The Extraordinary Voyage of the Polish Submarine Orzeł

[@SilverScotia]

Thank you for bringing the story of the Orzeł to KZbin. My father, Antoni Szymczak, was on the submarine during the escape from Tallin. He was hospitalised in Rosyth when the Orzeł sailed on its final voyage which is the only reason I am here today. He felt survivor guilt for the rest of his life for "deserting" his crew mates. He had spoken about the terror of being in the sub and hearing depth charges exploding around you, not knowing if the next one would rip through the hull and kill everyone. He died about 30 years ago in the town he made his home after the war, Dundee, Scotland. One interesting feature in the design of the submarine was the two rotating torpedo tubes that could be positioned independently from the ship, allowing them to fix on a target without turning the whole submarine. I was told that the Orzeł was out on testing maneuvers when Germany invaded and were given orders not to return to port. I was not aware of any attack before they reached Tallin. Kłoczkowski had taken sick and headed towards the then neutral port of Tallin. Many people labelled Kłoczkowski as a coward but my father disagreed and said that Kłoczkowski was genuinely ill. The Estonians wanted all the latest technology from the submarine and were stripping it completely. During the removal of the radio the crew faked a short circuit and sparks and convinced the guards that it would best to put the radio back to repair it before it was removed. After the charts were confiscated, one of the crew drew new ones from memory that they used during the escape. The cat and mouse chase last for almost 30 days. My father related this part towards the end of the journey. "It was an inky night, lashed by rain sleet and hail when we approached Malmo at the southern tip of Sweden, but these conditions were perfect for our purpose. We had ‘doctored’ our engine to make it sound like the two-stroke of a fishing boat. To heighten this impression in the dark we were three quarters submerged, making the Orzeł look the size of a fishing boat. We came upon two German destroyers, with searchlights, they were checking shipping in the narrow channel. They had blocked it with booms, and here and there were small minefields. We moved in behind a merchant naval ship and followed it closely to see what the procedure was. Suddenly a loud clang of something striking our hull outside caused panic. We thought we had struck a mine. There was no explosion and we realised we were aground, The electric motors took us off, then we stopped the motors and had a conference. Our acting commander was Jan Grudziński in his late twenties, but he had a baby face and looked more like eighteen. He decided we should go through with our original plan, make up on the merchantman and try to slip through. This was agreed. As we approached the destroyers, one on each side of the channel, we were all wearing life jackets. The searchlights switched on and the whole channel seemed to be bathed in blinding light. Somebody hissed 'Say your prayers and jump overboard now’ Before anyone could move, the lights were extinguished. We could hardly believe it. We got nearer and nearer the boom which had been opened for the ship in front of us. The searchlights were switched on and off again. WE WERE THROUGH!"

[@stevejordan7275]

I homestayed in Scotland with a Pole, Henryk Chmiel, who had escaped from Auschwitz with his brother. But he alone made it to the UK's saftey, living in Wishaw. Generous with his home, his knowledge and his time. I didn't know enough to ask more, and stupidly thought it kinder not to bring it up. Big mistake. Thanks so much for sharing Antoni's story!

[@kerriwilson7732]

Written like a good novel; compelling!

[@callumWAW]

This is an amazing story, thank you for sharing it! Few people outside of Poland realise the role of the small Polish navy in WW2. For example, hardly anyone knows the role of the Polish destroyer Piorun during the hunt for Bismarck (The Piorun was the first ship to reestablish contact with the Bismarck after it was "lost" by the Royal Navy and it tracked Bismarck for over an hour, trading shots with it until joined by HMS Cossack and other RN destroyers), or how the Blyskawica practically saved Cowes on the Isle of Wight from a Luftwaffe bombing raid.

[@SilverScotia]

@@callumWAW My father was assigned to the Błyskawica for about 5 months in 1944. The ship is now a floating museum in Gdynia. I visited it in 2015, I was amazed how many visitors still go there. There is section below decks that displays the Orzeł story, I saw my father's name there as part of the crew. I donated some of my father's documents and medals to the museum.

[@evilmoif]

I'm curious as to how those independent torpedo tubes operated. Do you know anything else about them?

[@susanc4622]

Thank you for this story. At school in Australia , we were taught that the Polish military were completely outclassed by the Germans and were fighting tanks with cavalry. I knew about the airmen who flew out and had a squadron in Britain because many of them migrated to Australia after the war. I knew nothing about the navy nor the gold reserves. I think that not enough emphasis is given to the fact that Poland was fighting two invading armies at the same time. The Poles were brave, intrepid people and it was a tragedy that Russia was able to retain control of their country after the war. Many of those airmen have died without ever having contact with family, again.

[@piotrmalewski8178]

I know it's an old comment but just had to adress this; 'fighting tanks with cavalry' - I'm guessing they didn't mention that Polish cavalry was armed with effective (for the time) 37mm anti-tank guns, Bofors 40mm autocannons, 75mm field guns and anti-tank rifles. Some units were effectively tank-destroyer infantry with increased mobility rather than cavalry. Those that weren't were mainly used as high-mobility infantry. The anti-tank tactic was to use mounted troops to scout the area, provoke the enemy and pretend withdraw to lure them into anti-tank trap. As for the disastrous result of the campaign, it was, like you said, an attack from all sides, but also a political problem. High command was aware that from military perspective they should have formed defences around a center ring inside the country, but politically they were afraid that if Poland doesn't show off a fight for the its western lands, Hitler could take them without fight, then ask for peace and France and Great Britain would grant it like they did to Czechs. So the whole defence plan was made not with military effectiveness in mind, but rather with showing the world there can be no borders negotiations. Then, what is rarely mentioned, there was a problem with cowardice of some generals. Many had mental breakdowns or didn't execute orders out of fear which disorganized the entire defence and was a main cause of the fall of the Bzura counteroffensive. While low and mid-rank officers and frontline soldiers were determined and heroic, the generals were 50:50 determined competent soldiers, and incompetent cowards. Despite these issues and shortcommings, the German invasion was just about collapse and stall when the Soviet Union invaded and finished the job. Despite all shortcomings and issues, the Polish army probably would have been able to hang on for few months in the Red Army didn't attack.

