Clydebank, 14 March 2026 – during the unveiling ceremony of the commemorative plaque honouring the heroic defence of Clydebank by ORP Piorun, marking the 85th anniversary of the dramatic events of March 1941, a voice was heard – the voice of today’s Polish Navy.

An official letter from Rear Admiral Andrzej Ogrodnik, Commander of the 3rd Ship Flotilla in Gdynia, was addressed to the President of the Polish Sue Association, Iwona Golińska.

The letter, read in English during the ceremony, became a symbolic bridge between past and present.

In the presence of distinguished guests – including Minister Agnieszka Jędrzak, Vice President of the Institute of National Remembrance Karol Polejowski, and representatives of Clydebank’s local authorities – the message resonated as a powerful testimony of remembrance, gratitude, and the continuity of naval tradition.

“A Symbol of Courage and Brotherhood in Arms”

In his message, Rear Admiral Ogrodnik recalled the dramatic events of March 1941, when the destroyer ORP Piorun, under the command of Eugeniusz Pławski, played a vital role in defending Clydebank during German air raids.

“The ship’s crew defended key industrial facilities with intense anti-aircraft fire. They also assisted in extinguishing fires and provided aid to the local population.”

The letter emphasised that the actions of Polish sailors contributed not only to the protection of vital industrial and port infrastructure, but also to saving civilian lives and supporting the Allied war effort.

A Living Naval Tradition

A particularly powerful element of the letter was its connection to the present day. The Commander of the 3rd Ship Flotilla highlighted that the legacy of ORP Piorun continues today through its modern successor, proudly bearing the same name.

“The events of 85 years ago remain a powerful symbol of courage, determination, and the brotherhood in arms that united the sailors of the Polish Navy and the Royal Navy.”

This shared fight for freedom was strongly reflected during the ceremony in Clydebank – a place where Polish and British histories intertwine in a unique and meaningful way.

Present in Spirit

Although a delegation from the 3rd Ship Flotilla was unable to attend in person, the letter conveyed a strong sense of unity and presence:

“We are with you in spirit, honouring the heroes of those difficult days.”

These words added a deeply symbolic dimension to the ceremony, showing that remembrance transcends distance and time.

Polish Sue – Guardians of Memory

The reading of the letter by the President of Polish Sue was both an honour and a powerful affirmation of the Association’s role in preserving Polish-British historical heritage.

The Clydebank commemorations, organised in cooperation with the Institute of National Remembrance, marked another important step in strengthening historical awareness and passing it on to future generations.

A Memory That Obliges

Rear Admiral Ogrodnik’s message stood as a reminder that history is not only about the past, but also about responsibility:

“Preserving this historical memory and passing it on to future generations is our shared responsibility.”

In Clydebank – a town marked by both tragedy and heroism – these words carried particular weight.

Thanks to initiatives such as the unveiling of the ORP Piorun plaque, the memory of Polish sailors lives on – not only in archives, but in the hearts of people on both sides of the North Sea.

More on the link below:

https://youtu.be/Ocfyi1yFqyA?is=pQONcS5FPH7jiXmI

Photos/Text: Polish Sue