View Full Version : Grom Class Destroyers
John Brown
29-02-2008, 16:14
The Polish ‘ORP Blyskawica’ was a fast heavily armed Grom Class destroyer built by J Samuel White’s yard in Cowes on the Isle of White. Launched in 1936 she escaped the German invasion of Poland in 1939 to serve in the Royal Navy. ‘Blyskawica’ (Lightning) and her sisters performed sterling work on escort duties and she sailed with more than 80 convoys throughout the war. Due to her high speed ‘Blyskawica’ even acted as escort to the RMS Queen Mary when she performed troop carrying duties.
During the war the destroyer steamed more than 145000 nautical miles but fought probably her most tenacious action whilst moored in a river. On the night of 4th March 1942 ‘Blyskawica’ fought a savage battle with German aircraft to save not only herself but also the town that had given her life six years earlier.
After docking at her home yard in Cowes for a refit on 11th April the ship came under repeated air attack and her Captain, Commander Wojciech Roman Francki sought permission to keep her armed whilst in dock. The Admiralty refused and so he took matters into his own hands and ordered more ammunition to be brought aboard.
A little before 11pm on the 4th May the first waves of 160 fighter bombers began an attack on the two towns of Cowes. The planes dropped parachute flares, high explosive and incendiary bombs whilst strafing the area with their machine guns. Moored at the shipyard ‘Blyskawica’ became the mainstay of the towns defence. Her crew lit smoke canisters in an attempt to obscure the town from its attackers. Use of her large calibre guns forced the German aircraft to fly high making their attacks less accurate. Further south of the ship, Free French Naval units stationed on the River Medina opened up with smaller calibre weapons. The first attacks lasted two hours during which time the destroyer’s guns fired incessantly. Throughout the action crew members hauled buckets of water from the river to cool the guns down. The defence was effective. Many of the bombs fell to the south of the main target and thousands of incendiaries fell harmlessly into the marshes of the Medina’s estuary.
Despite the spirited defence, Cowes did suffer heavy damage and desperate attempts to rescue people trapped in rubble began as soon as the bombers left. The respite was, however, only brief as the planes returned at around 2am and subjected the town to another two hours of constant attack. When dawn arrived on the 5th May, assistance was flooding into Cowes from emergency volunteer services based all over the Island. Once again ‘Blyskawica’s’ Company came to the towns aid by acting as firemen and diggers in support of the local emergency teams. No aircraft were reported to have been shot down during the action but four were destroyed by RAF night fighters on their way home.
Two hundred tons of explosives had been dropped on the towns of East and West Cowes. Much damage had been done and over 70 people had lost their lives with many more being injured. Even so, it was widely acknowledged by locals that, but for the actions of the Polish destroyer’s Company the devastation would have been far greater.
The ‘Blyskawica’ was decommissioned in 1976 and is preserved as a museum ship in Gdynia. The population of Cowes formally recognised and commemorated the courage of the ship’s Company by marking the 60th Anniversary of the attacks in 2002. At a ceremony in Cowes on 3rd May 2004, Commander Francki’s daughter unveiled a plaque which named an area of the town ‘Francki Place’ . This commemorates both the foresight of the Captain and the bravery of his crew. Since the war a strong bond between the people of Cowes and the ship has been maintained. It has been suggested that the destroyer might return to the Isle of White in 2012 to mark the 70th Anniversary of ‘The Battle of Cowes’.
Perhaps not surprisingly, I have seen no mention of disciplinary action being taken against Commander Francki for disobeying instructions to de ammunition his ship.
Pictures are:
Commander Francki
Blyskawica in service
Blyskawica as a museum ship
The plaque
First class John. A event of which many have not heard. It still suprises me that little is known of the heroism of many Polish Seamen and Soldiers during the war. Considering that their own country had been overun by the Germans and the families which had been left behind, had no knowledge of what the menfolk were doing.
romft1945
29-02-2008, 20:59
Thanks John My dad was on her during the war as a BNLO, British Naval Liasion Officer he was also on the Burza this has been discussed before so wont bore you with the details but nice to see it come up again:)
The Sailor
29-02-2008, 21:06
That is very true Stan. It must have been a great disappointment to all the free Polish forces that they weren't fighting the enemy directly for the defence of Poland itself.
