Gallery – Western exiles’ dilemma

ORP Balytk was a Polish vessel moored off the Devonport naval base on the River Tamar. Later a land base, with the same name, was used for training at the Okehampton rugby club. Later it became a demobilisation and resettlement camp for Polish naval personnel. This photograph is possibly Captain Nahorski inspecting sailors.

Stefan Nahorski

After WWII

United Kingdom

Plymouth

Polish navy

In October 1942, Stanislaw Nahorski, who had been Commander of Polish Navy destroyer ORP Blyskawica, was promoted to Captain and given command of Polish Naval HQ, South, at Devonport, Plymouth (during WW2 over 2,000 seamen were trained from this southern command HQ). This photograph was taken at the christening of Captain Nahorski's second son Stefan on April 20th 1946 on board ORP Blyskawica, Plymouth. Mother and baby seated, father standing directly behind.

Stefan Nahorski

After WWII

United Kingdom

Plymouth

Polish navy

In October 1942, Stanislaw Nahorski, who had been Commander of Polish Navy destroyer ORP Blyskawica, was promoted to Captain and given command of Polish Naval HQ, South, at Devonport, Plymouth (during WW2 over 2,000 seamen were trained from this southern command HQ). This photograph was taken at the christening of Captain Nahorski's second son Stefan on April 20th 1946 on board ORP Blyskawica, Plymouth.

Stefan Nahorski

After WWII

United Kingdom

Plymouth

Polish navy

In October 1942, Stanislaw Nahorski, who had been Commander of Polish Navy destroyer ORP Blyskawica, was promoted to Captain and given command of Polish Naval HQ, South, at Devonport, Plymouth (during WW2 over 2,000 seamen were trained from this southern command HQ). This photograph was taken at the christening of Captain Nahorski's son Stefan on April 20th 1946 on board ORP Blyskawica, Plymouth.

Stefan Nahorski

During WWII

United Kingdom

Plymouth

Polish navy

The official victory parade in London in 1946 did NOT include the Polish Forces - for fear of offending their ally Stalin, the British Government did not invite Poland to participate in the parade. At the official victory parade in Plymouth, where the Polish Navy Southern Command was HQ'd during WW2, the Royal Navy DID invite the Polish Navy to participate.

Stefan Nahorski

After WWII

United Kingdom

Plymouth

Polish navy

Polish Navy destroyer ORP Burza, Harwich 1946

Marek Twardowski

After WWII

United Kingdom

Harwich

Polish navy

Okehampton in Devon is a British military camp. From 1944-47 it was the Polish Navy base for ORP Baltyk, a Polish training ship, and resettlement camp for Polish Navy personnel. This photograph was taken Christmas 1946. Polish Navy veteran Mariusz Wozniak is standing at the back holding his young son.

Mariusz Wozniak

After WWII

United Kingdom

Okehampton, Devon

Polish navy

ORP Baltyk was a training depot ship for the Polish Navy based at the Okehampton Polish Navy camp in Devon as part of the PRC after the war.

R Puch

After WWII

United Kingdom

Okehampton, Devon

1st Independent Parachute Brigade

Michal Krzywoszanski and friends, after Albaneta tank memorial festivities, May18,1946

Chris Wroblew

After WWII

Italy

Albaneta

Polish 2nd Corps in Italy (Gen. Anders)

Unsure of location

Chris Wroblew

After WWII

Polish 2nd Corps in Italy (Gen. Anders)

Albridge, England, 23/04/1947

Miguel Angel Zaprucki

After WWII

United Kingdom

Albridge

Polish 2nd Corps in Italy (Gen. Anders)

Albridge, England, 23/04/1947

Miguel Angel Zaprucki

After WWII

United Kingdom

Albridge

Polish 2nd Corps in Italy (Gen. Anders)

Note on the back says " Na pamiatke dla Kolegi Michala z wspulnych przezyc od Iraku do Anglii. W. Stefanowski, Brighton, 26/01/1947"

Miguel Angel Zaprucki

After WWII

United Kingdom

Brighton

Polish 2nd Corps in Italy (Gen. Anders)

This photo says " Wolnej Polsce, Stefan, Mtochy, 27/06/1945

Miguel Angel Zaprucki

After WWII

Polish 2nd Corps in Italy (Gen. Anders)

This photo says, “Kolegi Josef”, no date.

Miguel Angel Zaprucki

During WWII

Polish 2nd Corps in Italy (Gen. Anders)

Michal Zaprucki, England,1946

Miguel Angel Zaprucki

During WWII

United Kingdom

Polish 2nd Corps in Italy (Gen. Anders)

Officers Validity Card (inside) for Officers Shop

Henry Sokolowski

After WWII

Poland

Polish Resettlement Corps

Officers Clothing Points Rationing Card (outside)

Henry Sokolowski

After WWII

Poland

Officers Clothing Points Rationing Card (inside)

Henry Sokolowski

After WWII

Poland

Polish Resettlement Corps

Beyond the Wall of China – 17 of 17

Henry Sokolowski

After WWII

Poland

Polish 2nd Corps in Italy (Gen. Anders)

Beyond the Wall of China – 17 of 17

Henry Sokolowski

After WWII

Poland

Polish 2nd Corps in Italy (Gen. Anders)

Beyond the Wall of China – 16 of 17

Henry Sokolowski

After WWII

Poland

Polish 2nd Corps in Italy (Gen. Anders)

Beyond the Wall of China – 16 of 17

Henry Sokolowski

After WWII

Poland

Polish 2nd Corps in Italy (Gen. Anders)

Beyond the Wall of China – 15 of 17

Henry Sokolowski

After WWII

Poland

Polish 2nd Corps in Italy (Gen. Anders)

Beyond the Wall of China – 15 of 17

Henry Sokolowski

After WWII

Poland

Polish 2nd Corps in Italy (Gen. Anders)

Beyond the Wall of China – 14 of 17

Henry Sokolowski

After WWII

Poland

Polish 2nd Corps in Italy (Gen. Anders)

Beyond the Wall of China – 14 of 17

Henry Sokolowski

After WWII

Poland

Polish 2nd Corps in Italy (Gen. Anders)

Beyond the Wall of China – 13 of 17

Henry Sokolowski

After WWII

Poland

Polish 2nd Corps in Italy (Gen. Anders)

Beyond the Wall of China – 13 of 17

Henry Sokolowski

After WWII

Poland

Polish 2nd Corps in Italy (Gen. Anders)

Beyond the Wall of China – 12 of 17

Henry Sokolowski

After WWII

Poland

Polish 2nd Corps in Italy (Gen. Anders)