13 April – The Day of Remembrance for Victims of Katyn Massacre

The Katyn Massacre is one of the most tragic events in Polish history. It claimed the lives of over 21,000 members of the Polish elite – officers of the Polish Army, police officers, civil servants, scientists, doctors and artists. It was a deliberate act of extermination, aimed at depriving Poland of its intellectual and military potential, and thereby destroying the foundations of its future independence.

Among the victims of this inhuman crime were also many people associated with Polish aviation – pilots, engineers, observers, instructors and lecturers, who formed the backbone of the interwar air force. A total of nearly 350 people. Their knowledge, experience and passion for flying were crucial to the development of Polish aviation and the country’s defence. Among them were:

• ppor. pil. Janina Lewandowska (1908–1940) –  the only female aviator murdered at Katyn, a glider and aeroplane pilot, daughter of General Józef Dowbor-Muśnicki.
• kpt. pil. Zbigniew Babiński (1896–1940) – a distinguished military pilot and participant in the Polish–Bolshevik War. A pioneer of aviation tourism and a founder of sport and military aviation. He took part in the 1930 Challenge.
• kpt. obs. Wacław Marian Cecota (1905 – 1940) – a graduate of The Polish Air Force Academy in Dęblin. A career officer. He served in an aviation training battalion. Murdered in Katyn as a prisoner of war from Kozielsk.
• por. pil. Michał Dzierzgowski (1902 – 1940) – lieutenant in the Polish Army, recipient of the Order of Virtuti Militari. Participant in the Greater Poland Uprising, the Polish–Bolshevik War and The invasion of Poland (September Campaign). Killed in Katyn as a prisoner of war from Kozielsk.
• ppłk obs. Julian Sielewicz (1892 – 1940) – pilot and balloon observer in the Polish Army, recipient of the Order of Virtuti Militari, participant in the fighting during the First World War, the Polish-Bolshevik War and The invasion of Poland (September Campaign).

The Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków honours with respect and pride the memory of those who, in addition to fighting in the air, fell victim to one of the greatest acts of terror of the 20th century. We pay tribute to them. Preserving their memory is our duty and a foundation for future generations.

On this special day, we encourage you to reflect on history and pay tribute to all the victims of the Katyn Massacre.