[@susanc4622]

@@piotrmalewski8178 That’s an interesting comment. No, I didn’t know about the mounted guns. Possibly, my teachers were influenced by Hollywood!

[@piotrmalewski8178]

@@susanc4622 Glad if you enjoyed my comment. I think it was a regular school simplification. Yes, our ancestors were not fools and they actually had adequate anti-tank weapons and tactics. The biggest issue for cavalry was not that sabres were not effective against tanks, but that the Germans had air domination, and that many units did not have enough of anti-tank weapons. We were aware of the problem, we just didn't have funds to turn enough cavalry units into tank-destroyers units in time. On the other hand, there were a few cavalry units that in reality were fully German-style tank units. They were just called cavalry because they were reorganised from cavalry units, but they used tanks instead. At the end of the day I think that school simplification does disserivice (in any country), instead of pointing the actual source of disadvantage (political, economical etc), just says 'backward' but gives no explanation why it would be.

[@michaelmacaulay8074]

My Polish father fought in France and then from UK bases during WW2. He was injured twice but recovered and luckily survived the war.

[@normangerring4645]

Another story that deserves to be remembered, thank you. This was the first I heard of the Polish subs of WW2.

[@josemoreno3334]

Me Too. God Bliss those Brave Men of the Orzel. God Bliss Poland.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

@@josemoreno3334 - Religion fuels all the mass murdering/wars...

[@charlesroberts3650]

@@BuzzLOLOL Greed and avarice using "religion" as a cover and an excuse.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

@@charlesroberts3650 - Religion is one of the most vicious, greedy, hate-inducing, mass murdering things on the planet...

[@charlesroberts3650]

@@BuzzLOLOL "As you would that others do unto you, do unto them also"

[@Ken11235813]

The morning, minutes after I finished viewing this, our cleaning lady arrived, and since she’s Polish, I started this video for her. Within seconds she said, “Oh, the Eagle!” She recognized it almost immediately. So this bit of history is not entirely forgotten!

[@gregszy8575]

Sure. It is the legend.

[@vampricitendency]

Almost everyone in or from Poland knows about this submarine.

[@charlesmichaels6648]

@@vampricitendency Share the story....

[@bullet1544]

Legend

[@TSemasFl]

I read this story a long time ago in Military History magazine. Truly an amazing story, and the first officer was a brilliant man. I wish we could have done more for Poland at the time. But everything happened so fast, and by the time we could actually fight a war, their fate was sealed. RIP brave Orzel crew, may one day you be found and honored.

They are honored, found or not.

[@TSemasFl]

@ yeah I get that, but when they're found, they'll be even more honored and with a place to do more honoring.

[@moparsquid]

my grandmother was born in Poland and I'm very proud to say that

[@funny3scene]

moparsquid polock

[@mouija1450]

Great video. As the first son of my Polish family to be born in the US, I'm very proud that my country never gave up on their quest for independence during WW2. The subsequent Russian influence was horrible for my family. Only my father's side immigrated to the US, and he brought my mother over in marriage shortly after serving as a fighter mechanic in the US Navy during Vietnam, but my mother's side of the family stayed in Poland. I met my maternal grandparents and great grandmother once, and never met my uncle or cousins in Poland, but I do stay in touch with my cousin's daughter on Facebook, who is into art, photography and punk/alternative music, the same as myself. She enjoys the American slang and free English lessons. I think she's a very cool kid with a bright, free future. The only minor problem that i have with the video is the pronunciation of the ship. I understand that Polish is a difficult language and just want to offer you the correct pronunciation. In American English, the closest phonetic pronunciation I can offer through text would be "ush-zow". I can see how Polish can be very difficult and nonsensical to English speakers. I'm never upset about people butchering my surname. I expect it, and get a kick out of people actually trying. If you come within range of it, I'll give you a high five. Only my high school latin teacher ever got it right first try, and I was speechless.

[@blackstone777]

Some of the fiercest fighters of the Allies, and good reason for it. Through Poland's history, it is a place fought over countless times. Russians, Germans, Tartars, Mongols, Ottomans, etc.

The Poles, too, once had an empire. I do not admire empires, but I salute the Poles for their valor against the Germans. I don't know if Gdansk was a major port during WWII, but it is now. Lech Walesa started the end of the Soviet empire there, as a trade unionist.

[@mark_sugar42]

Don’t forget the Swedes!

[@nautifella]

Building Submarines with Beer Money. The single most perfect military expenditure of the war. RIP brothers. Sailor, rest your oar When your final dive is made, and your battery's running low, You'll know there lies a boat for you many fathoms here below, With your annunciators jammed on full and your depth gauge needles bent, Your accumulator's dry of oil and your air banks all are spent, It's then you get to wonderin', "is my life's boat rigged for dive?" Your guessing drill commences, "am i dead or still alive?" You pace the flooded decks with scorn and curse the flaws of man. Into realms of rex you've stepped, and here you'll make your stand. To live your life, as sailors must, at the bottom of the sea. There's one you'll have to reckon-that one, my friend, is thee. Will your conscience do you justice when the final muster's in? Did you lead the kind of life you should in every port you've been? The answers to these questions and many, many more, Are locked in the hearts of sailormen from Cannes to Singapore. So, when your day for mast rolls 'round. the choice is up to you, Sailor chart your course of life right now. chart it straight and true. Now's the time to flood your tanks and trim up 'fore and aft. It's a trifle late when the klaxon sounds to square away your craft. Your final billet lies below, on "old ocean's" floor. So, be ready when that last word's passed. Sailor, rest your oar!

[@Seamus322]

Who wrote that? I'm an ex-USN sub sailor- it's great!

