starshells,I could see three racing E-boats. Subconsciously I was waiting for a thunderous crash and explosion, but nothing happened.Torpedoes passed a few feet away without hitting us.Now the enemy opened fire with light artillery and machine huns.Multicolored tracers brightened up the sky line and engulfed us in a hail of bullets. In the roar of gunfire,the boom-boom of the pom-poms and excitable barking of our Oerlicons,the whistles,buzzes and cracks of bursting shells, reated an ear-splitting cacophony.Sudenly,something crashed close by. A shell exploded.We all fell flat."Are you all right ?" called C.O. getting up.I touched my legs.They were still in place.The lookout was crying, "They got me ...son of bithes...they got me ".I smelled the ominous smell of cordite and gun powder.The "guns" reported several men wounded. The noisy din suddenly stopped. The battle was over.The E-boats disappeared. One had been hit and was seen smoking.Looking astern,I saw a minesweeper sinking. It got one of the torpedoes fired at us.We circled around and picked up survivers.No other ship was hit.We radioed a request for permission to land the wounded.After that we enter Devonport with convoy."Close call,Captain" shaking his hand.I went to my cabin and could not believe my eyes. It was totally destroyed.A shell had exploded on my bunk and ruined everything. I walked towards the mess room feeling some pain in my left foot. When I removed my rubber boots,some dirty,brown blood oozed out. I was wounded and would have to be helped.Fortunately the bone was not damaged and I was permitted to go home.

KRAKOWIAK /C.O. lieut-cdr.J.TCHORZNICKI/ as Senior Officer of British TYNEDALE and 4 British MTBs left Devonport/Plymouth naval base on November 1st against German convoy near Guernsey Island. Enemy convoy consisted of 2 ships a 2000 tons each and one smaller with 4 big escort ships with guns of 100 mm and MGs.At first convoy was shelled with flares and artillery fire directed by Lieut. J. TUMANISZWILI, then attacked by MTBs. In effect one transport ship was torpedoed another was on fire but KRAKOWIAK was damaged too. One enemy shell penetrated into boiler room, hit and stick into boiler shield. But mechanic-stocker Z. WAGNER removed this shell and throw it overboard. Moreover small fire was extinguished and one PO and one seaman were wounded. On Nvomber 2nd KRAKOWIAK return to base.

From the beginning of the Atlantic convoys, Polish ships escorted convoys many times and fought effectively against the German U-BOATS.The fiercest struggles in the Atlantic took place between August 1942 and May 1943 when losses in shipping were about 600.000 tons per one month !

On October 1942 BURZA /C.O. Lieut.cdr.F.PITULKO/ took part in one convoy SC-104 from USA to UK as one of the escorting ships. Besides there were the British destroyers FAME, VISCOUNT and corvettes: British VERVAIN, Norwegian : ACANTHUS, EGLANTINE and MONBRETIA . Moreover an air cover by the British Liberators from Iceland. The German U-boats torpedoed and sunk eight ships from this convoy, but too U- 353 was sunk by destroyer FAME and three more were damaged by aircrafts and destroyer VISCOUNT.

BURZA after refit and re-armament under the command of Lieut-cdr.F.PITULKO joined Escort Group B-3. Her first duty was a convoy Greenock- Argentia and St.Johns /New Foundland/ on November 11th 1942. She arrived Halifax without problems only some minor damages caused by stormy weather.Another difficulties were fuelling at sea from tanker or another big ship. At Argentia the damages were repaired by USN PRAIRIE.But

after leaving Argentia with another convoy she met THE heavy weather again and her bow was damaged, so she returned St.Johns for temporary repairs.

Norwegian Corvette ROSE ^

On December 3rd 1942,BURZA joined convoy HX 217 consisted of 33 ships going from USA to UK with escort ships : British destroyer FAME, Norvergian corvettes ROSE, EGLANTINE and POTENTILLA.This convoy was attacked by so called "Wolf Pack "- named "Panther", by four consecutive days and nights and was registered as longest ever. Fortunately only two ships were sunk and one damaged. BURZA made 8 attacks with depth charges and probably sunk one U-boat and damaged another one. A Liberator bomber attacked and sunk one U-boat. POTENTILLA attacked and probably sunk one U-boat too.

Right after this convoy, BURZA left with another convoy SC 115 on December 22nd 1942 from Greenock to Argentia /New Foundland/ again in stormy weather.Christmas holiday she spent in Argentia.

 

• Length= 110.5 m, Breadth=11.3 m, Draught= 3.8 m
• Displacement = 2725 tons
• Two boilers, two turbines= 48.000 HP
• Endurance = 5500 miles/15 knots
• Maximum speed = 33.7 knots
• Armament : Guns 6x120 mm,/Main guns have hydraulic control gears and gyro stabilizers/,4x40 mm,1x100 mm,4x20 mm
• Torpedoes 1x4x533 mm
• 2 Depth Charge Throwers, 2 Depth Charge Chutes
• Crew : 12 Officers , 195 POs and seamen

The destroyer ex-MYRMIDON was handed over to the Polish Navy at Glasgow on November 18th 1942 and called ORP ORKAN. Her first C.O. was Cdr. St.HRYNIEWIECKI and after few weeks of so called "working up" at Scapa Flow, she was sent at first to Akureiri /Iceland/ then to Plymouth.

Build by Scott,s Shipbuilding Co at Greenock in 1917 and Vickers Armstrong at Newcastle in 1918

• Displacement= 4850 tons/Standart/
• Four boilers,two turbins=40.000 HP
• Maximum speed= 29 knots
• Endurance=6.700 miles / 10 knots or 1.400/29
• Armament : Guns 5x152 mm, 1x2x102 mm, 2x4x40 mm, 3x2x20 mm, 4x1x20 mm
• Crew = 30 officers and 430 PO,s/seamen

DRAGON was transferred from Royal Navy to Polish Navy on January 15th 1943 under command of cpt.E.PLAWSKI . First months she spent in dockyards in general overhaul and re-armament, this time cdr.A.HULEWICZ was First Officer.On September 8th 1943 DRAGON left to Scapa Flow for training period called "working up".

From the relation of Lieut. Z.WEGLARZ - Torpedo Officer ORP PIORUN:

"On January 16th 1943 PIORUN /C.O. Lieut-cdr.T.GORAZDOWSKI/ and the British destroyer MUSKETEER were sent to Seydisfjord /Iceland/ as part of escort of convoy JW 52 consisted of 16 ships to Murmansk. Immediate escort consisted of 8 destroyers and 3 corvettes and 2 trawlers all under command of the British destroyer ONSLOW. Farther away nearly 50 miles ahead there are the cruisers KENT,GLASGOW and BERMUDA with few destroyers.Somewhere 100 miles North were: the battleship ANSON and one aircraft carrier with destroyers including the Polish destroyer ORKAN /C.O. Cdr.St.HRYNIEWIECKI/.This force was under the command of Admiral Bruce FRASER."

"First few days the convoy met stormy weather and one ship was forced to return to Iceland. On January 22 weather improved and first asdick contact was made with the German U-boat. Some attacks were made with depth charges without results. On January 23rd afternoon the German reconnaissance aircraft appeared and from this time escort expected enemy air attacks.On January 24th before noon snow storm covered armament partly with ice. About noon same day the convoy was attacked by 3 aircraft He-115. Two enemy were shot down by heavy anti aircraft fire from escort and ships. On January 25th afternoon six enemy torpedo-bombers tried to attack convoy but were forced to withdraw by heavy anti aircraft fire. On January 26th before noon Russian fighter-bomber came and provided air cover. The convoy JW 52 arrived at Polarnoye near Murmansk on January 27th 1943. A special British Liaison Officer for Archangelsk naval base left PIORUN. Next day during our stay at Polarnoye one Russian naval officer /commander/ visited the Polish officers."

"After two days at Polarnoye escort took another return convoy RA 52 with 11 transport ships and left Russian naval base on January 29th 1943. Up to February 1st convoy was under Russian air cover . On February 3rd one ship was torpedoed by the German U-boat and sunk, the crew was rescued. Some days after that the British Admiralty sent a warning to escort that German battleship SCHARNHORST with destroyers left base at Norway and is approaching convoy. Fortunately came another snow storm and the Germans did not find out convoy, who changed course farther North. On February 5th 1943 PIORUN and 7 British destroyers left convoy to Seydisfjord /Iceland/ then to Scapa Flow. Before this date ORKAN arrived Scapa Flow, who was in mean time with the battleship ANSON near Bear island. "


In mid February the British Admiralty organized another convoy from UK to Murmansk and again the two Polish destroyers took part : ORKAN and PIORUN. But this time in reverse : ORKAN as escort of convoy JW-53 with 28 ships and PIORUN as escort of the battleships KING GEORGE V and HOWE - screening force.

To convoy escort belonged too the cruiser SCYLLA, the small aircraft carrier DASHER with 20 planes and 15 destroyers including ORKAN. Ahead of convoy were the cruisers CUMBERLAND, BELFAST and SHEFFIELD.

