Poland in South Africa

The Warsaw Flights Commemoration Committee, in cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Pretoria, once again organized ceremonies commemorating an important episode in the shared history of Poland and South Africa. The event was attended by representatives of the South African Air Force (SAAF), the Royal Air Force, Polish diaspora associations in South Africa, the diplomatic corps, the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Pretoria, and South African citizens.

The ceremony was led by Martin Urry, Chairman of the Warsaw Flights Commemoration Committee. The gathered participants observed a minute of silence in memory of the fallen heroes and shared a prayer.

Chargé d’Affaires Jacek Chodorowicz delivered a commemorative address, highlighting the courage of SAAF airmen. He recalled that of the 80 units involved in the relief effort for Warsaw, 31 were shot down. He added that, in such difficult conditions and facing the brutality of German troops, each airdrop was an expression of true heroism. He assured that the memory of those who helped Poles during the cruel occupation remains alive, as evidenced by annual ceremonies such as those at the Katyn Monument in Johannesburg.

After the Polish and South African national anthems were played by the Katyn Monument, guests admired the military aircraft flyover. A wreath-laying ceremony at the Katyn Monument in Johannesburg concluded the first part of the event.

The commemorations continued with a reception at the South African National Museum of Military History in Johannesburg.

Photos: Piotr Kruze/Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Pretoria /Jacek Fastyn/Polish Heritage Foundation