[@juststeve5542]

@@Seamus322 Seems to have some links to Leslie Nelson Jennings, but I can't find if it's directly attributed to him.

[@nautifella]

@@Seamus322 I could not find the name of the author. I copied it from the goatlocker and even there it was unattributed.

[@markbowles2382]

thats beautiful nautifella, thank you so much for that post - sounds like it was written by someone in the silent service, thanks again.

[@oldgoat142]

nautifella I can't explain in coherent terms just what that did to me right at this precise moment in time, but that hit me like a heavyweight champ's straight right hand to my face, but in a good way. Anybody who's ever lost shipmates at sea, but especially the sub guys, knows what I'm talking about. Yeah, the Goat Locker. Man, thank you so very, very much for posting this. It's a personal reminder to me that even though I've been separated from my beloved service, warts and all, for a number of years, I still bleed navy blue-and-gold. My thoughts and prayers for those who serve on the sea.

[@artgriggs3062]

My father, who served aboard various US Navy ships in WWII, was a student of the war's submarine activities. He briefly told me of the Orzel and its escape to England at the start of hostilities in 1939. Your video has given me the sub's story in memorable detail and I thank you for that. The treaty that enabled ships and subs of warring nations to harbor in neutral ports, some times simultaneously, also made for intrigue in South America.

[@orwellboy1958]

At the IWM. Duxford there is a plaque to the memory of the first Polish pilot killed there, I always make a point of visiting it and bowing my head in respect. I am ashamed of the way our government treated them after the war to appease Stalin, it was disgusting that they were denied a place in the British victory celebrations.

After you, put your greatcoat on and march to Moscow.

[@orwellboy1958]

@ so comrade are you a fully paid up member of the communist party?

[@kobusg7460]

Me myself, living in Africa: In my youth, I was told and believed that Churchill was a war hero. After learning more (thank the gods for the - for now- 'unedited' internet), I have come to think of Churchill as a warmonger. I'm no fan of Uncle Adolf, but I am coming to think Genl Patton was (part) right when he said: "We have beaten the wrong man"; he wanted to take out Stalin and communism; same as Uncle Adolf. Meanwhile Churchill was crowned "UK hero" and he was okay with that, leaving Uncle Joseph to over-run many countries (incl Poland) and kill many people...

[@BuzzLOLOL]

@@kobusg7460 - We beat the right guy/people... Patton was just a semi-Hitlerite sympathizer...

[@neilwilson5785]

Geopolitics is nasty sometimes. The UK dumped Czechoslovakia in 1938, the Russians sided with the Nazis in 1939, Vietnam was betrayed by the French and USA post WW2 leading to carnage. It's sad.

[@Tmrfe0962]

Valor. By the truest sense of the word. Men of Valor. Bless them all. Those who sacrificed for a greater good.

[@MrHyde-zy6ry]

Right on Mr. Murphy.

[@timshelby2324]

That boat and her crew are still on patrol as far as I'm concerned, heroes in this world and the next.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

Yes... hopefully they just went into hiding to escape all the corruption all around...

[@notsosilentmajority1]

Tim Shelby That's a great way to look at it. Well said.

[@michamcv.1846]

they didnt sink 1 military ship .... heroes ....

[@JoshuaTootell]

Referred to as 'Eternal Patrol'

[@rosemarienikkels5345]

Yes I believe! God bless Poland.

[@perihelion7798]

Millions of people fought in WWII. No doubt there will be thousand of stories of heroism that will never be told because they are unknown, and will remain unknown. Thank you for bringing forth this one. It certainly deserves to be remembered.

[@robajohnson]

An excellent example of Forgotten history thank you for helping us to remember it

[@tinamclaughlin1991]

Wow! And never found. Sad ending to such adventure in a bad time. Thank You for enlightening us!

[@jamiesmith143]

Hello form Pulaski, Wis, Great job as always! A very interesting story. I'm VERY proud to be Polish.

[@DonkeyHammer]

Thank you for bringing us this account, as a former submariner these accounts have special value to me.

[@juliesadler6481]

@user16821 Thank you for your service!

[@ddd3240]

One of the best of the best videos you have done. Enjoyed it immensely.

[@jamesschafer6037]

You have such a talent for presenting these bits of history I'm always excited when I see one of your videos in my feed.

[@charliemansonUK]

Hello there, the Poles never gave up still haven't. An amazing forgotten piece of history Thank you Peace Charlie UK 🇬🇧

[@ystoobme]

The war ended in May 1945, do I sense a joke here.

[@charliemansonUK]

@@ystoobme No, not at all. They never truly accepted Soviet rule and are currently trying to hold back the tide of the European Union imposing its rules by political and financial pressure.

[@conveyor2]

@@ystoobme The Poles started a new war on the German residents of Silesia and Pomerania in May 1945 that went on for two years.

[@darekjaskulski3375]

EU actually it is communists state. Marxism agenda spread all over western Europe.

[@dasboot5903]

To the idiot called @@conveyor2

[@royalsbaseball5180]

They served they country well. They didn’t give up, they kept on trying.

[@colinp2238]

Say what you will but the Polish did a lot to fight in the war, whereas the French? DeGaulle only criticised the British whilst given shelter in England and never forgave them for all his life.

[@davidlyon1899]

@@colinp2238 i feel shame that england was not able to do more for poland,but we were able to do something.every other country did eff all.except the french,they at least declared war on germany with us.de gaulle was an ungrateful shit but he did fight.war is not pretty.it is easy to criticize.

[@mmabagain]

They served their country well. They didn’t give up, they kept on trying. Indeed they did.

[@georgeb8701]

@@mmabagain As a proud U.S. NAVY veteran, I Salute those sailors. They fought bravely and well. It's a story that needs to be told. A tribute to the tradition of fighting ships and the crews who sail aboard them. ✌🏻🇺🇸

[@Flaktower-expert]

Obviously not, that sub crew is still on that smoke break

[@RADARTechie]

"uploaded 4 minutes ago" best part of the day so far.