However to be given the chance to 'carry on the fight', in and for Britain was almost as good.
Well written John Brown. A fine post and worthy of five stars. Stand over there with the others Lieutenant.
astraltrader
29-02-2008, 22:45
First class John. A event of which many have not heard. It still suprises me that little is known of the heroism of many Polish Seamen and Soldiers during the war. Considering that their own country had been overun by the Germans and the families which had been left behind, had no knowledge of what the menfolk were doing.
Absolutely right Stan - but don`t forget the Polish airmen as well - the part they and the Czechs played in the RAF was monumental...
John Brown
01-03-2008, 10:52
Guys
Glad you liked the post. It is these less reported actions that I like to bring to the forefront. They have their place in the big scheme and the participants deserve just as much recognition as those of the Jutlands and Leyte Gulfs.
Two firsts for me today....received my first 5 stars (many thanks) and gave my first 5 stars.
I think I might retire now while I'm top of my game :)
regards...John
The pair of Grom -class Destroyers were constructed for Poland in the U.K.by White at Cowes.. Somewhat surprisingly, for the Polish Navy was barely even third rate at the time, these destroyers were held to be the best in the world and were certainly among the fastest. when they were commisioned in 1937.
Designed for service in the baltic, they were proved to be equally at home in the harsher conditions of the North Atlantic. They both escaped from poland even as war was breaking out, The Warsaw government deciding that these precious assets would be safer in British ports.
After short refits, which included exchanging a bank of torpedo tubes for a 4" AA gun, both ships were immediately committed to active service. "Grom" was sunk by German aircraft in Rombaksfjord during the invasion of Norway. Her sister ship "Blyskwica", survived the war and returned to Poland in 1947. There she served as the flagship of the Polish Navy until the early 1960`s and was later preserved.
Speed 39 knots. seven 4.7 ,later one 4" AA. 4x 40mm.eight 13.2 MG six later three 212 TT, 44 mines. Displacement 2010t standard, 3385t.full load.
Shown here the "Grom"
Not the best picture, but someone may have a better one?
STAN ,
this is a pic i found ,is it the same one?????
Not sure Cylla, could be the sister ship?
Batstiger
16-04-2008, 17:56
Don't you remember this posting Stan?
http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1178&highlight=grom
Bob.
astraltrader
25-06-2008, 11:18
Having re-read John`s excellent post I thought I would post this picture I have of Blyskawica with her sister ship Grom taken at the end of 1939 not long after their dash from Poland to Britain. Grom is the ship to the right of the two...
The Andrew
14-07-2008, 01:53
'Grom' and 'Blyskawica' translate as 'Thunder' and 'Lightning' in English, respectively.
astraltrader
14-07-2008, 16:17
Nice one Andy - learn something everyday!
designeraccd
15-07-2008, 00:10
color pic of her sister, sporting 4 twin RN 4" mounts..........DFO
Small but interesting pics of ORP Grom. She really was beautiful ship!
The photo no.2: Grom and Blyskawica and I class destroyers HMS Intrepid and HMS Impulsive being fitted in the same yard
astraltrader
13-08-2008, 03:08
One of my favourite pictures of Grom with her sister ship Blyskawica, taken toward the end of 1939...
This shot was made after some modernization carried out to improve ships' sea worthness soon after arrival to Britain..As constructed for Baltic Grom and Blyskawica were hampered by top weights and they were much worse sea boats than RN destroyers.
Foremast searchlight platform, after searchlight superstructure, funnel cap and some extra equipment was landed (among others 120 mm gun spare barrels).
Royal Navy specialists opted also for landing of B gun mounting but Polish Navy othorities refused.
Finally Commander's bathtube was also removed:D
BTW. Looking this picture I always wonder what colour they were painted.
It looksed quite glossy when compared to other British ships of this period.
