We Remember All Those Who Joined the Heavenly Squadron

Cultivating the memory of aviators and people associated with our institution, Director Tomasz Kosecki and Deputy Director Tomasz Krzaczyński visited in recent days the resting places of former Museum directors: Krzysztof Radwan and Marian Markowski, as well as the grave of Dariusz Rutkowski — a long-serving Museum employee whose unexpected passing this year left deep sorrow and a void in our community.

Museum representatives also lit candles on the graves of aviators of the 2nd Aviation Regiment, once stationed at the Rakowice-Czyżyny airfield, as well as at the military cemetery of Allied airmen who died during World War II, fighting for the freedom of Poland and Europe.

At the Rakowicki Cemetery in Kraków, the graves include those of:

• Sgt Antoni Jucha — the first Polish commander of the Rakowice-Czyżyny airfield
• aviators of the 2nd Aviation Regiment
• Gustaw Pokrzywka — the mechanic who, together with Jerzy Bajan in the RWD-9 aircraft, won the prestigious international Challenge air competition in 1934
• the crew of Liberator KG890 GR-S, who perished in an aerial battle over Bochnia against a German fighter in August 1944, returning from a supply drop mission for fighting Warsaw
• air crews of No. 1586 Special Duty Flight — British, New Zealand and South African airmen who died in supply missions for fighting Warsaw

This symbolic gesture of remembrance is an expression of the conviction that the mission of the Polish Aviation Museum does not end within the space of exhibitions and archives. It is also a commitment to preserving tradition, honouring those who have joined the Heavenly Squadron, and keeping alive the memory of the people of aviation — heroes, enthusiasts and custodians of heritage.