On 14 and 15 November, Exeter Guildhall hosted a commemorative exhibition honouring No. 307 Polish Night Fighter Squadron, the unit that helped defend Devon and Cornwall during the Second World War. The two-day event paid tribute to the Polish airmen whose efforts and determination played a key role in protecting the Southwest.
After the German invasion of Poland in 1939, thousands of Polish servicemen escaped their occupied homeland, determined to continue resisting Nazi Germany. Many regrouped in France, and when the country fell in 1940, they travelled to Britain, where they became an important part of the allied air forces. Among these men were the pilots who would go on to form No. 307 Squadron.
The squadron, known as the “Lwów Eagle Owls”, served under the Polish Air Force in exile while operating within the Royal Air Force. Between 1941 and 1943, they were stationed in Exeter, flying night-fighter missions to intercept Luftwaffe aircraft targeting Britain’s coastal towns, military bases, and industrial infrastructure. Their work proved essential in safeguarding the region during repeated waves of aerial attack.
This year’s exhibition, titled “Night Fighters of Exeter – The Story of 307 Squadron,” was organised with the support of the 307 Squadron Project, led by Andrzej Michalski and Michael Parrott. The charitable organisation is dedicated to researching, preserving, and promoting the squadron’s history, and has been central to keeping their legacy alive within the city.
At 10:00 on 15 November, the Lord Mayor of Exeter, Councillor Anne Jobson, raised the Polish flag above the Guildhall in a public tribute to the squadron’s service. Later, at noon, a remembrance service took place in the St James Chapel of Exeter Cathedral, followed by the laying of wreaths at the 307 Squadron Memorial.
Among those attending the flag-raising were Exeter MP Steve Race, Councillor Jobson, and Dr Simon Selby, Honorary Consul to the Polish Embassy and President of the Anglo-Polish Society.
The annual commemoration has taken place on 15 November since 2012, ensuring that the bravery and legacy of the Lwów Eagle Owls remain a recognised and respected part of Exeter’s wartime history.
