Annual Air Bridge Commemoration takes place at Newark Cemetery to remember those who died supporting the 1944 Warsaw Uprising
One of the most defining moments of the second world war continues to be remembered in a poignant service which shows a lasting camaraderie between nations.
On Sunday (September 28), a large crowd gathered in Newark Cemetery for the annual Air Bridge Commemoration, in remembrance of the casualties of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising and the servicemen that supported resistance fighters from the air.
British and Polish citizens came together to pay their respects at the Air Bridge Memorial, located close to the Polish War Graves section of the cemetery on London Road.
The Warsaw Uprising took place from August to October in 1944, and saw underground resistance attempt to liberate the Polish capital and seize back control from Nazi occupation.
They were supported by the RAF and other Commonwealth nations, who dropped supplies to resistance fighters and civilians on the ground.
The air force suffered heavy losses as they had to fly over 1,000 miles, through enemy territory, and ultimately 250 airmen would lose their lives.
Wreaths of red and white flowers were laid against the memorial by civic dignitaries, representatives from including Polish military, a Canadian Airman representing Commonwealth forces, the RAF, Newark Air Cadets, Polish Scouts, and veterans.
When a trumpeter from Newark Town Band sounded the Last Post, two minutes of perfect silence were observed.
The service was also poignant as it is now five years since the founder of the Newark Air Bridge Commemoration, Jim Auton MBE, passed away in January 2020.
Jim was a veteran of the operation to drop supplies into Warsaw and lost sight in his right eye after being badly injured by piece of shrapnel.
On one night, he bravely spent 45 minutes circling the city in his B-24 Liberator while under heavy fire until he could be certain that the supplies he was dropping would not end up in the hands of the enemy.
Jim flew 37 missions with 178 Squadron in total, and would receive 20 medals from seven different nations for his service.
As per his wishes, he is buried in a stones throw away from the memorial which he designed, and many of those in attendance at the service left tributes at his graveside.
The Mayor of Newark, Barbara Corrigan, was one of those to read prayers and lay a wreath on behalf of Newark Town Council.
She said: “It is really important to the town that we continue to remember the Air Bridge every year.
“For me it is very special, to go from attending as a member of the public a few years ago, then at Deputy Mayor last year, and now as the Mayor being able to participate and lay a wreath on behalf of the townspeople of Newark.
“Our connection to Poland are really important; through the air force, Irena Sendler, our twin town of Sandomierz, the Polish Presidents who were repatriated a few years ago, and of course so many members of the community whose family originated in Poland.
“It is a very special connection and history that we share, as shown by the huge crowd we had, which was wonderful to see.
“This service is to remember all those people who gave so much so that we can live in peace and safety today.”