At first, the troubles were not caused by the Germans,but by stormy weather,ships of convoy were unable to keep their stations and dispersed in all directions. Escort ships had plenty troubles to find them and to send to their stations. Six ships were damaged and returned to UK. Moreover two British vessels : the aircraft carrier DASHER and cruiser SHEFFIELD were damaged too and left convoy.

O.R.P. ORKAN at harbour^
 

According to the relation of Sub.lieut.A.BROWARSKI :
 

"One part of this convoy was for Murmansk and another one for Archangelsk. ORKAN escorted ships to Murmansk/Polarnoye and on February 28th her duty was over."

According to the relation of Lieut.Z.WEGLARZ :

"PIORUN left Scapa Flow with another warships /the battleships or cruisers /KING GEORGE, HOWE, BERMUDA/, moving between Orkneys, Iceland and Greenland, against eventual German raiders. But after some time, all ships were forced to withdraw to Seydisfjord because of stormy weather. Later on, PIORUN was directed to patrol various Iceland fjords against eventual German U-boats. On February 2nd 1943, PIORUN entered Eya fjord/Akureiri/ on the northern part of Iceland and anchored there for few hours. But later on, the weather changed and strong winds caused that large ice field closed entrance to the fjord. In this situation PIORUN cant leave this fjord. Unfortunately situation did not change for several days, there was short of fresh drinking water and provision. At last after nearly 3 weeks one British battleship came through ice fields and supplied PIORUN with fresh water, provision and with 3 bags of mail ! PIORUN left this fjord in wake of this battleship out to the sea. PIORUN joined screening ships, cruising near Bear island for 4 days but without any contacts with Germans.When the convoy reached Barents Sea, screening force called Seydisjord for fuel oil and back near Bear island to wait another convoy from Murmansk."

According to the relation of Sub.lieut.A.BROWARSKI :

"ORKAN joined the escort of 2 cruisers , 8 destroyers and 2 trawlers of the convoy RA-53 from Murmansk to UK on March 2nd.Convoy consisted with 10 transport ships and soon met the stormy weather. Right after storm on March 3rd, the convoy was attacked by two German formations each nine JU-87 - one ship was sunk and two planes shot down.Part of the crew was rescued by trawler.The German air bases were in 300 miles distance.When the convoy passed between Spitsbergen and Bear island about 1100 hours, the German Junkers attacked again.One ship was bombed and sunk and two planes were shot down."

"After fifth day at sea convoy met very heavy storm : heeling were up to 60 degrees and the height of waves up to 23 meters ! There was impossible to change the watches and cooking by ships galleys, position La= 76 N and Long=10 E . At night the storm abated a little and in this situation two ships were torpedoed and sunk with total loss of crews."

"After sixth day at sea on March 9th ORKAN and the other British destroyer were permitted to leave convoy and proceed to Iceland / Eyafiordhur /,where opposite small town Akureyri,they anchored. Convoy RA-53 was directed to Scotland."

According to the relation of Lieut.Z.WEGLARZ :

"Screening force : the battleships DUKE OF YORK, ANSON and 3 destroyers including PIORUN on March 8th again put at sea under Admiral FRASER . The danger was real for the Admiralty got information that the German battleship SCHARNHORST left Baltic and joined the battleship TIRPITZ in Altafjord /Norway/. This screening force was on alert by three days and was engaged in patrol of Denmark Strait /Iceland/ until convoy RA-53 passed safely then called Hvalfjord /Iceland/."

On February 16th 1943 GARLAND /C.O. Lieut.cdr.B.BISKUPSKI/ and BURZA/C.O. Lieut cdr. F.PITULKO/ took part in escort of the convoy HX 226 consisted of 25 ships for St.Johns /New Founland/ as part of escort EG.B3 . On February 21th, the convoy was attacked by the German U-boats and two ship were sunk. In mean time C.O. of escort, received urgent message from Capt.P.R.HEINEMAN, USN,who was S.O.American escort EG.A3, convoy ON 166 consisted of 63 ships,that they were attacked by "Wolf Pack". Wolf Pack-name "Ritter"/was a real danger and had 22 U-boats in ready use.

BURZA was sent with help, but GARLAND stood with convoy HX 226. On February 22nd BURZA joined convoy ON 166 and her first duty was to sink by torpedo one damaged Norwegian freighter . This was job of Sub.lieut M.WASILEWSKI - Torpedo Officer BURZA- and it was first use of torpedo by Polish destroyer in this war ! Right after BURZA attacked U-606 who happened to sink already 3 ships of this convoy. Heavy damaged U-boat surfaced and American escort ship USS CAMPBELL /C.O. Cdr.J.A.HIRSHFIELD opened artillery fire against her and later tried to ram U-boat. In this action unfortunately CAMPBELL lost propeller and cant move. Both ships were in sinking condition. The Germans sent signals SOS by light and the Americans by radio. On February 24th BURZA took on board Germans from U-606, part crew of CAMPBELL and crew of Norwegian freighter then left this convoy for St.John. The rescued Americans said later that
" BURZA was the fightingest ship we have ever seen "

BURZA arrived St.Johns/Nova Scotia/ on February 25th and GARLAND on March 1st 1943.


BURZA on Atlantic convoy^

On March 5th BURZA and GARLAND were in escort convoy HX 228 - destination U.K. As part of escort group EG.B3/S.O. cdr.TAIT/ on board of HARVESTER.

On March 10th convoy was attacked by "Wolf Pack"- /"Groupe Neuland"/. HARVESTER seeing U-444 on surface tried to ram her, but damaged her propeller and was unable to keep proper speed. The French corvet ACONIT sunk already damaged U-boat including her crew.Unfortunately damaged HARVESTER was torpedoed and sunk one hour later by another U-432. This time again C.O. of ACONIT /Lieut Levasseur/ sunk this U-boat. Polish destroyers BURZA and GARLAND made several depth charge attacks but without visual results .

Very special performance was made by ships surgeon of BURZA - lieut.A.OZEGOWSKI- in this action.He was put into raft and sailed from BURZA to ACONIT in the choppy sea and back to help some wounded and sick men.

The losses in this convoy : four ships torpedoed and sunk , moreover destroyer HARVESTER torpedoed and sunk including Cdr.TAIT. German losses : four U-boats sunk and one probably.



The Polish submarine DZIK /C.O. Lieut-cdr.B.ROMANOWSKI/ spotted one big tanker near Spartivento /Mediteranean Sea/ on May 24th and fired four torpedoes from distance 800 metres.Two torpedoes hit tanker and a big fire broke out. Immediately after that DZIK was attacked by Italian escort with about 58 depth charges.According British aircraft the tanker was badly damaged and on fire. But later, the fire was extinguished and tanker was towed to nearby Messina.

DZIK left Malta on June 8th and after four days near Messine at evening spotted transport/passenger ship of 4000 tons. Salvo from distance 3000 m was well aimed, two torpedoes hit and ship immediately sank. Her escort at first started to rescue the crew and later attacked DZIK with 12 depth charges. No damages were recorded and ship returned base /Malta/ on June 22nd 1943.



On June 4th 1943 BURZA/C.O.Lieut.cdr.F.PITULKO/ left Greenock/Scotland/ as escort one convoy to Freetown/Siera Leone- West Africa/.The convoy arrived there without troubles on June 23rd. Then BURZA took part in some convoys to Lagos /Nigeria/ and Matadi /Congo/. On July 28th BURZA left Freetown with the convoy to UK. She arrived Greenock on August 19th .



PIORUN and 7 British destroyers took part in escorting the battleships NELSON, RODNEY and the aircraft carrier INDOMITABLE from Scapa Flow to Gibraltar, on June 17th 1943.The fleet arrived Gibraltar on June 23rd. Later on PIORUN joined escort group for the battleship WARSPITE and the aircraft carrier FORMIDABLE on June 28th and on June 30th they arrived Algiers. Above mentioned British ships left to Alexandria and PIORUN left to ex-French naval base at Mers-el-Kebir /N.Africa/ where she joined the Fourth Destroyers Flotilla and escorted the battleships KING GEORGE and HOWE to Gibraltar.



The Operation "HUSKY" - invasion of Sicily, was the first operation from the sea on such a big scale.First thing was landing of Allied troops on three small islands between Tunesia and Malta : Pantellaria, Lampedusa and Linosa, in order to destroy artillery positions and to have there air fields and supply depots.The Allied land forces were about 160.000 - British, Canadians and Americans ready in ports of Mediterranean Sea. They had in disposition :1645 British and 945 American transport ships C-in C. of this operation was the US Gen.D.EISENHOWER, the British Gen.H.ALEXANDER was in charge of all land troops, the British troops were under command of the British Gen.B.L.MONTGOMERY and the American troops were under command of the US Gen.G.S.PATTON.

Admiral B.RAMSAY was C-in-C of British ships screening transports of troops, Gen. B.L. MONTGOMERY on landing east coast and American ships screening transports of troops Gen G.S.PATTON, on southern coast were under command of US Vice-Admiral H.K.HEWITT.

