Polish Liberators over Raalte

In the early hours of 20 June 1942, a Vickers Wellington bomber of the Polish 305 Squadron was shot down near Raalte in the Netherlands while returning from a bombing mission over Germany. Of the five crew members on board, four lost their lives and one survived, only to become a prisoner of war. Their story is one of courage, sacrifice, and unwavering determination in the fight against Nazi occupation.

Polish Liberators over Raalte tells the remarkable story of these five Polish airmen who, after the invasion and occupation of their homeland, continued their struggle for freedom as part of the Royal Air Force. Through detailed historical research, the book reconstructs their personal backgrounds, military service, final mission, and the tragic events that led to the crash.

The work is based largely on the extensive research of Polish historian and genealogist Krzysztof Kowalkowski, who painstakingly documented the lives of the crew members and their families. Adding a unique and personal dimension to the narrative, the author is directly connected to the story through family ties to the pilot.

More than a wartime history, this book is also a tribute to remembrance. It explores how the crew has been commemorated in the decades since the crash and highlights the enduring connections between Poland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Combining historical accuracy with personal insight, Polish Liberators over Raalte preserves an important chapter of Second World War history and honours the men who gave their lives in the cause of freedom.

This is a story of bravery, loss, and memory—a story that deserves to be remembered.