[@ppumpkin3282]

Getting Poland’s gold reserves out of Poland ahead of the Germans woulld be a good story.

[@redshirt5126]

Someone should make make a movie out of this story!

[@gregszy8575]

Actually it is not that exciting story, though quite interesting. To the attention of Mr History Guy, this story is somewhere on KZbin but in Polish language Ask the authors and they would certainly will be ready to translate the story and give it to you. If any problem I would volunteer to help you in this matter. Another and this time very exciting story from Polish contribution in the victory in the WW2 is story of German encrypting/decrypting machine ENIGMA. The Enigma code has been cracked by 3 young Polish mathematicians of the Dept. of Cryptography of Polish Army General Staff. I t has been done before war and results has been shared with French and British Intelligence Services.

[@dasboot5903]

@@redshirt5126

[@andersforsgren3806]

@@gregszy8575 Hmm I do not quite agree, I found it very interesting. :) And indeed, it were the Polish mathematicians who cracked the 3 wheel variety of the Enigma - a fact sometimes forgotten in the story of Henchley park. Though a TV program I did see some time back did indeed mention them and how the information were smuggled to England.

[@icemule]

@@andersforsgren3806 www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/03/15/polish-codebreakers-cracked-enigma-before-alan-turing/

[@carbonhelix1686]

Nigdy nie zapomnimy bohaterów matki Polska. (We will never forget the heroes of mother Poland). Thank you for this video.

[@polishboy375]

Dziehuje Carbon

[@carbonhelix1686]

@@polishboy375 z przyjemnością

[@mountainhobo]

11:15 [Henryk Kłoczkowski, former captain of Orzeł convicted and dismissed from the Navy] - It bears adding that while he was unsuccessful in his later appeals, he joined US Merchant Marine and served on the Liberty ships in the convoys across Atlantic. While he may have had his doubts initially about the war, we cannot know today, but no one can accuse him of a lack of courage, as service in the convoys was no picnic. After the war he lived in Portsmouth, NH and worked in a submarine shipyard. He passed away in 1962.

[@orangelion03]

Thank you for "the rest of the story".

[@6Sally5]

Amazing!

[@makorek]

so Poland was right he was a traitor

[@mountainhobo]

According to the various testimonies court determined he wanted the sub to be interned in a neutral port. That amounted according to the court to attempted desertion, not treason. I cannot read people's minds. He always denied it. Many people in those days had their doubts. Some still thought it was going to be like WWI, with some protocol and gallantry. Few believed it was going to become a war of attempted genocide on Poles and Jews. Perhaps seeing how overwhelming the odds were, he wanted to save his crew from a pointless exercise? I don't know. One thing is known, once the full horror of it became known, he signed up for convoy duty and served through the war.

[@doctorsartorius]

One thing I didn't understand was this: Kłoczkowski was the captain of the Orzel. In the beginning of the video the narrator said that Grudzinski was the captain. Why the discrepancy?

[@MultiKruczek]

@The History Guy: History Deserves to Be Remembered Good one, thank you. Greetings from Poland!

[@MACLAD6666]

My Grandfather was on the ORP GROM and my Great Uncle was on the ORP BLYSKAWICA both very brave men and i am very proud of what they done for my freedom. Alot of the UK dont have a bloody clue what the polish done for this country and i thank the history guy for making a video to show what these brave men done. Never left a fight until they were out of ammo or low on fuel the captian looked after the crew and left any sinking ship quickly so the men could get another ship and continue the fight, my Grandfather was an engineer and survived the war as did my Great Uncle.

[@Fartsmucker1]

The ORP Blyskawica is still fondly remembered on the Isle of Wight for its defence of Cowes and its shipyards, during a concentrated attack by the Luftwaffe.

[@Bearded_Tattooed_Guy]

Being Norwegian and more than average interested in history, I knew a bit of this history beforehand. Only along the lines of "Polish sub in British service sunk Rio de Janeiro outside of Lillesand around noon on the 8. april 1940, thus starting armed resistance against the German invasion"... Frightfully decent of you to put flesh on the bones, as it were. The Polish contribution to the allied cause can hardly be valued too highly. 500 Poles gave their lifes to take Narvik from the Germans, not to forget the Second Polish Corps at Cassino, to but name a few. And yet no Polish flag flew in the victory parade when the war was won.

[@rorto002]

Den boka kan du finne her, har tilbrakt mange somre på Brekkestø. Veldig god bok om lokal historien rundt Lillesand. www.nb.no/items/URN:NBN:no-nb_digibok_2014070708099

[@AndreAndFriends]

GOD BLESS YOU & STAY HEALTHY 🙏👼

[@yaqppl]

Polish flag flew in Berlin, right next to the soviet one. That's more badass than some London parade I think.

[@jankubiak324]

It is said that the Poles got to the Brandenburg gate first, however the Russian troops that followed just behind them opened fire upon the flag and turned it into "confetti". Then proceeded to to fly their own and celebrate.

[@yaqppl]

@@jankubiak324 well, it's a fairytale, but ther is some truth in this story. Poles were first, but soviets took polish flag, and replaced it with their own. On the next day both flags were there, because of the orders from "above".

[@swamppappy7745]

James Michners, POLAND is a good read. The Poles were way ahead of Europe in the political arena. They just are unfortunate in geography. But, many an army has met their end in Poland. The Germans, Russians, Baltic states, and the Tartars have all learned the Poles are fierce fighters. Thanks for sharing.

[@blackstone777]

Poland: God's playground. I may be an American, but I will never forget my Polish heritage. The bloodline of the Winged Hussars is not dead...

[@Ajourneyofknowing]

Swamp Pappy77 - Geograohy is very important as to the country living on it. A central battleground where the other forces fight on or through.

[@swamppappy7745]

Ajourneyofknowing 1912 exactly.

[@foulanchor9537]

The had the oldest parliament in Europe, the Sejm.

