Service to remember Polish warship that protected Cowes and East Cowes

The 82nd anniversary of the defence of Cowes and East Cowes, by the Polish destroyer ORP Błyskawica, will be commemorated this weekend.

On the night of May 4, 1942 into the morning of May 5, German bombers targeted the sky over the Isle of Wight's two towns, killing 70 people.

The ORP Błyskawica and her sister ship ORP Grom were built in a local shipyard J.S. White & Co.

The ORP Błyskawica, which was undergoing work on the River Medina at the time of the attack, turned her guns on the bombers, saving lives and property,

She is currently on display in Poland and strong ties between the two communities remain.

ORP Grom was lost in Rombaken Fjord in Norway on May 4, 1940, and will also be remembered.

A commemoration event will take place today (Sunday, May 5) on the bandstand on Cowes Parade, where memorial plaques dedicated to both destroyers are placed.

There is to be a from 1.30pm and a service from 2pm.