ORP Blyskawica

Cowes and East Cowes have this week been commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Polish ship ORP Blyskawica's defence of the towns against the Luftwaffe's Blitz in May 1942. The ship, built in East Cowes in 1935, had returned to East Cowes five times during the war years for repairs and alterations and during the night of 4 May 1942 acted as a floating anti-aircraft base in defence of the towns. Without its help, the devastation would have been far greater. The following morning the Ship's company joined local fireman and other emergency services in the search and rescue operation. 
The commemorations included a gun salute, a memorial service, talks, a piano recital by the grand-daughter of the Blyskawica's captain, Polish dancing and market stalls. Whilst the ship is now a museum in Poland, Polish naval vessel ORP Wodnik sailed into Cowes at the start of the commemorations.