[@Blogengezer]

@@blackstone777 -Without Jan Sobleski's Winged Hussars relentlessly brave intervention, 'The Gates of Austria' would have fallen long ago, leaving Austria a far different demographic. As of today, the Gates are swung wide open by their own welcoming of invasion. Austria, including western Europe, sadly, deserves it's globalist fate.

[@TwoHorndUnicorn]

I love the naval history stories. Thank you for making these videos.

[@sirmartinfrobisher]

I love them too. A few years go, I did some research on HMS Kelly. I was interested in Lord Louis Mountbatten, her captain. The cousin of Queen Elizabeth 2. The ship had a reputation for never ducking a fight. The pictures of her on Google amply prove it. After being attacked on one patrol she was just a totally blackened hulk. Thanks google. As a reader, I loved that he sat in his bridge chair everyday, reading Hornblower.

[@waynebender7720]

RIP to the crew of the Orzel.

[@hshs5756]

The best way to think of submarines is that they sink themselves every time they go to sea. It's never a question of if they will sink, it's a question of will they ever see the surface again. Only the bravest men need apply for this job.

[@Bearded_Tattooed_Guy]

The German Kriegsmarine suffered 75% loss amongst its submariners during WWII Only the bravest need apply indeed.

[@georgeboehringer5530]

Somebody opened the screen door

[@12345sc1]

The Orzel is still going, on it's eternal patrol.

[@Blogengezer]

@@Bearded_Tattooed_Guy- 'Das Boot'.. tells the story of one.

[@lbovee]

Thank you for sharing this piece of history. It seems the U. S. school system is lacking when it comes to the teaching of the sacrifices military men and women from around the world have made to insure our freedom. I am a new subscriber and hope to see you present more history like this. I will also be searching your previous posts.

[@katjagolden893]

My great grandfather left Polska in 1915 (for America) because the Russians came into his town just south of Warsaw & they tattooed him to be in the Russian Army. So he grabbed his sister in the middle of the night to make their way to AmericA. They never spoke to their parents again b/c he was afraid to be found and get his parents in trouble. We ARE a very strong people and proud of that

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

Poland's intelligence services are the ones that cracked enigma.

[@ralph40]

Thank you, I Can' remember the name of the Polish dough wrapped goodies filled with meats,fruits, or vegetables, but they are good

[@katjagolden893]

Ral Ph - The are called paczki. We had them every morning in 1997 when I was in Poland 🇵🇱 for 9 days. My cousins had to get there before 7am because the “disappeared” so fast 💨. 😂

[@januszszymanski4311]

@@JohnRodriguesPhotographer Yes, nice to know there are intelligent people still looking for knowledge. Janusz

[@januszszymanski4311]

@@ralph40 Pierogi

[@bigblue6917]

The highest scoring RAF squadron in the Battle of Britain was 303 squadron which was manned by Polish pilots.

[@maconescotland8996]

@ The RAF had many experienced pilots by the time of the Battle of Britain, having tangled with the Luftwaffe during the French campaign - they claimed over 250 Germans downed over 9 days of Operation Dynamo, the evacuation at Dunkirk. It's a fallacy to say that the bulk were raw novices.

[@TheByQQ]

@ Both were experienced, but Poles gained that experience on slower, less manoeuvrable planes. They had to learn how to squeeze out every drop of potential of their planes to keep up with the Luftwaffles

[@paulmazan4909]

The Core of the RAF was staffed by pilots with a lot of experience however the pilots supplied during the build-up to and during the BOB were not. I think both you and Me hee are correct to a degree on this one. Yes, the Poles were thrilled to get Hurricanes after flying PzL11's in Poland and other obsolete planes in France. This was the first time they were in a plane that was competitive with the 109. According to Kent, the Canadian that lead 303 in his book "One of the Few" the difference was that the British pilots had a far different attitude toward the Germans than the Poles. The British were fighting other skilled pilots and out to destroy the machines. The Poles hated the Germans on a personal level and were out to kill the people in the planes.

[@maconescotland8996]

@@paulmazan4909 Agreed

[@paulmazan4909]

I was stationed in the London Suburbs for 2 1/2 years (1967-69) at RAF West Ruislip and knew several of the firemen at RAF Northolt. I spent many an evening at the Garden Pub in Ruislip talking to Poles that never went home and served at Northolt during the War. The Poles and the Scotts seem to have had a natural affinity for each other and got on well. The Poles also warmed up to the English once they learned that they were going to fight the Germans, unlike the French who fought and then gave up with half the country still unconquered. The Irish were a totally different story and the Irish Guards that provided security at Northolt had to be transferred elsewhere when things got to the point that some shots were exchanged between them and some of the Poles on base.

[@edschermer]

An interesting insight into Polish culture that would surface decades later in the rise against communism imposed by the Soviets

[@HoH]

Incredible that they even managed to bring the Polish gold reserves..

[@Joonaskaa]

Yup. That is amazing. Estonian reserve got taken by the Soviets. Even though it was moved to the UK when the war started, it got given back to them by the Brits with all private assets of Estonian people that were stored in the UK after the war ended and the occupation started. Grandfather always told stories of the wealth his uncle and father had accumulated while sailing as merchants but it got given to the soviets. I am sure there are nuances that he wasn't aware of but always made him think "what could have been"

[@gpwgpw555]

House of History , The History Guy should do a vid about the US Sub that brought the Philippine gold out of the Philippines. There is an episode of " The Silent Service " about it but I can't remember witch sub did the mission.

[@Joonaskaa]

gpwgpw555 yes pls !

[@gregszy8575]

Yes with great effort most of Polish gold has been brought to England then some of that has been retained by Britain as cost of maintenance of the Polish Army and Polish Gouvernement on exile on the British soil which is morally disputable. Especially in the light that none of Polish Navy Polish, Airforce or Polish ground troops has been used to liberate Poland. Polish pilots were the most numerous just after British in Battle of Britain and the most efficient ones. Ground forces took part in battles i Africa, Italy and in Normandy and Belgium and Holland. And after the war Poland has been sold to Soviets, Sorry, not sold, given to soviets as a gift. See Teheran and Jalta conferences.

