In a significant gesture of remembrance and recognition, the Senate of the Republic of Poland has unanimously adopted a resolution commemorating the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and the centenary of the School of the Eaglets (Lotnicza Akademia Wojskowa). The initiative was brought forward thanks to the efforts of the Remember The Heroes campaign, which seeks to honour Polish contributions to global military history and fighting Nazi German totalitarianism in the key battles of the World War II.

The resolution was passed by acclamation, underscoring the upper chamber’s strong support. The Senate, Poland’s equivalent of the House of Lords, paid tribute to the valour and legacy of Polish airmen and cadets who shaped the course of 20th-century history.

Tomasz Chrabąszcz: „In connection with the initiative, a substantive discussion took place with the Speaker of the Senate, Ms Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska. During the half-hour meeting, we outlined key upcoming projects to be undertaken by Remember The Heroes in collaboration with the Senate. I also had the opportunity to express gratitude for the Speaker’s engagement and her acknowledgement of the vital role played by the Polish diaspora in public life.”

You can read the translation of the resolution published on Tomasz Chrabąszcz’s (Remember the Heroes Co-Founder) Facebook profile:

“RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE OF THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND

dated 16 July 2025

On the Centenary of the School of Eaglets and the 85th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain

In 2025, the Senate of the Republic of Poland recalls the achievements of Polish aviation training and the undeniable contribution of Polish airmen to the first Allied victory over Nazi Germany. This triumph demonstrated that the power of Hitler’s Reich could be overcome by faith and an unwavering belief in the possibility of its defeat.”

In November 1925, the Officers’ School of Aviation began operations in Grudziądz. After a year and a half, it was relocated to Dęblin, where it has continued to operate to this day as the Military Aviation Academy, educating successive generations of the elite of the Polish Air Force. Known from its earliest years as the School of Eaglets, it was famously described by Marshal Edward Rydz-Śmigły as a place that would give Polish aviation “the flight of eaglets and the gaze of an eagle”, ensuring it would not fall behind any other air force in the world.

Already in the interwar period, the school was counted among the leading European aviation academies, providing master-level training to over six hundred observers and nearly three hundred and fifty pilots. Among the graduates of this “winged school of Dęblin”, more than one hundred took part in the Battle of Britain, and twenty-nine would go on to become fighter aces during the Second World War — each with at least five confirmed victories.

Graduates of the School of Eaglets formed the core of the Polish Air Force and wrote a particularly glorious chapter during the Battle of Britain. They were part of the largest allied group of pilots, who, at the controls of legendary Hurricanes and Spitfires, demonstrated exceptional combat instincts and outstanding flying skill.

In 1940, during three months of fierce aerial combat over the “island of hope”, facing a vastly superior Luftwaffe, Polish airmen played a crucial role in achieving victory and thwarting Nazi plans for the invasion of Britain. Deprived of their homeland, they struck back at the Luftwaffe for the crimes it had committed, including the brutal machine-gunning of fleeing civilians in 1939. They proved their unshakable will to fight, unmatched bravery, resilience, and patriotism of the highest order — a sacrifice paid with the lives of twenty-nine heroes.

On the centenary of the School of Eaglets, the Senate of the Republic of Poland pays tribute to its founders, generations of instructors and all personnel, whose dedicated service has produced — and continues to produce — excellent training results to this day.

On the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, the Senate of the Republic of Poland honours the heroic Polish airmen, whose attitude and example remain a source of national pride and enduring inspiration for current and future generations.

The Senate of the Republic of Poland expresses its gratitude to all individuals, associations, and institutions in Poland and abroad who are engaged in commemorating the contributions of Polish airmen to the victory of freedom over murderous totalitarianism.

This Resolution shall be published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Poland, Monitor Polski.”

Source: Fb/Tomasz Chrabąszcz

Photo: X/@PolishEmbassyUK

Tomasz Modrzejewski