"Hurricane" - New film about the famous Polish RAF squadron 303.

I just want to bring this new film to your attention.
It tells the whole story in detail,showing their skill and bravery and even tells how badly The British government treated them after the war.

warhistoryonline.com/world-war-ii/hurricane-303-battle-of-britain-film.html

Just to add to that, the Scottish director of the film talks about it briefly here:

thefirstnews.com/video/director-david-blair-talks-to-tfn-at-the-warsaw-premiere-of-his-new-film-hurricane-65

The script was written by Robert Ryan, an Englishman and Alastair Galbraith, another Scot.

Ryan gives a few nice little details about historical accuracy in the film here:

robtryan.com/tag/hurricane/

Nice that it has a Scottish provenance, given the connection between the Polish servicemen and Scotland where so many of them settled after the war. I wonder whose idea the film was in the first place.

The Orchard pub in Ruislip is where The Polish airmen used to drink.
There is a large model of a Hurricane outside and some memorabilia inside.

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  The Orchard
  

And these are photos of The Polish War Memorial outside RAF Northolt.
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Amazing.....this is a Polish forum and yet the only person who has shown any interest in my post is a nice Irish woman married to a Pole and living in Poland......where are the supposed Polish Patriots in this forum?

I have posted this link to many other Polish groups and it generated a lot of interest......what is wrong with Polish Forums?

The war finished more than 70 years ago Miloslaw. We have new problems, right now.

Very true Doug,but you're a True Brit,I don't expect you to understand Polish pride in our history.
I'm just surprised all the so called "Proud Poles" on this forum have no pride of their history.
History is very important to Poles.

I like it Milo - will try and visit that pub if I am in the neighborhood. I saw the memorial before with my brother

Good man cms!
But are you a Brit too?

Yes - joint citizen. Polish parents but grew up in UK and US

Hi cms!
Fellow mongrel...... :-)

:) I'm not so into that war stuff but I know it's important and I do want to make it to Monte Cassino one time

303,Katyn,The Warsaw Uprising and Monte Cassino were very important to our parents and grandparents.
We should respect this history for our ancestorsl

The real reason why Polish patriots stay silent on this subject is because of one rather embarassing question pressing itself into their face : "Why the heck did we bother?!?"

That is a really stupid thing to say.
How were they supposed to know how it would end?
They envisioned themselves taking the fight all the way back to Poland.
Given the circumstances and our heavy reliance on Russia to end the war,what else do you propose they should or could have done?
And is all that a reason not to recognize the skill and courage of these great men?

Your points are all valid and beyond argument. in hindsight my question lingers on, nevertheless.

Yes,hindsight is a wonderful thing.............

Most of my family were military and ended up in The UK either during the war or just after it.
Some moved to The States or Canada and a couple to Australia but most stayed in The UK.
They felt betrayed when not allowed on The VE Day parade so as not to upset Stalin and they were not given British citizenship straight away but were issued with Travel Documents that allowed them to visit certain countries but offered no protection from The British State.

None returned to Poland.
Did any of them feel betrayed by the fact that Poland was not free?
I think they were,in the main,realistic about the situation and knew there was nothing that could be done.

303 squadron are a legend in The UK now.

youtu.be/vSHeKwLnp8o

There's a good documentary about them

youtu.be/ptijNcDanVw

The end is really sad. In Random chat you gave link to 'Unconquered'. It ends with 'We do not beg for freedom. We fight for it'. These were words of Witold Urbanowicz. After the war he was told to leave Britain. He was arrested by the communists in Poland. In the documentary his son talks about his reaction to the Victory Parade, how it broke his heart.

Polish people know about our pilots in the Battle of Britain. We are proud of them. But it's a bittersweet story when you also read about how they were treated after the war or how the Polish government had to pay Britain to let Polish pilots fight in the battle.

I know British people know about Poles in the Battle of Britain. And I'm happy they're aware of this fact.

It certainly is.....

@Miloslaw

They were cynically used by Brits and not only Brits Before the war during and after. Don't trust any of them. Not so easy to manipulate any more.

Better educated, more sure of themselves, No more flock of sheep's blindly following outsiders suggestions Poland's way is what's right for Poland

At least Britain gave its' Poles a home. My "uncle" was such an example, and he was very grateful. Poland on the other hand, offered nothing with this latest wave of refugees and forced emigration into Europe. I would be more selective in my criticism.

@Dougpol1
Well, Urbanowicz was sent home where he was arrested by the communists.

Some fatal mistakes were made, including as we know, refusing some trainloads of servicemen. One presumes it is too late for compensation now.
We didn't have the digital age, to process people fairly.

don't use that mealy mouthed passive voice - are you a politician? who made mistakes?

For gallons upon gallons of red blood some of them got the right to stay ,Never accepted as equal, tolerated. treated no better than Gurkhas

Salutations ,and honors to your uncle , Gratitude not so easily assigned at this moment in history, we are not that naïve , rather skeptical bunch.

Beside we are long way away from Africa and colorful trinkets . are not enough to buy our souls