For this operation were : 6 battleships, 2 aircraft carriers, 14 cruisers, 3 monitors, 80 destroyers /including 3 Polish and 6 Greek/, 36 escorts, 34 minesweepers, 26 submarines / including 2 Polish and 1 Dutch/, 5 gunboats /including 2 Dutch/, 1 minelayer, 7 special ships for staffs, 58 auxiliary ships, 319 big and 715 small landing crafts.Altogether were used 2590 ships / 282 man's of war and 2308 landing and transport ships/.C-in-C of this armada was Admiral A.CUNNIGHAM.

Air support belongs to the 113 British and 146 American wings, altogether about 4000 aircrafts various types and destinations. C-in-C of this air armada belongs to the British Air Marshal A.TEDDER.

The Polish ships took part in this operation as follows: PIORUN/Cdr.St.DZIENISIEWICZ/,SLAZAK /Cdr.R.TYMINSKI/, KRAKOWIAK /C.O. Lieut-cdr.W.MARACEWICZ./, SOKOL /Lieut-cdr.J.KOZIOLKOWSKI/ and DZIK /Lieut.cdr.B.ROMANOWSKI/

At first, the Polish submarines SOKOL and DZIK started patrols near the Italy naval bases Messine and Taranto in the first days of June 1943. Patrols were very difficult because of Italian and German aircrafts.



On July 4th 1943 the Polish Prime Minister and C-in-C Polish Forces abroad gen.W.SIKORSKI lost his life while his plane crashed right after start into the sea at Gibraltar.



On July 8th 1943 ORKAN/C.O. Cdr.St.HRYNIEWIECKI/ took on board the coffin with body of Gen.Wl.SIKORSKI and left Gibraltar. ORKAN arrived Plymouth at evening July 10th, the coffin was transported ashore and burried at Newark on July 16th 1943 in cemetery of the Polish airmen.



According to the relation of Lieut.Z.WEGLARZ- Torpedo Officer PIORUN :

"PIORUN /C.O. Cdr.St.DZIENISIEWICZ/was on anchor in MERS-el-KEBIR the French naval base near Algiers on July 4th when about 1200 hours came signal from the admiral ship that all ships at port should lower their flags half-mast in order to honour the death of the Commander in Chief of Polish Forces- General W.SIKORSKI."

"On July 6th 1943 PIORUN arrived to Algiers and there joined to task Force H - with C-in-C Admiral CUNNINGHAM. At Algiers Admiral called all commanding officers of this task force for briefing . When Cdr.DZIENISIEWICZ came back,let us known that PIORUN is assigned as escort of the battleships during invasion of Sicily."

"For PIORUN this operation started at night July 10th 1943, state of sea was 4-5 what proved to be not so good for infantry in landing crafts. The battleships and cruisers fired salvo after salvos to destroy the Italian shoare batteries and other fortifications. Meanwhile heavy bombers from North Africa bombarded the enemy. Impatient Admiral CUNNINGHAM left at sea his flagship to one British destroyer who passed us with high speed with admirals flag towards Sicily coast. We know the actual situation during this invasion from frequent radio reports and also from the German radio in english language. I remember for example a warning : "Invasion forces will be drown in their own blood ". In spite of this Allied forces proceed according plan but during the first days and nights fighting was very heavy. The American and the British troops slowly going ahead . PIORUN moved alongside of eastern coast of Sicily through ports Syracuse, Augusta and Catania to the North."

"On July 15th PIORUN was sent to the West as additional escort of the British aircraft carrier INDOMITABLE who proceed to Malta. During night July 16th 1943 she was torpedoed in surprised air attack. This happened because enemy plane was misleaded with her plane who after patrol against enemy submarines was about to land on INDOMITABLE. In effect aircraft carrier got list and in this state returned Malta. Italian plane was shot down by gun fire of PIORUN and another British destroyer nearby."

"After few days at Malta PIORUN left with some light cruisers and destroyers in direction of west coast of Kalabria. During night of July 21st 1943 this force arrived near the city Crotone. There factories of ammunition and armament were bombarded by ships guns nearly half an hour. Fires broke out.It was a complete surprise attack, no Italian reaction at all. Because the Italian naval base Taranto was nearby so our units withdraw with maximum speed back to Malta. Again PIORUN joined Force H."



SLAZAK /C.O. Cdr.R.TYMINSKI/ and KRAKOWIAK /C.O. Cdr.W.MARACEWICZ/ took part as artillery support of landing troops at night and next day on the eastern coast of Sicily.The enemy air attacks were not successful against ships and landing crafts, but more troubles were from rough sea and breakers.

At evening July 10th the British units took Syracuse and started towards Augusta and Catania. Same problems had the American troops in southern coast of Sicily, but later they moved North toward Palermo. Syracuse and Catania were the main supply ports for the British and there were the Polish destroyers SLAZAK and KRAKOWIAK as anti aircrafts defence.

Allied troops fought not only with the Italians but also with the German forces from which they encountered a stiff resistance. Despite for all that, allied troops on August 17th 1943 entered Messine and after 38 days of fighting Sicily was conquered. Nearly 150.000 Italians and Germans were taken as prisoners of war. Some 12.000 of enemy soldiers and about 19.000 of Allied soldiers were killed or wounded. Eight Italian submarines were sunk and three U-boats. Allied losses at sea : sunk - 9 freighters, 5 landing crafts, 1 destroyer,1 minesweeper, damaged - 1 aircraft carrier, 2 cruisers, 1 monitor, 2 destroyers and 3 freighters.



According to the relation of Lieut.Z.WEGLARZ :

"During consecutive nights Force H the battleships NELSON,RODNEY,VALIANT,the cruiser ORION and some destroyers including PIORUN moved into the Strait of Messine and bombarded Italian shore batteries and other fortifications with their main guns. One shell of above mentioned battleships had about one ton of weight ! Next time again were the battleships WARSPITE and VALIANT with some destroyers including PIORUN . Later on PIORUN took part of the Force K : the cruisers MAURITIUS and ORION and destroyers of 24th Destroyers Flotilla in order to support with artillery fire the landing of the British troops at Reggio di Calabria, but it was not necessary."

"On September 3rd PIORUN took part in invasion of Italy in Operation BAYTOWN near Reggio and Pelaro. The operation started with bombardment by heavy bombers from Africa and shelling by hundreds of field artillery from Sicily, the battlerships and cruisers from sea for some hours. Then big armada of landing crafts from Sicily started towards main land. But it was no opposition because Italian and German withdraw in mean time to better positions."

Few days after that Italy announced armistice - but not Germans.

Because of mountainous character of a region,Allied progress was slow and difficult. To outmanoeuver German troops Allied landed at Salerno beachheads on September 9th 1943 in Operation AVALANCHE .The troops consisted of 5th American Army and some British and Canadian divisions. Landing was screened by Southern Attack Force under command of US Rear-Adm.HALL. Northern Attack Force consisted of the British ships.But German counter attacked on land with support of artillery and aircrafts. Situation of landing troops was critical and in this time the British Fleet saved the situation.

The British special force consisted of 6 battleships /NELSON, RODNEY, KING GEORGE, HOVE, WALIANT and WARSPITE/, 2 Fleet aircraft carriers / ILLUSTRIOUS, FORMIDABLE/, 5 escort aircraft's carriers/HUNTER,BATTLER,STALKER,ATTACKER,UNICORN/ monitor/ROBERTS/, 10 British cruisers, 3 US cruisers, and about 60 destroyers including PIORUN, SLAZAK and KRAKOWIAK !

From the relation of Lieut.Z.WEGLARZ - Torpedo Officer PIORUN:

"It was maybe the biggest artillery duel between shore batteries and ships at sea opposite Salerno beachheads. PIORUN was forced several time to withdraw farther away because of very near misses. Moreover German attacked with strong formations of dive bombers and also with rocket-bombs guided by radio. Such a rocket-bomb damaged battleship WARSPITE not far from PIORUN and SLAZAK, damaged US cruiser SAVANNAH, HMS UGANDA, British destroyers LOYAL, NUBIAN. Of course the Polish destroyers took part in shelling enemy position ashore, fighting with enemy aircrafts and submarines. On September 9th PIORUN made 6 depth charge attacks and this time probably one enemy submarine was sunk."

On September 16th 1943 PIORUN and 3 British destroyers came to Augusta /Sicily/ and on September 23rd they escorted monitor ROBERTS to Malta naval base.

Meanwhile the Italian fleet surrounded and proceed to Malta between September 10-21th

On September 26th after long and bloody fighting German withdraw from Salerno and some ships were directed into another operations. Allied forces win the battle with loss of about 7.000 British and 5.000 Americans.

From the relation of Lieut.Z.WEGLARZ - Torpedo Officer PIORUN:

"PIORUN and the British destroyer QUAIL were sent on September 27th 1943 to Brindisi as an escort for the Italian light cruiser SCIPIONE AFRICANO were was King of Italy EMMANUEL, marshal BADOGLIO with Italian government going Malta to sign agreement of peace.Speed of this unit was about 32 knots ! On September 29th 1943 this unusual unit arrived La Valetta."



