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ORP Błyskawica Departing Cowes
Błyskawica moored on the River Medina
The Polish destroyer Błyskawica (yard No. 1801) will forever be associated with Cowes, following her brave defence of the town during an intensive German air raid on the night of 4-5 May 1942.
She and her sister Grom are probably the finest examples of this type of ship built by the shipyard. The year 2012 has particular significance for her, being the seventy-fifth anniversary of her entry into service in October 1937, as well as the seventieth anniversary of that memorable night when, under the command of Commander Roman Francki, her guns drove off the German bombers bent on destroying the town where she was created.
In 1987 the Błyskawica was honoured with the Gold Cross of the Military Order Virtuti, the Polish Navy's highest decoration bestowed on a fighting ship. This image shows the Błyskawica leaving the River Medina with East Cowes in the background.
[Credit: Tim Gladdis]