The Polish Aviators’ Association, in cooperation with the Ministry of National Defence, is organising a historical event – an Aviation Rally from Poland to the United Kingdom, taking place from 19 to 31 May 2025. A total of 23 participants will take part, flying in 7 light aircraft. The rally route includes departure from Babice Airport, flying over Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and France, and landing in the UK at the following locations: Andrewsfield, North Weald, Duxford, Shuttleworth, Syerston, Kirton in Lindsey, Perth, Llanbedr, Swansea, Perranporth, and Northolt.

The Warsaw Aeroclub, a co-organiser of the aviation rally, hosted its departure from its Babice headquarters in Warsaw on 19 May. The farewell to the airmen was attended, among others, by the Defence Attaché of the British Embassy in Warsaw, Group Captain (Colonel) Chris Brown.

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The Warsaw Aeroclub’s airport is the cradle of Polish military and sport aviation. Before the war, legendary pilots who fought in the Battle of Britain, including Jan Zumbach, Witold Urbanowicz, and Mirosław Ferić, trained here.

The rally includes Warsaw Aeroclub President Michał Krzemiński and pilots associated with the club.

The route within the UK is designed to allow visits to key locations where Polish squadrons were stationed during the Battle of Britain, as well as memorial sites for fallen Polish airmen. At the planned landing sites, meetings will be held with local aviation communities, representatives of the Polish diaspora, and Polish WWII veterans and their families.

These meetings will serve to honour the memory of Polish aviators who fought for independence, promote patriotic values, and raise awareness about the role of Polish pilots in Britain. Wreaths will be laid at memorial sites, cemeteries where Polish airmen are buried, and at the Polish Air Force Memorial in Northolt.

We also plan to produce a film documentary of our journey, which will not only showcase the beauty of flying but also highlight our heroic history—reminding the public, especially the younger generation of Poles living in the UK, of the legacy and ethos of the Polish Squadrons who served in Britain.

On the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, this project will honour the sacrifice of our aviators, strengthen patriotic spirit and national identity within the Polish community abroad, pass on the history of Poland, and preserve the memory of our heroes.

The British Poles is the media patron of the project. We warmly invite everyone to Northolt on 29 May, where the rally route will come to its conclusion. Let’s gather in numbers to welcome the Polish team from the Polish Aviators’ Association and pay tribute to our heroes together!

Photos: J. Mitek, Polski Związek Lotników