Dignitaries and members of Johannesburg’s Polish community gathered at the Katyn Memorial in James and Ethel Gray Park, Melrose, to commemorate the 82nd anniversary of the Warsaw Flights on September 5.

The event honoured the bravery of those involved in the 1944 missions, with the national anthems of South Africa and Poland played in remembrance.

Read more: Legacy of courage and remembrance: the 80th anniversary of the Warsaw flights

The South African Air Force deployed a guard of honour before opening remarks were delivered by Martin Urry, chairperson of the Warsaw Flights committee.

Robin Petersen led a religious service while reflecting on the air drop missions. “I’ve stood at this memorial for 20 years and told the story of the brave men who were part of the Warsaw Flights. This year, though, I find myself dwelling less on the mission and more on those who carried it on both sides, because when I look again at the record, I am struck every time about how young they all were,” he said.

Petersen added that his personal connection to the commemoration was through his late father-in-law, Bryan Jones, who conducted the services independently for many years.

The deputy head of mission of the Republic of Poland to South Africa, Piotr Kruze, said being at the memorial held great significance for the Polish people. “The fact that the Warsaw Flights anniversary takes place annually here in South Africa reaffirms the strong friendship between the Polish and South African nations established long ago. This event is organised to pay tribute to the brave members of the South African Air Force who provided aid to fighting Warsaw,” he said.

Kruze added that in August 1944, the home army, the largest Polish resistance movement, began the fight against German troops to liberate the Polish capital in a fierce declaration that Poland and its people would be free.

The ambassador-designate of the EU delegation to South Africa, Kristian Schmidt, said he was honoured to attend the ceremony. “We honour the bravery of the South African pilots, their memory and the sacrifices they made, while well aware of how dangerous their mission was. We also honour the bravery of the Polish home army, at a time when Europe was tearing itself apart and engulfing the rest of the world in global conflict,” he said.

Also read: Warsaw air soldiers remembered

Schmidt added that the Polish people showed immense courage in 1944 by rising up against the overwhelming military might of the Nazi regime rather than waiting for foreign liberation.

First Midrand Scout Aashirya Sundarlal, who assisted with the proceedings, said she was honoured to help at such an important anniversary.

Following the addresses, dignitaries participated in a wreath-laying ceremony to pay tribute to the fallen.

Petersen closed the proceedings with a final blessing before guests were escorted to the Ditsong National Museum of Military History in Parktown.

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