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Cowes prepares to celebrate Polish Heroes during World War II [10]
Cowes is geared up to celebrate the heroism of Polish sailors during World War II this weekend.
The 70th anniversary of the defence of Cowes by the Polish Destroyer, ORP Blyskawica.............................................
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The brunt of the defence lay with Capt. Francki and the Polish officers and crew of ORP Błyskawica. The planes came from the Solent and ORP Błyskawica's main armament, under the crew's direction, drove the attackers up higher, so reducing the accuracy of the bombing. Her anti-aircraft guns fired continuously. Hands were scalded and gun barrels grew so hot that seawater was lifted in buckets from over the side, and thrown on the barrels to cool them down.
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Captain Franki's defence of the town that night was acknowledged formally by the people of Cowes when a plaque was unveiled on 3 May 2004, to commemorate the event and to name an amenity area "Francki Place".
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