RAF Woodvale unveil plans for Spitfire memorial

Plans to mount a Spitfire at the entrance to RAF Woodvale as a tribute to the Polish airmen who served there in WWII have been unveiled.

Although in its early stages, it is hoped the idea, which is being co-ordinated by theSouthport Anglo-Polish Society, would act as a memorial to the many Poles and British who flew from the airfield throughout the conflict.

A fund is being set up to help pay for the replica Spitfire which would carry both RAF and Polish markings.

Although constructed as an all-weather night fighter airfield for the defence of Liverpool, RAF Woodvale did not open until December, 1941 which was just after the Liverpool Blitz.

Picture by Andrew Teebay. Aerial shot of RAF Woodvale dated 1943.

As a result, RAF squadrons were brought up from the south of England to ‘rest’ for short periods.

No 308 (Krakowski) Squadron was the first to arrive followed by several other Polish squadrons including including 315 (Deblinski) Sqn and 317 (Wilenski) Sqn. All flew Spitfires.

Several accidents marred the squadrons’ stay in Sefton and six Polish airmen are buried in war graves at Our Lady of Compassion Church in Formby.

A total of 145 Polish fighter pilots served in the RAF during the Battle of Britain, making up the largest non-British contribution. By the end of the war, around 19,400 Poles were serving in the Polish Air Force in Great Britain and in the RAF.

In 2010, former Woodvale Squadron Leader Gary Norman launched an appeal to have a replica Spitfire installed as a permanent guard at the base’s entrance after a similar aircraft was installed briefly to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

Spitfire Squadron stationed at RAF Woodvale during WWII

“We have been talking with Woodvale about this for quite a while but we are still in the early days” said Richard Kowalski, born in England to Polish immigrants, and a founder of the Southport Anglo-Polish Society. “We thought about a simple plaque but that idea has now developed into a memorial using a model of a Spitfire in flying position which can be truly Anglo Polish.

“The first squadron based at Woodvale was Polish but we want to remember all the squadrons which passed through and we think this would be a fitting tribute to all those brave men who flew from Woodvale.”

Story and Photo Source: Southport Visiter