DZIK/C.O.Lieut-cdr.B.ROMANOWSKI/ and 3 British submarines from Tenth Submarine Flotilla /Malta/ were sent to Genoa bay against enemy shipping,on September 15th 1943. DZIK took position near port Bastia /Corsica/ and about noon on September 21st torpedoed two ships but immediately after that was attacked by 3 Mbs. After 3 hours later when attacks were over it was found that radio station and log were damaged. Next day DZIK torpedoed a barge with torpedo with "zero depth" setting - successfully. Then again two barges ! Having no more torpedoes DZIK return to Bizerta and later left to Malta naval base on September 28th. Altogether DZIK sunk 2 ships = 10.000 tons, 3 big landing crafts=2.000 tons, 4 barges= 1000 tons and 1 tugboat.



ORKAN /C.O. Cdr.St.HRYNIEWIECKI/ after period of "working up" at Scapa Flow on September 21st 1943, was directed to Support Group EG 107 operated in North Atlantic against "Wolf Packs" of U-BOATS.To this group belong the British destroyers MUSKETEER, ORIBI and ORWELL. On September 29th, ships left Londonderry /Ireland/ at midnight to met convoy ONS 19 . After escorting this convoy to Hvalfjord /Iceland/, Support Group was directed to another convoy going West, because a strong U-boats "Wolf Pack" / Rossbach/ was reported.

Convoy was met on October 3rd 1943 and going North into this dangerous area. When ORKAN was in position Lat=59.20 N and Long=041.13 W she was again directed to met another convoy SC 143 from Canada. Convoy was met on October 6th in position Lat=45.40 N and Long= 033.10 W. At evening ORKAN received a warning that near this convoy is about 30 U-boats.About 2245 hours some hundred meters astern exploded one torpedo.

On October 7th about 0045 hours MUSKETEER sighted U-boat and later ORKAN too.They fired flares and started depth charge attacks. According German sources it was U-758 who escaped. Same day at evening convoy ships reported some U-boat on surface at 12 miles distance. Investigation by Support Group brought no results.

On October 8th about 0601 ORKAN found with radar U-boat in bearing 180 and immediately reported this to MUSKETEER. In this time one explosion occurred astern.Then when ORKAN started to turn about 0603 hours, a torpedo hit the ship port side near gun nr.4. Ammunition in powder magazine exploded, bottom fuel tanks were ripped open and fuel set on fire. Only one officer left alive - Lieut-cdr.St.POHORECKI and very few crew members. Several crew members died in cold water of hipertermia, because MUSKETEER arrived with assistance in about one hour time late, fearing eventual another torpedo attack. Although she did not lower life boats into the sea but 2 officers and 5 seamen of MUSKETEER jumped into water and helped those Polish men who has not enough strength.This was example of great courage and devotion in the name of solidarity the British and Polish seamen .

ORKAN was sunk October 8th 1943 at 0603 hours in few minutes, in position La=56.08 N and Long=027.05 W with loss of lives : Cdr. St.HRYNIEWIECKI, Lieut-cdr.M.ROZANSKI, Lieut. W.PRYFKE, Sub.lieut.L.DAAB, Sub.lieut.A.PILARZ, Sub.lieut.E.SOPOCKO, Lieut-cdr.eng. St.PIERZCHLEWSKI, War.Off.eng.J.GRZONKA, Sub.lieut.J.FAJKOWSKI, Sub.lieut.surgeon E.KIELBINSKI, War.Off.deck M.GALLAS, Sub.lieut.M.DRABINSKI, midshipmen J.KWASNIEWSKI, E.WOZNICKI.Moreover 166 PO,s and Seamen.

MUSKETEER rescued :Lieut-cdr. St.POCHORECKI, 39 PO,S and Seamen and 3 British Seamen - all from ORKAN, who was sunk by U-379 with a new device : electric torpedo with hydro-accustic guiding system.



Between October 1st and 10th PIORUN and another British destroyers took part in patrols at Adriatic Sea near Yugoslavian coast from their new bases : Brindisi and Bari.

Force EG.8 consisted of 6 destroyers including BURZA and GARLAND arrived to port Angra/ Terceira-Azores/ on October 8th 1943 to protect new British air fields on the islands Fayal and Terceira, received temporary from Portugal. It was Operation ALACRITY .Their duties were patrolling Atlantic near Azores against German U-boats. From now the British long distance planes had landing at Azores from New Foundland and back. This was disastrous in effect to U-boats operating there. In two first months Germans lost 25 U-boats in so called Atlantic Gap.On November 5th 1943 BURZA and GARLAND returned to Gourock/Scotland/.



The islands of Aegean Sea were still occupied by German land and air forces, therefore were dangerous to Allied shipping in this area.

DZIK /C.O. Lieut.A.KLOPOTOWSKI/ left Malta on October 11th 1943 on patrol of Aegean Sea near islands Levitha and Kalimos then between islands Amargos and Anafi to block port at Kos island. Later on DZIK returned to new submarine base at Beirut / First Submarine Flotilla/ on October 26th.

KRAKOWIAK /C.O.Lieut-cdr.W.MARACERWICZ/ left Alexandria with two British destroyers on October 28th, then joined the cruiser AURORA with object to patrol western shores of Turkey. But in few hours later this unit was attacked by 12 German JU-88 , bombs exploded very near AURORA and KRAKOWIAK but caused no damages.

SOKOL/C.O. Lieut-cdr.J.KOZIOLKOWSKI/ left Beyrut in first days of November and joined other submarines on patrol of Aegean Sea. On November 11th SOKOL spotted the German two mast schooner,she surfaced on started gun fire, when crew abandoned this ship, C.O .SOKOL sent there a Boarding Party with Sub.lieut.R.FRITZ ,Sub.lieut.O.GLINSKI and A.B.Seamen J.DASZKIEWICZ, J.FUSIARSKI, in order to sunk this ship with high explosives. Later, when Boarding Party returned SOKOL submerged. Next day they stopped and sunk with artillery fire one cutter, the crew : 2 Greek and 2 German were taken on board. On the evening November 18th NE the coast of Crete, SOKOL sunk with gun fire and torpedo one German schooner with the German troops. Part of crew and soldiers were evacuated ashore. In the next bay SOKOL sunk another schooner in spite of R-boot who attacked SOKOL .

KRAKOWIAK left Alexandria with destroyer PETARD on November 7th 1943 having on boards British troops for the islands Leros and Samos. In mean time joined the cruiser PENELOPE and destroyer ROCKWOOD. This unit anchored in small bay Mandalaya /western coast of Turkey/ were troops were transferred to British MTB,s . At evening the destroyers left for patrol south of islands Amorgos and Levitha. On November 10th 1943 KRAKOWIAK and PETARD after midnight took part in bombardment of port Levitha occupied by the German.Then near port Kalimnos KRAKOWIAK damaged by gun fire one ship who was sunk later by ROCKWOOD. But this time German counter-attacked with another "Wunder Waffe": glider bombs. ROCKWOOD was hit and damaged and was towed by PETARD. Altogether during that night on November 11th the unit was attacked 14 times ! Next day about noon KRAKOWIAK and PETARD came back to Alexandria.

PIORUN /C.O. Cdr. St.DZIENISIEWICZ /the British destroyers TYRIAN, GREENVILLE and the US-destroyer TUMULT left Augusta /Sicily/ on November 8th 1943 in order to support the American 5th Army bombardment enemy positions near Gate,North of Neapol. Meanwhile the destroyers patrolled sea coast from islands Ischia and Capri. At night PIORUN spotted two Italian MTBs. PIORUN started with flare lights and gun fire, but enemy left with very great speed towards shore, then our unit returned to Neapol.

On the November 26th SLAZAK /C.O. Cdr.R.TYMINSKI/ as Senior Officer of escort convoy from Gibraltar to Levant. Another ships were 3 British destroyers,1 Greek destroyer, 4 US-destroyers and the British a/a cruiser COLOMBO. In this convoy were 12 transport ships with troops and supplies. Convoy was attacked by the German aircrafts very soon at afternoon by 6 He-177 and Do-217 with glider bombs then with torpedoes. Altogether this day convoy was attacked 10 times ! Some splinters of exploding bombs damaged SLAZAK radar and a/a gun 40 mm .Only one ship was sunk but 550 soldiers were rescued 550 soldiers. Next day again 15 aircrafts Ju-88 attacked convoy with bombs. From splinters 4 Polish seamen were injured and later on November 30th were transferred to KRAKOWIAK who joined them and left for Tobruk. On December 1st 1943 convoy arrived Alexandria.

In February 1944 GARLAND /C.O. Cdr.B.BISKUPSKI / with the British destroyer MALCOLM took part part in convoy to Takoradi / Ghana / then to Georgetown /Ascension Island /. After that came back to Freetown on February 17th 1944.

On April 8th GARLAND arrived at Neapol and took part in Operation SHINGLE with another Allied ships in Anzio and Nettuno to support landing of American 5th Army. Allied ships were under command of the American Rear-Adm. J.P.LUCAS and consisted of 4 cruisers, 24 destroyers, 2 gunboats, 2 anti aircraft's ships, 2 submarines and 43 minesweepers. For transport of 50.000 soldiers with equipment's were used 8 big transport ships, 244 landing crafts and 48 others. They met later with stiff resistance of the German and fighting lasted up to mid of May. During this time Germans used at sea special electric torpedoes with divers /Negro/. The German aircrafts sunk the British cruiser SPARTAN and destroyers JANUS, INGLEFIELD, then U-boat sunk the cruiser PENELOPE.