[@Joonaskaa]

The sad truth of the eastern countries.

[@jimboAndersenReviews]

A list of lighthouses. Legend, and true.

[@countteddy]

love Polish people...they are so welcome here in the UK........fantastic story....

[@kloss213]

UK hasent been welcoming poles google UK treatment of poles

[@TSemasFl]

The Polski's make great Americans too, they are welcome anytime.

[@BrightonandHoveActually]

@@kloss213 Blame the Brexiteers. Some of us welcome Poles. Some of us remember that Britain declared war on Germany to defend Poland (albeit that Britain failed). Some of us even know that Poland invented its own Enigma machines and provided one to Britain just before the outbreak of war.

[@AndreAndFriends]

@ I did. Thx for spreading ChiComm propaganda.

[@dannyc7839]

All peoples should be welcome everywhere

[@kallekillerapa]

Another great story about the polish submarine fleet is about the three submarines (Sęp, Ryś och Żbik ) that ended up in lake Mälaren just outside Stockholm in Sweden just after the war broke out in 1939. Not quite as daring the the one we were just told about. Thank you History Guy for the best channel on KZbin.

[@ferrarimarek]

Now that is a piece of forgotten history. My father was a partisan fighter and spent the last nine months in a prison camp. He was always proud of being Polish. But he was more than grateful and proud of being a Canadian after immigrating here after the war. It’s difficult to pronounce the name of the submarine correctly so I’ll try to spell it phonetically to help out...ohzew...eagle indeed...flying high

[@VomitPinata]

I just binge-watched about ten of these and subscribed. I love your presentation and the way you manage to fit in all the pertinent facts without the end result feeling rushed. Very well done videos on a ton of neglected or nearly forgotten subjects occupying the shadowy corners of world history. Thanks!

[@alanmoss3603]

The Poles were also ferocious fighters during the Battle of Britain. As a free Englishman I will always be in their debt!

[@josephdupont]

Yes the Polish Pilots were fearless and we're flying inferior aircraft against the Germans and figure out ways to survive fighting those Superior aircraft even before they fill that they use techniques to use their biplanes against their high speed Fighters and bombers very resourceful people

[@sirmeowthelibrarycat]

Alan Moss Indeed so! I live not far from one of the RAF airfields where Polish squadrons were based. Nearby is the Polish War Memorial. After the war many Polish people stayed in my part of London where they are most welcome.

[@conveyor2]

@ Well said!

[@josephdupont]

They never compare the hurricane against the me-109 the always compare the Spitfire against the me-109 because he the hurricane was basically easy to build it didn't require as much resources as the Spitfire so therefore it did help in the war but it was not a preferred plane to be in when you're up against the measure Messerschmitt or the folk wolf

[@josephdupont]

Search Results Hurricane or Spitfire The Spitfire and Bf 109E were well-matched in speed and agility, and both were somewhat faster than the Hurricane. The slightly larger Hurricane was regarded as an easier aircraft to fly and was effective against Luftwaffe bombers.

[@NightOwlPal]

Thank you for another wonderful video. My family and I always look forward to watching you bring forgotten and unknown history to us.

[@oldesertguy9616]

I had heard about this before but I enjoyed hearing it again, especially in your unique way of presenting it.

[@painterdood2484]

These stories are often the best part of my week. Thanks a bunch!

[@mo59602]

Another brilliant episode, Mr HG. Please consider doing an episode on San Francisco's Barbary Coast and the "Ducks" an Australian gang that took over the area for a while until removed by vigilantes. We are all aware of many immigrant gangs - but this was the first mention of Australian gangs in the US that I have seen. Thanks again for your wonderful work.

[@eddiepires3998]

Fascinating, thoroughly enjoyed your video. Were it not for your video, this story could quite simply slip away and be forgotten .

[@georgemckenna462]

So little of the true history of this country and it's contributions to mankind is talked about.

[@georgemckenna462]

@Anthony Roic We should all consider ourselves lucky to exist. Each country has it's own unique legacy. Poland's true history just happens to be repressed. It can be accessed but it has not been easy.

[@georgemckenna462]

@@hyfy-tr2jy Ewa Kurek's; Polish -Jewish Relations 1939-1945. Opened my eyes up to a great many things, a must read.

[@samiam619]

Try reading the historical novel “Poland” by James A. Michener. Novel, yes. But very well researched. It shows how the Poles were stabbed in the back by EVERYONE including their own leaders. After reading this, I no longer make Polish jokes. They suffered enough.

[@stasiekpiekarski]

@Anthony Roic Should the solar system consider itself to be lucky to exist as well?

[@hshs5756]

A highly readable account of Poland's history can be found in the book _Poland_ by James Michener. Long live Poland!

[@omgaud]

You have one of the most resourceful, educating, entertaining KZbin channels.

[@rickjones2303]

Great video as always. People need to remember history is the past. You can change it you can only make it.

[@colingibson8018]

Another good one sir, I have read several short stories about this incident also about the fact that while searching for the sub they managed to find a lost British sub ,so by clearing up one mistery. You know as a Brit it has always amazed me that being one of the so called winners of that conflict, we have never tried harder to solve the mystery of our nation's missing . Anyway thanks for your efforts to inform the world's population of the brave actions of of some of the REAL HEROES.

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

R.I.P., crew of the Orzel.

[@favorunmerited]

I love videos where the most information is dispensed concisely in the least period of time. Faving this channel and thumbs up to the video.

[@stasiekpiekarski]

Handmade maps prepared based on signals from lighthouses remembered by the Orzeł navigator Marian Morski are on display in Polish Institute and Sikorski museum in London (20 Prince's Gate, London, SW7 1PT). Kudos for polish diacritical mark in the submarine name "Orzeł"!

