A true friend of Poland — Newark airman thanked by the Polish Ambassador and thousands of his countrymen for his role in the Warsaw Uprising
One of only three surviving RAF heroes of the Warsaw Uprising has received thousands of messages of thanks and support from a grateful nation in his time of need.
Jim Auton, 95, of Newark, was praised and called a true friend of Poland in a letter signed by the country’s ambassador at a time when his health is grave. In addition, many messages of support and thanks have been sent to him via Facebook.
Jim and his comrades were instrumental in the British-led Warsaw Airlift operation, which resupplied the besieged Polish resistance, the Home Army, in their uprising against Nazi Germany during the second world war.
Paul Trickett, Jim’s carer, said it was a shame more people did not know more about Jim because he was a hero of the community.
He said the letter from the Polish Ambassador and messages from thousands of Poles sent on Facebook meant a lot to Jim..
“If you are in poor health and get thousands of messages coming through from strangers, thanking you for what you did, all those years ago, it’s amazing,” said Paul.
Kind words sent on Facebook to Jim included that from family members of fellow airmen who knew him.
Leszek Koncewicz said: “My grandfather Antoni Tomiczek flew to Poland as a pilot of Squadron 1585.
“He always spoke warmly about the British community’s support for Warsaw Uprising and other actions for national army and other occupied countries.
“He knew Mr Jim personally and admired him for his fortitude and his dedication to his health on combat flights.
“Thank you very much for your dedication.”
Jim grew up on RAF airfields in the 1920s and 1930s because his father was a member of ground crew who worked on the maintenance of the RAF’s earliest aircraft.
He joined up in 1941 and, having seen the devastation poured on British cities caused by the Luftwaffe, hoped to do his bit.
He wanted to be a Spitfire pilot, but was later re-trained as a bomb-aimer.
At only 20, Jim flew 37 wartime missions with the 178 Squadron, but is best known for his contribution and bravery during the Warsaw Uprising.
On August 1, 1944, after five years of Nazi rule, the resistance in Warsaw rose up in an effort to overthrow their oppressors.
Within the next few days around 180,000 Polish civilians were killed, including an estimated 60,000 children.
The resistance had supplies to last only three days of fighting.
“We felt angry because nobody was helping the Poles, they were betrayed by the British Government,” Jim said.
“Everybody said we stepped in for he Poles.”
On August 12, 1944, Jim and his crew flew to Warsaw to drop 12 containers with essential weapons, ammunition and medical supplies.
During a six-hour flight to the beleagured city, Jim witnessed one of their aircraft shot down before he found the drop zone.
“We must have been mad,” said Jim.
“Planes were being shot down all around us.
“I said we had not come all this way to drop the supplies in the wrong place.
“You just felt like a robot and the training took over.”
Two nights later, he and his crew would return to drop further supplies.
On his 37th mission, Jim was seriously wounded, suffering damage to his lungs and he lost an eye.
After the war he became fluent in six languages and was even asked to spy for British intelligence — but refused.
More comments received on Facebook said: “You are a wonderful man and our hero.
“We are very grateful to you, thank you, we love you.”
In 1989, Jim was responsible for the creation of the Warsaw Air Bridge Memorial — another name for the airlift — in Newark Cemetery, which stands next to the Polish and Commonwealth War Graves section.
The memorial cross was erected to commemorate both the Home Army and the 250 British, Polish and South African airmen who died in support of the freedom fighters of Warsaw.
Jim’s wife, Peggy, is buried by the cross and he has a plot next to her.
Jim has raised £3m for the Air Bridge Association, which he also founded.
For his wartime bravery, he was awarded 19 medals from different countries including France, Poland and Czechoslavia, as well as, an MBE from Prince Charles for his charity work.
In a letter sent to Jim, Polish Ambassador to the UK, Arkady Rzegocki, said he was uplifted and grateful for the role Jim played.
Mr Rzegocki wrote: “With the 80th anniversary of the outbreak of the second world war, I am all the more grateful that we can celebrate deeds of individuals such as yourself, who did not back away when your fellow human beings were in need.
“You are an example to follow for future generations and I wish you all the best.”
Beaumond House Community Hospice has been instrumental in Jim’s end-of-life care, visiting a few days a week for a couple of hours.
The hospice helped Jim attend the Air Bridge Memorial a few weeks ago, the other annual service, which he attended for the past 30 years, and commemorated the 75th anniversary of the uprising.
It is thought he is to frail to attend All Souls’ this Sunday.
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