After refit at Gibraltar BURZA/ C.O. Lieut-cdr.- F.PITULKO/ left this base on February 6th 1944 in order to join a convoy MKS 38 and SL 147 from Azores to U.K. BURZA joined escort group B 3 under the command of Cdr F.J.WALKER. At night from 8 to 9th convoy was attacked by "Wolf Pack", but this time the German lost 6 U-boats

On February 24th BURZA left Moville with convoy KMS 43 to Gibraltar and OS 69 to West Africa . BURZA arrived Gibraltar on March 7th 1944 and two days later came SLAZAK and KRAKOWIAK.

On March 14th evening convoy SNF 17 left Neapol to Oran with escort : SLAZAK /C.O. Cdr.R.TYMINSKI/ as Senior Officer and KRAKOWIAK/C.O. Lieut-cdr.W.MARACEWICZ/,destroyers CATTERICK, MENDIP, CRETE and cruiser DELHI. Near Bougie on March 17th convoy was attacked by U-boats,according German sources U-371 sunk one troop-ship DEMPO /Displacement 17.000 tons/ and another freighter. SLAZAK confirmed that two ships of this convoy were torpedoed. Then convoy was again attacked but this time by the German aircraft Ju-88 without success. On March 18th convoy arrived Mers-el-Kebir /ex-French naval base at Oran/.



PIORUN in Operation TUNGSTEN - According information's from agents the TIRPITZ German super-battleship/sister ship of BISMARCK/ damaged by British midget submarine X-6 on November 20th 1943 was already repaired. Therefore British decided to attack her again but this time with aircrafts. To do this job were established two task forces :

The 1st - consisted of 6 aircraft carriers with escort of 10 destroyers.

The 2nd- consisted of the battleships ANSON and DUKE of YORK, one cruiser and four destroyers including PIORUN /C.O. Lieut-cdr.T.GORAZDOWSKI/. In mean time at sea there were two convoys to and from Murmansk.

Above mentioned task forces left Scapa Flow about noon on March 30th. On April 1st 1944 PIORUN and JAVELIN got order to escort two tankers to position Lat.= 74.12 N and Long= 006.25 E .They arrived there on April 3rd.

Relation according to the Lieut-Z.WEGLARZ - Torpedo Officer and P.O. K.GORLACH from PIORUN

"The weather was excellent, sunshine, no wind and calm sea. Our radio receivers were on, for news passed constantly from the aircraft carriers near the enemy occupied shores of Norway. At 0415 hours 42 Barracuda torpedo bombers made a surprise attack on the German battleship TIRPITZ anchored in Kaa Fjord /part of Alten Fjord/. Most of the German planes were on patrols looking for Murmansk convoys. The German a/a shot down only 4 British bombers but the TIRPITZ was hit 23 times with 500 kgs bombs. Bombs made considerable damages in the battleship super structure, killing 122 and wounding 316 crew members. In effect the TIRPITZ was unable to move for another 3 months. On April 7th PIORUN and JAVELIN returned to Scapa Flow."

"One week later PIORUN took part again in the operation TUNGSTEN on April 13th, but because of bad weather and visibility when Task Forces where in position Lat=61.08,5 N and Long=001.01 W - operation was cancelled."

Once again the British tried to attack TIRPITZ on April 21st 1944 but same situation occurred and operation was called off . PIORUN took part as escort of aircraft carriers. On April 26th attack was made early morning when planes started 0445 hours and returned 0700 hours. Four enemy ships were sunk or damaged and one auxiliary vessel. Lost 1 torpedo-bomber Barracuda and 4 fighter planes.

Operation CROQUET started on May 3rd when following ships left Scapa Flow in order to attack the German convoys alongside Norway : The Fleet aircraft carrier FURIOUS and the Escort aircraft carrier SEARCHER with the cruiser BERWICK and two group of destroyers. First group was WIZARD /Senior Officer/ and WAKEFUL.Second group was BLYSKAWICA/C.O. Cdr.K.NAMIESNIOWSKI-Senior Officer/, PIORUN /C.O.-Cdr.T.GORAZDOWSKI/, Canadian ALGONQUIN.

On May 6th 1944 0700 hours in position Lat=64.00 N and Long=005.10 E the British 18 Barracuda/9 bombers and 9 torpedo/, 20 Martlet,Hellcat and Seafire fighters attacked the German convoy and sunk 2 big ships, damaged one tanker and two other freighters. Moreover they shot down two German sea- planes and lost two Barracuda.This force returned to Scapa Flow on May 7th.

Operation POTLUCK started on May 12th from Scapa Flow with the aircraft carriers EMPEROR and STRIKER and escort consisted with the cruisers ROYALIST, SHEFFIELD and two group of destroyers : First group was ONSLOW /Senior Officer/, URSA and WAKEFUL. Second group was BLYSKAWICA/Senior Officer/, PIORUN and OBEDIENT. On May 14th in position Lat=65.19 N and Long=008.46 E started first group of aircraft's and came back after about two hours. Then next day on May 15th in position Lat=63.18 N and Long=004.50 E started second group of aircraft's. Altogether they sunk one freighter and damaged three small ships and some minesweepers. They shot down too 4 German He-115 and damaged one FW-200. One own aircraft did not returned back.This force returned to Scapa Flow on May 16th 1944.

BURZA after her long duty at sea was sent to West Hartlepool docks /Newcastle/for general refit, most crew was disembarked and ship was put into reserve on May 9th 1944.

BURZA sailed 98750 sea miles, took part in 45 operations/patrols, escorted 14 ocean convoys and 25 offshore convoys, 17 times attacked U-boats sunk one and damaged 4 U-boats, 19 times was attacked by enemy aircrafts and shot down 2 planes. 3 times bombarded enemy shore positions and rescued about 500 shipwrecked persons, 3 times she was severely damaged.

After the war BURZA was towed in 1951 from U.K. to Poland and later on May 31st 1960 she was first Polish Naval Museum at Gdynia.

Operation OVERLORD was a cryptonym for invasion of France and Operation NEPTUN was the name for supporting this by Allied Navies. C-in-C of whole operations was US General D.EISENHOVER, C-in-C of the land forces was the British General Sir Bernard MONTGOMERY, C-in-C of sea operation was the British Admiral Sir Bertrand RAMSAY and C-in-C of Air Force was the British Air Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh Mallory. Operation OVERLORD and NEPTUNE were the biggest ever made by combined forces.

General D.D.EISENHOVER on May 8th 1944 decided that day of invasion of the France - D-DAY- will be Monday June 5th 1944. But because of bad weather he changed D-DAY for Tuesday June 6th.

Before the invasion, in Great Britain were concentrated 23 division of infantry, 10 armoured divisions and 4 divisions of paratroops.There were 18 American, 14 British, 3 Canadian, 1 French and 1 Polish divisions. The Air armada consisted of 4 air armies altogether 10.860 fighting aircrafts, 2300 transport aircrafts and 2600 transport gliders. The Naval armada consisted of 1213 various fighting ships and about 4100 various landing crafts. Altogether on the British soil were ready nearly 2,880.000 troops.

During the Operation NEPTUNE following Polish ships took part : SLAZAK, KRAKOWIAK and DRAGON in attacking the enemy shore batteries,fighting with MTB.s ,aircrafts and supporting landing crafts by gun fire. BLYSKAWICA and PIORUN joined the 10th Destroyer Flotilla ready to protect from the West Allied landing, against the German ships.

On June 5th about midnight a heavy air raid by Allied bombers took place against the enemy fortifications, rail and road junctions, bridges and railway stations from Cherbourg to Le Havre in Normandy.Then on June 6th about 0130 hours 3 parachute divisions /American and British/altogether 24.500 soldiers with guns and equipment landed beyond German fortifications causing big confusion in the German defense lines.They used for this action 2395 planes /transport and combat/ and 867 gliders.Once again at dawn another heavy air raid against German shore fortifications was made by 1136 British and 1083 American heavy bombers escorted by 2.000 fighters - nearly 7.600 tons of bombs were dropped.

In mean time big armada of ships closing in with the minesweepers in front line, then the battleships,cruisers and destroyers took their position, according sectors provided for them /Western sectors for the Americans : Utah, Omaha and Eastern sectors for the British : Gold, Juno, Sword /. The American sectors were supported by US battleships NEVADA, ARKANSAS and TEXAS moreover the crusers US AUGUSTA, TUSCALOSA, VINCENNES and QUINCY with others smaller ships. The British sectors were supported by British battleships NELSON, RODNEY,WARSPITE, RAMILIES, monitor ROBERTS, cruisers MAURITIUS, SCYLLA, ORION, GLASGOW, BELFAST, ENTERPRISE, FROBISHER,DANAE and Polish DRAGON. Moreover in this operation took part the French cruisers MONTCALM and GEORGES LEYGUES, the Dutch cruiser JAVA.