[@pawekaczmarek2542]

The funny bit is that when translating navigators surname into english - Marian MORSKI turns into Marian SEA. Talk about destiny ;)

[@Jablicek]

stasiekpiekarski - Thanks for letting us know! I'll take a look next time I'm up that way.

[@1ktb1]

@@pawekaczmarek2542 stasiek made a mistake in surname of lieutenant Mokrski. So no fun for you...

[@JackpineGandy]

splendid video, and as a US submariner I have a particular appreciation of this episode - the streamlining of this sub before the beginning of the war indicates a strong likelihood of other superior characteristics unmentioned, in this boat

[@darylcjackson]

Yet another great story. Thank you Sir for sharing!!

[@cvcoco]

Excellent as usual, thank you so much for a great story.

[@cryptotharg7400]

Poles were totally epic, in WW2. Battle of Britain.

[@vbickford]

Addicted to KZbin, your contributions are a wonderful testment to its value. I'm glad one of your videos came up as a suggestion.

[@therenumerator9198]

No Polish jokes, please. Fascinating as always, best thing so far today. The kind Heroes you hardly ever hear about, a pleasure to hear this fact out of history and the obscure past.

[@Ajourneyofknowing]

The Renumerator - But why?

[@foulanchor9537]

Ironically, I have heard about every Polish joke there is. I am not Polish, but I was a Polish linguist in the navy so I caught the butt of all the Polish jokes. Sadly the jokes falsely stereotype the Polish as dumb and stupid. Anyone ever hear of Chopin, or Kopernicus? Brilliant mathematicians and cryptographers. Just damned good engineers and scientists. Known as the best field artillerists in Europe since the 17th century. Tough neighborhood between Czarist Russia, Austria and Germany who partitioned Poland and extinguished the Polish nation.

[@Ajourneyofknowing]

Fouled Anchor - Yes I did hear of those people. But what, should we ban jokes on the Poles. What about other countries like Vietnam, China, India, France, Scotland, or Israel. Are jokes on countries that strugged for self independence too taboo

[@vonstroop9866]

@@foulanchor9537 In western Canada, it was Ukrainian jokes. I laughed at the jokes but never held it against them. They were some very tough, good hard working people that helped open up the Northwest in the pioneer days.

[@AndreAndFriends]

@@foulanchor9537 thx brother.

[@westernjeep4015]

You are an asset to the study and preservation of history, as well as to this medium. Outstanding work.

[@phillipflannigan4021]

there's just a few less interesting stories you put out, but I'm still at the edge of my seat to the end!! Good job on keeping me rivited 😊

[@Adam-if3zd]

Excellent. I have been to the presentation and talk about the Orzel at the Polish club in London. I'm so pleased people are putting so much effort into solving this mystery .

[@ShuttleFactoryScaleModels]

amazing episode History Guy! thank you for covering this incredible story. Until know I was only aware of the service of exiled Polish ground & air forces with the British. Its also nice you mentioned polish service to the royal navy . As for the brave crew of the Orzel I hope an acclaimed maritime archaeologist like Dr Robert Ballard can find the wreck & uncover the fate of her crew

[@1allanbmw]

I used to live in Holland many years ago. I find it interesting that the Dutch built this ship. They used to be, and still are, great ship builders. As so many have noted, the Polish who were able to fight against Germany from England were fierce. There was an Allied operation in Holland called Operation Market Garden, the largest parachute drop ever of troops. I'm afraid it was a disaster, mainly due to a Panzer group north of Arnhem resting up after fleeing Belgium. This operation was made in to a movie with an all-star cast in the late '70's called, "A Bridge Too Far". I used to cross that same bridge every day. And the reason I mention it, is because along with American and British forces, there were Polish troops as well. They are a proud people. I enjoyed my time in Poland very much. It's too bad the Orzel disappeared so mysteriously.

[@petertoczek1343]

Thank you all for the kind words about polish fighters during WWII and beyond. Check out the incredible story of the polish destroyer Piorun, taking on Bismarck. Taking Monte Casino by polish units is a good one as well.

[@1MahaDas]

Wow! I wasn't aware that Poland even had a navy during this period! This is a great wartime story and it deserves its place in history. Thank you for your research and your conscientious recounting of the event!

[@MitchMaker]

ironic, i am currently building a model of the orzel by cobi

[@BGone-mb7wz]

Baeder meinhoff...

[@113dmg9]

You are very talented on numerous levels in your delivery of information.

[@evanames5940]

I never knew, which is why I like this channel and support it.

[@erictaylor5462]

There are so many stories about heroes from both sides that we never hear about you could have an entire channel dedicated to history that deserves to be remembered just for the time from about 1935 to 1945. Thank you for these stories.

[@walterdavis4808]

The polish air force got to englnd too. They had the highest kill ratio in p 40s during the battle of brittain

[@keptinkaos6384]

nope hurricanes watch the movie battle of Brittan

[@Galvars]

Taking in to account no Polish squadron flew P-40's then it is for sure a great achievement...

[@keptinkaos6384]

@@Galvars the RAF did have a version but they all went as far as I know to north Africa and maybe Burma.

[@Galvars]

@@keptinkaos6384 It had, Polish pilots did transfer them on Takoradi-Kair route and then some of them join 112 Sqn. and flew some combat missions. But there was not a single Polish Squadron that used P-40's of any type. And for sure not in times of BoB.

[@walterdavis4808]

@@Galvars some one else pointed out my error, hurricanes. So sotty

[@gregszy8575]

Thank you for this episode. As a Polish-Canadian, I wanted to check if I need to comment anything and almost nothing need to be added. One thing which is still speculation rather than official theory is that Orzeł has been sunk by "friendly fire" as there is some reports of sinking supposedly German u-boot in the time and the area where Orzeł disappeared.

