On 13 December 1981, one of the most difficult periods in the history of post-war Poland began. The imposition of Martial Law meant repression, restriction of freedoms and the military takeover of many areas of life, including aviation.
13 December is a date that has been forever inscribed in the history of Poland as a painful symbol of halted dreams of freedom. On this day in 1981, Martial Law was imposed. Tanks and armoured vehicles appeared on the streets of Polish cities, and at airfields, aircraft and entire crews were grounded. Already in the night of 12–13 December, mass arrests of opposition activists began, paralysing all attempts at resistance. The resistance of society was suppressed by force, and many Poles suffered severe repression.
Martial Law also left a deep mark on aviation. The communist authorities imposed full military supervision over all levels of civil aviation, preventing most flights — both domestic and international. Only rescue flights and international flights without landing on Polish territory were permitted. Restrictions also applied to military and security service air traffic.
Faced with these realities, some aviators made dramatic decisions to escape to the West. On 12 February 1982, LOT Polish Airlines captain Czesław Kudłek hijacked an An-24 aircraft and instead of landing in Wrocław, diverted it to West Berlin. A few weeks later, on 1 April, pilots of the 13th Transport Aviation Regiment from Kraków escaped with their families to Vienna aboard An-2 No. 7447 — the very aircraft that is today one of the Museum’s flying exhibits.
In 2002, the Polish Parliament designated 13 December as the Day of Remembrance for Victims of Martial Law, to commemorate those who paid the highest price for their desire for freedom.
