Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Second World War honorary Operation “Torch” D.S.M. group of nine awarded to Engineman Chief Petty Officer M. Maslakowski, Free Polish Navy

Poland, Cross of Valour, with Bar; Poland, Cross of Merit, 3rd Class, with swords; Poland, Cross of Merit, 3rd Class, without swords; Poland, Navy Active Service Medal; Great Britain, Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (404/A. M. Maslakowski, En./C.P.O.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1943-43; War Medal 1939-45, together with original Polish Navy embroidered cap badge, and wartime tunic ribands, good very fine and better (10) £3000-3500

Mieczyslaw Maslakowski was awarded the D.S.M. for his gallantry in the Polish ship Błyskawica during an enemy aircraft attack at Bougie on 12 November 1943. In common with other honorary awards, however, no announcement was made in the London Gazette, but the following recommendation survives:

‘He showed courage and initiative as always in dealing with action damage. He was largely responsible for the Engine Room Department for the safe handling of the ship in action at Bougie.’


On 7 September 1939, Błyskawica made contact with and attacked a U-Boat, possibly the first combat between the Allied and the German fleets. In early May 1940, Błyskawica took part in the Norwegian campaign, shelling German positions and downing two Luftwaffe aircraft. Her sister ship Grom was bombed and sunk during the campaign. Later that month, she took part in covering “Operation Dynamo”.

Błyskawica thereafter participated in convoy and patrol duties, engaging both U-Boats and the Luftwaffe in the Atlantic and Mediterranean - in 1941 her 120 mm. guns were replaced with British 4-inch anti-aircraft guns. The ship was also given escort duties for troop transports, notably R.M.S. Queen Mary, and was one of the few ships that could keep up with the liner.

On the night of 4-5 May 1942, Błyskawica was instrumental in defending the Isle of Wight town of Cowes from an air raid by 160 German bombers. The ship was undergoing an emergency refit at the J. Samuel White yard where she was built and, on the night of the raid, fired repeated rounds at the German bombers from outside the harbour, her guns becoming so hot they had to be doused with water. Extra ammunition had to be ferried over from Portsmouth. This forced the bombers to stay high, making it hard for them to target properly. The ship also laid down a smokescreen hiding Cowes from sight. The town and the shipyard were badly damaged, but it is generally accepted that without this defensive action, it would have been far worse. In 2002 the crew's courage was honoured by a local commemoration lasting several days to mark the 60th anniversary of the event. In 2004 an area of Cowes was named Francki Place in honour of the ship's commander.

In March 1943 Błyskawica replaced H.M.S. Lightning, which sunk on 12 March 1943, in Cruiser Force ‘Q’ based in Bône, North Africa. On 8 June 1944, Błyskawica took part in the Battle of Ushant against Kriegsmarine destroyers.

During the war, she logged 146,000 nautical miles and escorted eighty-three convoys. In combat she damaged three U-boats, helped sinking other ships and shot down at least four aircraft.

In late 1945 and early 1946, the Błyskawica along with the destroyer H.M.S. Onslow took part in Operation Deadlight, the scuttling of over 100 German U-Boats.

After the war, she returned to Poland. Since May 1976, she has served as a museum ship in Gdynia, replacing Burza. In July 2006, Błyskawica was "twinned" with the Canadian destroyer H.M.C.S. Haida in a ceremony in Gdynia. Both ships served in the 10th Destroyer Flotilla during the War. The ceremony was attended by former crew members of both ships and the general public. A similar ceremony took place in Canada with H.M.C.S. Haida in 2007, the same year in which she was awarded the International Maritime Heritage Award of the World Ship Trust.