On Sunday, July 28, near Tarnów, close to the historic “Motyl” (Butterfly) landing strip, a ceremony was held to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Operation Most III (Bridge III). The official part took place at the restored monument in Wał-Ruda. Tribute was paid to the soldiers of the Home Army and flowers were laid. During the ceremony, Tomasz Kosecki, Director of the Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków, received a commemorative gorget along with a letter of thanks issued by the Ministry of National Defence for his involvement in the 80th anniversary of Operation Most III, presented by Members of Parliament Urszula Nowogórska and Anna Pieczarka.
Afterwards, a Holy Mass was held for the intention of the heroic airmen at the Sanctuary of Blessed Karolina Kózkówna in Zabawa, presided over by Bishop Andrzej Jeż of Tarnów. After the Mass, those gathered watched a presentation by historical reenactment groups and listened to a preview of a book — a river interview with Gen. Zdzisław Baszak, authored by Anna Brożek, which will soon be published thanks to the efforts of the Kraków branch of the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN).
In the hangar in Zabawa, visitors could also admire sections of a Dakota aircraft — the same type as the one that landed at the “Motyl” landing strip 80 years ago. The exhibition was enhanced by profiles of the crew of 267 Squadron RAF, who took part in Operation Most III, prepared and provided by the Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków: Capt. Kazimierz Szrajer, pilot George Culliford, and radio operator John Appelby.
Our efforts were also appreciated by Fr. Zbigniew Szostak, custodian of the Sanctuary, who in gratitude for the help in preparing the exhibition presented the Director of the Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków with framed small fragments of the skin of the Dakota aircraft, a section of whose fuselage is on display in Zabawa.
The anniversary celebrations were organized by the Radłów municipality, the World Union of Home Army Soldiers, and the Sanctuary in Zabawa.
Photos: Oskar Romaniec, Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków
Photos from the hangar interior in Zabawa and the church — property of the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN).