DRAGON ...v
 


At 0530 hours on June 6th 1944, the battleships and cruisers opened fire against the enemy shore batteries. DRAGON /C.O. Cdr. St.DZIENIESIEWICZ/ belongs to Force D : the battleships WARSPITE, RAMILIES monitor ROBERTS and the cruisers MAURITIUS, ARETHUSA, FROBISHER, DANAE and DRAGON - Their task was to destroy the German batteries in sector S /Sword/.Very soon the German torpedo-boats / T-21, MOVE, FALKE and JAGUAR/ made a torpedo attack against this ships firing a salvo of 24 torpedoes .Only the Norwegian destroyer SEVER was hit and sunk. At first DRAGON /1st Gun.Off.Lieut.cdr.J.LUKASZEWSKI,2nd Gun.Off.-lieut.T.LESZISZ/ opened fire against shore battery 105 mm Calleville sur Orne, then to battery 150 mm Trouville, then to fortifications Caen and at last against the German tanks concentration near Varaville. DRAGON,destroyed a group of 25 tanks, thanks to shore observers and their signals.

About 0600 hours the Polish destroyer SLAZAK/C.O. Cdr.R.TYMINSKI/in sector S/Sword/ and the Polish destroyer KRAKOWIAK/C.O. Cdr.W.MARACEWICZ/in sector G/Gold/ who were with landing crafts, opened fire against first lines of German shore defence together with the British destroyers. Ahead of the landing crafts were motor barges with rockets 127 mm shelling beaches from short distances.

About 0730 hours landing crafts in sector S came to beaches and fierce fighting has began.Thanks to artillery support of SLAZAK in this sector the German were forced to withdraw and C.O. of the Canadian Marines ashore sent a signal to SLAZAK:

"I think you saved our bacon.Thank you. Stand by do it again "
Afternoon SLAZAK received another message of appreciation for the effective fire against the German defenders :
"SLAZAK - fine work !"
At 0530 hours Force K consisted of the cruisers AJAX, ARGONAUT, EMERALD and ORION moreover the Dutch gunboat /3 x 150 mm/FLORES and 13 destroyers including KRAKOWIAK opened fire against German shore batteries in sector G /Gold/. About noon beachhead was conquered but with heavy losses of commandos.

Results of D-Day were favourable : The American and the British troops established footholds an enemy shores about 5-10 km deep and 10-30 km wide. Moreover in spite of rough sea nearly 133.000 troops landed, in sectors Sword,Juno,Gold.They received 6.000 various transport ships with 900 tanks and armoured cars, 240 field guns, 80 a/a guns, 280 a/tank guns and about 4300 tons of ammunition and supplies. Similar amount of armament and ammunition received the American sectors. Losses : British and Canadians - 4.300 soldiers and Americans about 6.000 .

Next two days SLAZAK and KRAKOWIAK supported with their guns Allied troops ashore according air or land observers who were correcting shelling by radio signals.
 


The Longest Day " - invasion of Europe by Allied Forces^
 
DRAGON during invasion of Normandy, between June 12th and 18th fired together 1297 shells of her 152 mm guns against German ashore.

After short refit at Portsmouth the Polish cruiser DRAGON /C.O. Cdr.St.DZIENISIEWICZ/ joined force CS 10 /BELFAST/ on July 7th 1944. According instruction from BELFAST she was anchored in position La=49.22,2 N and Long= 000.21,9 W at 2345 hours.

On July 8th at 0427 hours DRAGON was torpedoed by so called "human torpedo"/Neger or Ein-Man-Torpedo/. In effect one officer /Sub.lieut.K.MARKS/ and 37 PO.s and Seamen were killed and 17 wounded.

About 0520 hours arrived corvette "KIII" and later tugboat AL-PEQUIANCE and towed DRAGON to sector JUNO where she joined artificial port Mulberry. On July 15th remaining crew left the ship and on July 16th 1944 DRAGON name was taken off the books of the Polish Navy.

The Landing operations in Normandy was protected at sea against eventual German surprise attack from West by 10th Destroyer Flotilla /S.O.-Captain B.JONES/. The Flotilla was composed of : 19th Division- TARTAR /D/, ASHANTI, HAIDA, HURON and 20th DivisionBLYSKAWICA /D/, ESKIMO, PIORUN, JAVELIN.

Air reconnaissance before dusk on 8th June had shown four enemy ships proceeding to the NE from Brest.These were 2 large destroyers of Narvik Class / 5x150 mm guns and 8 torpedoes/, 1 ex-Dutch destroyer / 4x120 mm guns and 8 torpedoes/, 1 Elbing destroyer T24/ 4x102 mm guns and 6 torpedoes/. According orders of C-in-C Plymouth the 10th Destroyer Flotilla to sweep along a line parallel to and 20 miles from the French coast between Isle de Bas and Isle Vierge.Captain B.JONES adapted following tactic : Line Ahead for comfort and Line of Bearing for Action - in addition a manoeuvre" White Pendant" to avoid enemy torpedoes and crash into enemy for short distance battle.

According to the relation of Lieut.M.WASILEWSKI - Torpedo Officer - BLYSKAWICA

"At first the Tenth Destroyers Flotilla proceed South with 28 knots, visibility about 2.5 miles. Between Ile de Batz and Ile de Vierge they slow down to 18 knots.The flotilla being disposed with divisions in Line Ahead with 20th Division two miles to the northward of the 19th Division and a little ahead. Distance between the ships in division were 4 cables. Moreover each division executed 30 degrees zigzag from main course, against eventual U-boat attacks. In case of contact with enemy, divisions were told previously to stop zigzaging and to take a Line of Bearing. Eventual German torpedo attack were not expected at the distance more than 10.000 yards."

"About 0116 hours on June 9th 1944 TARTAR detected four units right ahead, some 10 miles away. Two minutes later BLYSKAWICA had a radar contact with enemy ships at distance 9 miles. At 0120 hours, radar reported : "Four units without identification I.F.F. are in bearing 228 and distance 9.000 yards." At 0122 hours,both divisions on order from TARTAR altered by White Pendant /35 degree. to Starboard then should followed by turn of 50 degree. to Port together/, against eventual long range enemy torpedo attack.This manoeuvre were executed by 19th Division and only partly by 20th Division caused by wrong interpretation of signal, by the British Liaison Officer . Four minutes later radio-telegraphist overheard from "Headache" - the German orders to fire torpedoes. Full German torpedo salvo was estimated as 30 torpedoes ! Distance was about 7.000 yards in mean time the range had come to 5.000 yards because of great speed .TARTAR opened fire at first with star shells then gun fire between the British and the Germans has began. Fortunately all torpedoes were avoided."

"At this time the German force disintegrated as each ship sought it own best course and fought seperately.Therefore the British flotilla was forced to split up to follow the scattering German ships. At first TARTAR and ASHANTI fired on Z-32 and ZH-1, while HAIDA and HURON engaged Z- 24 and T- 24 . Big Z- 32 was hit several times and ZH-1 was hit in boiler and was put out of action. But shortly after that Z-32 escaped North unfortunately she came under fire of 20th Division. Z-32 was seen from BLYSKAWICA for short time, thanks to star shells of the gun nr.2 at distance 5.600 y, speed about 28 knots from plot , inclination Green 090 degrees. Captain BLYSKAWICA did not tried to fire torpedoes because four torpedoes had ship were not sufficient in this distance to go home. Decision was in compliance with the opinion of Torpedo Control Officer :"

" T.C.O. should study the tactical situation so that he can advise his Commanding Officer , who may be otherwise engaged,as to the best moment for firing torpedoes and see that no opportunities are missed"

"Instead, BLYSKAWICA open fire to Z-32 from this close range /2-nd Gun.Off.- lieut.M.WOZNIAK/. Z-32 got several hits in this 12 salvos artillery fired from BLYSKAWICA and another salvos from ESKIMO. But BLYSKAWICA and later PIORUN /1st Gun.Off.-lieut. J.TUMANISZWILI/ although were under fire from Z-32 too, fortunately no one of this ship was hit and Z-32 again disappeared South. At 0133 hours BLYSKAWICA was forced to withdraw with great speed about 30 knots to East together with ESKIMO and JAVELIN because ships of 20th Division found themselves under heavy artillery fire from unknown ship. But PIORUN maintained his course 260 and speed 20 knots in direction were Z-32 disappeared. In this confusion Z-32 came near TARTAR and started fire with all guns. One shell exploded at the bridge of TARTAR , 4 men were killed and 9 wounded including captain, moreover radar and communication were damaged, boiler nr.1 was hit too. It was on 0159 hours according PIORUN log-book. ASHANTI came to rescue and fired on Z-32 with success. Z-32 withdraw in direction of Isle Vierge."

Because ZH-1 was out of action and did not moved, TARTAR and ASHANTI came closer and from distance 700 y sunk her with artillery fire and 2 torpedoes. About 0203 hours PIORUN joined BLYSKAWICA, ESKIMO and JAVELIN.

HAIDA and HURON were still pursuing Z-24 and T-24 to the westward. Meanwhile HAIDA and HURON had been outpaced by their targets, but before hitting Z-24. Shells struck chart house and W/T office and after guns were put out of action Z-24 but she manage to stranded herself in the French waters.The torpedo boat T 24 escape undamaged.