[@thefattymcgee5801]

You do the coolest little stories from history

[@tardis9905]

Excellent! Thanks for sharing another fascinating historical event.

[@christopherlynch3314]

I love the way the Poles named their subs.

Not very nautical, I'm afraid.

[@piotrd.4850]

@ Indeed - bit of ex-Russian (pre Soviet) influence, I'm afraid.

[@charlottemace1810]

YOU ALWAYS BRING OUT SUCH REMOTE STORIES THAT JUST TWEET MY INTEREST AND KNOWLEDGE. THANK YOU.

[@detroitredneckdetroitredne6674]

Thank you for telling the history that are books failed to reveal

[@Ajourneyofknowing]

DETROITREDNECK DETROITREDNECK - How?

[@jillhill5421]

James once again sir I would love to see a documentary on yourself you got great history that you are proud of and I'd love to have the honor to be a viewer of such magnitude thank you peace

[@LarS1963]

Great episode. Thank you.

[@tombroder9815]

At 10:27 > I noticed the change of inflection in your voice when you mentioned Polish Gold Reserves... there must be a story.. Thanks as always a great story worth remembering.

[@TheMosinCrate]

Even the kriegsmarine would be impressed by the Orzel. Thanks for this amazing history. RIP Orzel

[@diverdownaaron]

I don't know about the Polish submarine service. However, in the American submarine service, no sub is lost. It is considered to be "still on patrol". Fair Winds and following Seas, Orzel.

[@oldgoat142]

@@diverdownaaron Well said. That's how they're always remembered. Still on patrol. I join you in that salute. Fair winds and following seas, Orzel.

[@davidrenton]

to be fair the kriegsmarine wasn't all that, out of the main combatants, it ranked 4th outta 5.It had little significance in the war, even the U-boat menace was#nt the threat it was out to be.

[@rabarba6]

@@diverdownaaron in Poland we say that "they left for an eternal watch"

[@stuartharper3968]

Another great and professional presentation. I have been reading and watching WW2 history for over 50 years and The History Gun keeps presenting new material, many thanks for keeping history enjoyable and interesting!!

[@AlphaGator9]

I really enjoy your channel! Thank you for sharing your work. :) I especially love the History Cat. ;)

[@JimCTSCLO]

This is what makes your stories so great. Keep up the great work.

[@shawnr771]

Must have been nerve racking to navigate without charts.

[@MrStanislav]

They made their own using a map of lighthouses, collective memory of the area and a pencil. If someone was terryfied, these were German ship capitans operating in the Baltic area, when received news that a Polish submarine is on a hunt in the Baltic.

[@markhonerbaum9874]

I was just foruntante to be able to listen and learn from the Professor of history worth remembering,a great time with a lot of recall.

[@williamswenson5315]

Or the role of Polish mathematicians in deciphering the German military's secret coding device, Enigma.

[@albertwolanski7688]

Also delivered unexploded V2 to the British

[@williamswenson5315]

@@albertwolanski7688 Yes, another case that isn't recognized very often. The British did have most of a V-1 that managed a more-or-less decent crash landing without the electric fuse detonating, but intact, is intact. The information from the two V-2s was sent to the US where it was used to produce a copy known as the "Loon" which was produced by the Ford Motor Co. There is one on display at the NASM annex in Chantilly, MD.

[@camoman1437]

Another fantastic story! I'm so glad I found your channel.

[@tomn.9879]

Great story. Thank you. Shame the crew was lost.

[@grosbeakmc]

I have know about this story since childhood, when family friends gave me a book for Christmas called Adventure Stories for Boys. One of the stories was The Escape of the Orzel. We knew these folks, he in the foreign service, from early in the 70s when my father, then in the Canadian military, took a secondment to external affairs that led to a two-year posting to China. When I got the book in 1979, we were living in Germany, and our friends joined us for Christmas. It was a short drive from their posting... in Poland. Thank you for bringing life and detail to this wonderful story. It certainly deserves to be remembered.

[@Mishn0]

You could do a show on another Polish ship that served in WWII. The M/S Batory. She was a luxury cruise liner that was enlisted as an amphibious assault ship and for one, participated in the invasion of Sicily. I believe she embarked the 1st Canadian Division for that action. I have built a model of her.

[@gmcjimmy3580]

I love stories like this , thank you for sharing these stories with the world.

[@Jessewren1968]

Another great video. I'd love to see you do one on the Salton Sea.

[@gorg8882]

Brilliant as always! Only found this two days ago and I'm obsessed!

[@johnd6646]

Great Story. Like fighter pilots, submariners generally died in combat rather than survive to tell the tale. Polish people are clearly nationalist, and this is a strength in the Eurozone. After evading domination by both Soviets and Nazis, they have managed to retain their ethos, and are with Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic, the future of Europe.

[@shalicgraw5280]

So glad your channel is doing well. Keep it up!

[@jaewok5G]

since the middle ages, the poles have been a beacon of fortitude in defense of civilization and liberty time and time again.

[@notsosilentmajority1]

jim ewok Yes sir, and they (along with Hungary) are leading the way in Europe today. 👍

[@jaewok5G]

please enjoy this commemorative croissant

[@notsosilentmajority1]

@@jaewok5G Thank you. 🥐

[@sq5ebm]

yet we are met with fierce attacks for not subduing, for not surrendering our values to the new, western overlords.

[@sq5ebm]

@@notsosilentmajority1 Magyars were, are and hopefully will be the ones in the whole Europe we can call brothers. The respect and friendship towards them, the memory of their help, the memory of their loyality towards us is passed from one genration to another. I am 40, grew up with grand parents who fought in the WW2 and they passed on to my parents and to me that respect of the Hungarian people. There is a national proverb here, that dates many centuries old en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pole_and_Hungarian_brothers_be We teach our kids that.

[@jillhill5421]

That was quite interesting the captain on that sub that's a leader that's what the world needs more of. I thank you for your time and effort 2 research the documentary of History and to share it much appreciated sir. With love James