In March 1941, the first Polish Fighter Wing was established at RAF Northolt.
It would remain at Northolt for most of the Second World War and many of the Poles stationed there came to know the base as their second home.
The Orchard Hotel as it was then known, just over a mile from RAF Northolt, became the favoured watering-hole, restaurant and dance floor for many of the Polish airmen. Squadron Leader Franciszek Kornicki recalled the Orchard fondly in his memoir:
"The Orchard Hotel was the jewel of Ruislip. It had a good-sized bar, and a dining room where a small orchestra played every night and where you could eat and dance, or drink and dance, or just drink and watch the dancers, according to the state of your finances and luck.
The proprietor and his staff were our friends. They coped admirably with our high spirits, and with the low ones when fortune turned against us. They had a very efficient bush telegraph and were well informed about the affairs of the Northolt Polish Wing, responding properly to events. The boss looked after his youngest and poorest customers with particular care and when he noticed a chap trying to make his half pint of beer last for ages, he would discreetly send him a pint.
At the end of the evening the orchestra played God Save the King followed by Jeszcze Polska nie Zginęla and locals and foreigners stood to attention for both national
anthems."
2,408 members of the Polish Air Force gave their lives during the Second World War, but following VE Day in 1945, the free Poland that they had fought for no longer existed. Many therefore stayed in the UK, continuing in the Royal Air Force or settling in to civilian life instead.
Image descriptions
Christmas in the mess. With nowhere else to go, most Polish airmen celebrated holidays on-base.- Polish pilots waiting "at readiness", RAF Northolt, 1942. Much time was spent waiting on the airfield for a scramble order to come through and pilots entertained themselves during these times by reading, playing cards or simply sitting in the sunshine.
- Off duty Polish airmen relaxing with a game of volleyball in front of their Supermarine Spitfire aircraft. Pilots engaged in all sorts of activities during their time off, including sports, visits to London, and of course drinking and dancing at The Orchard. The Spitfire marked with the letter H (serial no. BR601) survives to date and is still airworthy.
- Polish Air Force officers standing outside RAF Northolt's Officers' Mess in 1941, left to right: Stefan Paderewski, Zbigniew Czaykowski, Wojciech Kołaczkowski and Erwin Kawnik. For many who had left their homes and families behind, the mess became something of a new home.