"About 0246 hours 20th Divisions met TARTAR on course North, later on HAIDA and HURON joined. Ten minutes later HAIFA observed on radar and reported on R/T unidentified ship approaching - it was ASHANTI, then again HAIDA reported on R/T about another ships - this time it was 20th Division. Thanks to several means of identifications like IFF on radar screen and others, fatal engagement between Allied ships were avoided."

"In mean time HURON got radar contact with undignified ship, fired star shells and found Z-32. HAIDA reported by R/T that enemy course was 090 degrees, therefore Allied ships steered estimated course 065 to cut Z-32 from Cherbourg area. But right after HURON corrected that course of Z-32 was 270 degrees ! BLYSKAWICA immediately turned to the West and spotted Z-32 thanks to star shells fired by HURON. Whole 20th Division open fire against Z-32 and also HURON and HAIDA then TARTAR and ASHANTI from longer distance. At last Z-32 disoriented ran firmly aground on the rocks of the Ile de Batz heavily afire."

Invasion beachheads : U-UTAH, O-OMAHA /Americans/,G-GOLD, J-JUNO, S-SWORD/British/

Destroyers battle near Isle de Batz : 19th Division - TARTAR, ASHANTI, MAORI, HURON/ British/ and 20th Division - BLYSKAWICA/Polish/,ESKIMO/British/, PIORUN/Polish/, JAVELIN/British/

Later on ,Tenth Destroyers Flotilla took part in several operations against the Germans in the western part of the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay, for example German Minesweepers Flotilla was wiped out on 14/15th June 1944 . PIORUN and ASHANTI while covering positions off the Channel Islands /Jersey/ and St.Malo unexpectedly ran into a force of seven German M-class minesweepers escorting small convoy.
 

Now according to the relation of Lieut. J.TUMANISZWILI /1STGun.Officer/: “ It was a dark night, no stars, no moonlight. Suddenly 25 minutes after midnight, a report came from Asdick Operator : ENEMY BEARING 120. Cdr.T.GORAZDOWSKI verified this by radar and said there were several echoes moving with the speed of 15 knots on course 340. He ordered to increase the speed, decided to attack with ASHANTI and gave me the order to have guns ready. We were closing rapidily , distance in yards to the enemy units by radar: 5.000 , 4.000 , and 3.500 when we recognised three ships and started the fire with starshells to illuminate the enemy. Having enemy clearly in gun sights I corrected the enemy inclination and speed, then ordered loud: FIRE WITH ALL GUNS. But German returned a heavy fire against PIORUN and ASHANTI and the battle began.Very soon two leading German ships were hit, causing explosions and fires. In the meantime PIORUN was hit too, near gun nr.4 Some ammunition was set on fire, but fortunately it was quickly extinguished. One C.P.Officer and one seaman were wounded. This time C.O.- PIORUN decided to fire its torpedoes to targets and scored one hit on 15th June 0048 hours. /Torpedo Officer -sub.lieut. L.KAWERNINSKI/. Meanwhile, the enemy ships were illuminated with starshells and gun salvos soon smashing into them. As a result M343 was sunk and 5 minesweepers left aground, ablaze or badly damaged /M412, M422, M432, M442 and M452. About 0226 hours the battle with German minesweepers was over and in the morning we were entering Plymouth-Devonport with a big Polish ensign on mast, very proud after succesfull battle.”
 

P.S.: On June 18th, the Polish bomber Wellington /304 Squadron/ sunk U-boat "441" NW of Breast.
 
On July 15th, TARTAR,BLYSKAWICA and HAIDA attacked a German conviy near Lorient /Ile de Croix / . Two transport ships and one escort ship were sunk by artillery fire.

On August 12th 1944 the British Coastal Command plane spotted one large convoy west of La Rochelle at Biscay Bay. Not far away on patrol was: British cruiser DIADEM, Polish destroyer PIORUN and British destroyer ONSLOW. PIORUN artillery fire damaged one big transport ship and caused fire on board .On the signal from DIADEM "Close and finish her off" - Captain GORAZDOWSKI ordered his T.O.-Sub.lieut.KAWERNINSKI to fire a salvo of two torpedoes - from distance 1400 yards - First torpedo missed some yards before her bow but another hit and explosion sunk this ship.It was so called "Blockade Runner" SAUERLAND about 6- 8 thousands tons of displacement.

Operation Dragoon - Allied invasion of southern France- began on August 15th 1944 between Toulon and Nice in Provance and huge forces had been concentrated , comprising about 881 warships and transport ships including 5 battleships, 9 aircraft carriers, 24 cruisers and 111 destroyers. For air support were about 4700 aircraft's. The only Polish ship on the Mediterranean Sea was GARLAND /C.O. Lieut-cdr.B.BISKUPSKI/ belonging to task force of the British Admiral T.TROUBRIDGE composed of one cruiser, four aircraft carriers and ten destroyers on patrole near Crete island.

During one August night,thanks to Asdick Operator - B.WOJCIKIEWICZ, GARLAND avoided two torpedoes fired by submarine.

On September 18th, the seven British destroyers including GARLAND were ordered to Santorene /Thera/ island. Then what happened according relation of Asdick Operator - B.WOJCIKIEWICZ :

"Right after destroyers left aircraft carriers, asdick-operator on the watch reported to the bridge "Starboard 15 - distance 2000 yards - echo ". Answer from bridge was : "Keep this echo" Again operator reported :" Echo very small , 5 degrees wide, metallic and very high - closing " Captain ordered forward guns to be ready and sharp lookout then ordered Action Station and to send signals to nearby ships. Then one of signalman spotted on the surface of sea ......small black smoke."

According to another relation -Lieut St.GORAZDOWSKI - Navigating Officer

"When distance to this smoke was some few hundred meters, we on the bridge smelled burning fuel oil very characteristic of Diesel motors. From distance of 200 meters from the water a small funnel brought to the surface with dense smoke. Not far after that funnel it was a periscope of submarine ! In this moment all this disappeared. Now we know this was U-boat with Schnorkel or Diesel Luft Mast."

GARLAND came closer and having an accurate position of U-boat from Asdick fired from bow a salvo of 24 bombs of Hedgehog but without success, echo is moving still then GARLAND attacked by pattern of 10 Depth Charges, another British destroyer made an attack too and the third British destroyer was keeping echo of U-boat. Still no results - in mean time the night came - but about 0430 hours again ships resumed D.C. attacks. First attack was made by British TROUBRIGDE then by British TERPSICHORE and finally by the Polish GARLAND /Torpedo Officer Sub.lieut. K.OKOLOW-ZUBKOWSKI/. U-boat at first surfaced for some short time then sunk. Whole crew except 3 men were rescued, altogether 48 very young men with her captain 22 years of age. In the moment GARLAND collided with U-boat bow and was damaged . U-407 was sunk in position La= 37.27 N and Long=024.31 E. GARLAND with all prisoners of war was ordered to Alexandria and received a nice signal from admiral TROUBRIDGE :

"U-407 sunk - Long live Poland".

On October 13th GARLAND took part in support of the British landing in Greece.

Again the following British ships were handed over to the Polish Navy :

MTB-427 on August 30th 1944 and named S-7 her first C.O. -Lieut. A.JARACZEWSKI.

• MTB-428 on September 19th 1944 and named S-8 , her first C.O. -Lieut. St.KOPECKI.
• The cruiser DANAE on October 4th 1944 and named CONRAD her first C.O.- Cdr.St..DZIENISIEWICZ.
• MTB-429 on October 26th 1944 and named S-9 ,her first C.O. -Lieut.K.GORALCZYK
• MTB-430 on October 31th 1944 and named S-10 ,her first C.O.-Sub.lieut. J.SCHREIBER.

  From September 1944 till the end of year the all Polish warships except GARLAND were engaged in escort and patrol duties in European waters and North Atlantic.Then GARLAND joined them on November 28th 1944.

  

  THE JALTA AGREEMENT ABOUT NEW EUROPE WAS SIGNED ON FEBRUARY 11th 1945.- between F.D.Roosevelt, W.S.Churchill, J.Stalin - NOT FAVOURABLE FOR POLAND.

  

  First months of 1945 year the Polish warships were engaged in escort and patrol duties in European waters, against German aircraft's, MTBs and U-boats, some of them were in refits too. Nothing out of way happened.

  

  On April 29th 1945 at Caserta headquarters the British Marshal H.ALEXANDER signed a document of unconditional surrender with the representatives of German Troops in Italy. Same day Adolf HITLER designated Admiral K.DONITZ as his successor and committed suicide .

  On May 4th 1945 at Luneburg headquarters Marshal B.MONTGOMERY and Admiral H.FRIEDENBURG signed a document of unconditional surrender of all German Forces in Germany, Holland, Norvay and Denmark.

  On May 7th 1945 0241 hours /GMT+1/ the Document of Unconditional Surrender the German Forces on the East/West Fronts were signed by: GEN.Gustaw JODL/Germany/ and Gen.Bedell SMITH/USA/.

  It was established the date of termination of World War II on May 8th 0001 hours 1945! In Great Britain this day was celebrated as VE-DAY / Victory in Europe /.

