Bulleid Battle of Britain 34053 '303 Squadron' Naming Ceremony - Spa Valley Railway - 01/09/24
The 1st September 2024 saw the renaming of Southern Railway Bulleid Battle of Britain Class 34053 'Sir Keith Park' as '303 Squadron', as a mark of honor to Polish pilots who fought during the Battle of Britain. The event also coincided with the 85th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II, following the German invasion of Poland.
303 Squadron, alongside 302 Squadron, was formed of Polish personnel who had escaped from Occupied Europe into England. On 2nd August 1940, 303 Squadron was deployed to RAF Northolt, equipped with a fleet of Hawker Hurricanes. On 30th August, the Squadron achieved their first victory, despite being officially non-operational, after intercepting and destroying a German Messerschmitt during a training flight. Following this, on recommendation from Squadron leader Kellett, 303 Squadron saw its first operational sortie the following day.
It soon became apparent the skill and ability of Polish pilots, with 303 Squadron becoming the most successful RAF Fighter Squadron in the Battle of Britain, destroying 126 enemy aircraft, despite joining the fray two months late. Air Chief Marshal Lord Hugh Dowding, head of Fighter Command, who had previously had reservations on allowing Polish pilots into battle, said later:
"Had it not been for the magnificent work of the Polish squadrons and their unsurpassed gallantry, I hesitate to say that the outcome of battle would have been the same". Sadly, over the course of the battle, 29 Polish pilots lost their lives.
Following the end of World War II, despite the efforts of 303 Squadron and other polish personnel, no members of the Polish forces were invited to the 1946 VE Day Parade in London. After national outrage and protest from Winston Churchill and members of the RAF, invites were sent to 25 Polish Pilots. These invitations were promptly refused, in protest that no other Polish units had been recognised and invited.
The naming ceremony at Eridge station was attended by members of the Polish Air Force and Military, the 303 Squadron Air Cadets and delegates from the Polish Embassy in London. Speeches were made by SLL Director Peter Spowage, Vice-Consul of the Polish Embassy Anna Tarnowska-Waszak, Brigadier General Michał Sprengel and Louise Pemberton, daughter of 303 Squadron Leader R.G. Kellett. The idea for the renaming had been put forward by Mike Frackiewicz, long term volunteer with SLL, who was also in attendance. 34053 will retain the identity of '303 Squadron' for the following year, before having 'Sir Keith Park' nameplates returned to mark the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain in 2025.
LINKS
Facebook: / brickishrailyt
Instagram: / brickishrail
LOCOS & STOCK
SR Bulleid Battle of Britain Class 34053 '303 Squadron'
GWR 4100 Class Prairie Tank 4144
BR Class 73 73140
VIDEO CONTENTS
0:00 - 34053 - Eridge Station
0:30 - Introduction by Peter Spowage & 303 Squadron Air Cadets
2:16 - Speech - Vice-Consul Anna Tarnowska-Waszak
7:48 - Speech - Brigadier General Michał Sprenge
10:04 - Speech - Louise Pemberton
16:56 - Nameplate unveiling
17:39 - 34053 & 4144 - Eridge Station
20:14 - 34053 - Lealands
21:45 - 34053 - Pokehill Farm Crossing
22:45 - 34053 & 73140 - Pokehill Farm Crossing
Filmed on 1st September 2024. Many thanks for the company of @TheSouthernerYTChannel, and for supplying additional footage. Closed captions available in English and Polish / Napisy dostępne w języku Angielskim i Polskim.