  But for special request of the Russia, another document was signed at Berlin on May 9th 1945 by Marshal Wilhelm KEITEL /Germany/ and Marshal Georgij ZUKOW / Russia/, Marshal Arthur TEDDER /U.K./

  

  The First Polish warships to enter German naval base at Wilhelmshaven were KRAKOWIAK/C.O. Lieut-cdr.W.LOSKOCZYNSKI/ and SLAZAK/C.O. Lieut.cdr.W.FARA/ on May 27th 1945 with special group of the British Naval Officers. During five days the Polish officers met with several representatives of the Royal Navy and the First Polish Armoured Division/C.O. Gen.K.RUDNICKI/ who had captured Wilhelmshaven on May 6th. From this day the Polish Flag was hoisted in this city.

  The Second Polish warship to enter the German naval base at Wilhelmhaven was cruiser CONRAD /C.O. Cdr.St.DZIENISIEWICZ/ on June 7th 1945.

  

  The final act of the war was called "OPERATION DEADLIGHT" and consisted in sinking of 110 captured U-boats in Atlantic /Area YY/ position La= 56.10 N and Long=010.05 W.

  Among warships , almost symbolic function had a Polish destroyer BLYSKAWICA / C.O. capt.W.FRANCKI/ who sunk by gun fire 4 U-boats on November 27th 1945. Then in the next days another Polish destroyers took part : PIORUN/C.O. Cdr. W.MARACEWICZ/, KRAKOWIAK /C.O. Cdr.W.LOSKOCZYNSKI/ and in January 7th 1946 GARLAND/C.O. Cdr.M.KADULSKI/ who sunk the last U-boat U-1010 by the Polish warship !

  

  This story would not be fully told,not to mention the living conditions and weather.Destroyers were nearly 27 days per month at sea.The crew was divided into three watches each one 4 hours,round the clock. The seamen slept in large compartments in hammocks,POs in smaller compartment in berths and officers in cabins.Days and nights in suits.When Action Station is sounded ,everybody first jumped into their seaboots,put on duffelcoat and cap, grab a lifebelt and rush on deck to his station.After some training it takes only about one minute ! Food was good but meals depend of ....weather!On board each Polish destroyers were surgeons always ready to help.The best example: GARLAND in Murmansk convoy.All compartments were watertight with pressure ventilation /cold or hot air/ and constant electric lighting.

  Now about weather,one example : /Torp.Officer - Lieut.Z.WEGLARZ /-:

  "Destroyer BLYSKAWICA,while in convoy duty at N.Atlantic was caught by very heavy storm of hurricane category.It was on 4th of December 1941 .Convoy nearly stopped,heavy rains drove in sheets and the motion of ships were extravagant.Keeping stations was impossible , each one heave to weather.The waves were about 17 metrs heigh,sometimes the head of watery cone would topple on board and swamped the deck.Side heeling up to 62 degrees.All lifeboats including their davits were gone,fore-deck and gun-shields were indented inside about 15 cms,Nr.2 torpedo-tube was damaged,steering gear jammed in position "Port 20 ",main gyro out of action,compartments partly flooded through ventilating ducts and looks like after earthquake. C.O. cmdr.W.FRANCKI gave me order to collect some 12 men and proceed astern to compartment of steering gear ,to move rudder with manual control. Same order got 2nd Eng.Lieut.F.CZELUSTA to repair jammed steam-rudder gear. Steering by hands in this situation was very difficult and accurate only to +/- 10 degrees each side.After some two hours engineers repaired steam-engine-rudder gear and we moved slowly back to Scotland.This time we had one Polish Army news reporter.Unfortunately this trip was his first and last - all time he remained in cabin,unable to move and completly shocked. After two days , without rest or meals we reached Greenock."

  Another situation was during voyages to Murmansk at winter time with blizzards,hard frosts,tons of ice on deck and armaments with grim prospect in case to fall into icy waters.

  

  Final demobilization of the Polish warships in Great Britain took part on September 1946

  

  Sailing under the Polish flag during the war were together 47 warships including : 2 cruisers, 10 destroyers, 5 submarines. Operating from British bases during the war, the Polish warships covered 1,213.000 miles or 2,245.476 km. They took part 787 times in escorting convoys or fleet, 1.162 patrols and special operations. Polish warships were engaged 665 times with enemy, including 40 times with surfaces ships, 175 times with U-boats and "live-torpedoes", over 50 times with shore batteries and about 400 times with enemy aircraft's.

  In course of this operations the Polish warships sank 7 surface ships, 2 submarines, 39 transport vessels. Probably sank : 2 surface ships, 3 submarines and 2 transport ships. In addition to this the Polish warships damaged 11 surface ships as well as 8 submarines. With a/a artillery at least 20 aircraft's were shot down and 10 probably. Polish ships rescued 47 times the crews of Allied ships and 35 times of aircraft's.

  

  These exploits were paid for with the loss of 2 submarines and 3 destroyers - 404 dead / 23 officers,8 midshipmen,137 P.O., 236 seamen/and 191 wounded officers and enlisted men.

  Note : Detailed List of P.N. Casualties are in the book "Mala Flota Wielka Duchem"-J.Pertek-Poznan 1989-pages 515-573

  

  For the merit shown in combat, devoted effort, valour and courage, the Polish Seamen were awarded during the war : 51 VIRTUTI MILITARY CROSSES, 1.046 CROSSES OF VALOUR, 69 ORDERS OF MERIT WITH SWORDS, SEA MEDALS 2756, as well as 79 British and 15 French decorations.

  Note : Detailed List of P.N. Personnel decorated are in the book "Polska Mar.Woj./Od Pierwszej do Ostatniej Salwy w 2-giej Wojnie Swiatowej"/-Album-London-1947"
   

  

  First Sea Lord - Adm.A.CUNNINGHAM in the letter dated 12 May 1945 wrote to the Polish C-in-C - Adm.J.SWIRSKI as follows:

  My Dear Admiral!

  May I on behalf of the Royal Navy express my deepest thanks for the generous message contained in your letter of 8th May. During this war,in which sea power has played such an important part ,we have been proud to have units of the Polish Navy working with the Fleet.As I know from my own experience, the officers and men of your ships have invariably responded with outstanding tenacity and courage to any call that has been made on them and have thereby won the admiration of all of us in the Royal Navy. I trust that the close association which has bound our two Navies together in our days of adversity will be as strongly maintained in the years of European peace which we hope are now upon us.
  /-/ Yours Sincerly- A.CUNNINGHAM

  British historian B.TUNSTALL write in 1944 that of all the navies of the United Nations, none fought better under extremely difficult operating conditions than the Polish Navy.

  

  To the end of my story, I must to express my gratitude and thanks to the all Royal Navy personnel from the Seamen up to the Admirals for their friendly attitude and help offered during the war.We do not forget that the Polish Navy although small, was accepted as an equal partner at sea.Unfortunatelly when the war was nearly over, the British politicians speedily recognized the Jalta Agreement and the actual soviet-backed Polish goverment at Warsaw. Moreover, the Polish Armed Forces were not invited to take part in Victory Parade at London. Only the Royal Navy did not forget the Polish Navy and their representatives took part in local Victory Parade at Plymouth-Devonport.
  
  FORTUNATELY THIS YEAR /2005/ BRITISH GOVERNEMENT INVITED POLISH VETERANS/COMBATANTS TO TAKE PART IN VICTORY PARADE - FIRST TIME AFTER 60 YEARS !
  
  - NO COMMENT.
  
  AMONGS 724 BEARERS OF STANDARTS AT VICTORY PARADE / 2005 / THERE WERE 18 POLISH.

The British Liaison Officers on board of Polish warships:/Reference - Mr.Donald Kindell- "KNOWLEDGE NOT SHARED IS LOST"/

A/Lt P.E.C.BROWN, Lieut.cdr. R.J.BURCH,S/Lt.R.J.G.BURNEY Lieut.cdr.W.G.L.COOPER, Lt.J.R.A.DENNE, Lieut.cdr.S.H.DENNIS, Lt.L.H.DODD, Lt.S.J.FOVARGUE, Lieut.cdr.D.A.FRASER, TY/S/Lt.M.A.HANBURY, TY/Lt.E.F.HAYMAN,Lt.A.M.HARTLEY, TY/S/Lt.A.F.HILL, Lieut.cdr.C.J.O.MALCOLM, TY/A/S/Lt. /Sp/G.P.MARLOW,Lieut-cdr.I.N.Mac MILLAN RNR, TY/Lt G.A.McCALVEY, Lt.K.O'Ombrain NOTT, TY/A/Lt.R.G.SERVICE, TY/S/Lt.G.G.TAYLOR, Lt.M.B.VERTUE.



On the occasion of the visit Polish destroyers in England after the war and anniversary of the funeral of Vice-Admiral J.SWIRSKI the local press wrote :

"The Poles are always gallant fighters and as we were hard press, such allies were more than welcome, moreover under J.SWIRSKI command, we could always be certain of the readiness and efficience of his men and ships."

ARCHITECTS   OF   THE   POLISH   NAVY