BWT2. The ship had not bad AA outfit for this time: 8x13,2mm MGs (the standard for RN A-I classes destroyers) backed by 4x40mm Bofors (without directors I think). But even having good AA armament ORP Grom wasn't able
to avoid her fate in spite of yet not efficacious Luftwaffe performance (she and few other ships were sunk by He111 horizontal bombers) :confused:
Blyskawica in Gdynia 2 years ago:
http://www.warships.pl/b-1.jpg
astraltrader
07-09-2008, 19:53
Great photo Grom. Many thanks.
designeraccd
07-09-2008, 20:56
Really nice color pic! Looks like her camo got "updated" from the older pic I had posted....ala Belfast maint.?? DFO
Did You known that Cowes association of Blyskawica wish to bring her to Cowes in 2012. She is beauty, i have visited her in 2006 during my trip to home. But to be honest i had more feelings been on U -534 in Birkenhead while she was in one piece.
astraltrader
07-09-2008, 23:06
Is she up to the trip to Cowes? I didn`t realise she is being kept in a seaworthy condition?
Found this Photo in Conways "War at sea in photographs"(Stuart Robertson and Stephen Dent)
The caption reads quote:-"Sailors on the quarterdeck of ORP Grom.
Clearly mustered for the camera`s benefit, the reality on the sailors faces betray the strain and unhappiness of their overall situation and that of there homeland."
ChalkyWhite
10-10-2008, 16:08
With reference to the part played by Polish men in the Second World War and the usual lack of recognition here is a little story.
In 2005, as I have reported previously, I was a member of Tim Lewin's Committee which were responsible for placing the Malta Siege Memorial in the City of London.See The Malta Siege Memorial thread.
My responsibilties were the ceremonial aspect of the event and the Guest List. I made particular effort to get representatives of all the Allied nations involved in the Siege of Malta and in this respect had the Ambassador of Poland and a Senior Goverment Minister from Norway,attend amongst others, American, Dutch, Greek, Australian, Canadian, New Zealand, etc.
At the reception after the unveiling of the Memorial the Polish and Norwegian
representatives both offered sincere and grateful thanks to the Committee for including them for as they said "We're usually forgotten at these sort of events".
As in other instances sadly I'm afraid that is the case.
Chalky White
Is she up to the trip to Cowes? I didn`t realise she is being kept in a seaworthy condition?
She is not in seaworthy condition, but there were some suggestions about transport in floating dock. The idea was to have Blyskawica in Cowes for olympic games in London, and anniversay of air raid on Cowes.
anotherbaldrick
16-12-2008, 10:27
Lest we forget.
John Brown
16-12-2008, 19:49
Lest we forget.
The story behind 'Francki Place' and 'The Battle of Cowes' can be found here:
http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1178&highlight=grom
Regards...John
gunnersmate
24-01-2009, 17:34
Amen to that Chalky, your doing a great job.
Keep up the good work.
Baz. :D :D
during the war in the village of kincardine in fife, the polish army had a headquarters in what is now the scottish police college and before that the estate was built and owned by admiral lord keith, the local historical society has refurbished lord keiths mausoleum.
when i was a child there were still a number of expat poles still living in the village that had decided to stay rather than return to poland.
John Odom
24-01-2009, 21:22
A stiring story indeed! Well Done!
My father was working at J. S. Whites at this time and lived four streets away from the shipyard. He was called out to assist the ground crew and with the `bucket patrol' to keep the guns cool. You state that no German aircraft was shot down. This is true with regard to the ship itself but a light bomber, dad reckons it was a Dornier, was brought down by an anti-aircraft battery located just outside of Cowes, at a place called `Three-gates', on the 5th or 6th May.
He lived in Tennyson Road and the laundry opposite was flattened as were several houses in the area on the corner of Tennyson Road and Stephenson Road (now a housing estate). Remarkably the pub and post office suffered no damage.
John Brown
14-02-2011, 22:41
Mike
Thank you for your contribution to this thread.
My article deals with the actions fought between approx 11pm on the 4th May until just after 4am on the 5th May. All the accounts I have read of the battle state that no German aircraft were reported to have been shot down in the Cowes area during this time frame. As I said, four were shot down by RAF fighters whilst returning to their bases.
It is quite possible that a plane was shot down near Cowes later on the 5th or even on the 6th May as you suggest. This however, would be outside the time frame covered by my article and not something I have any knowledge of.
Regards...John
... After docking at her home yard in Cowes for a refit on 11th April the ship came under repeated air attack and her Captain, Commander Wojciech Roman Francki sought permission to keep her armed whilst in dock. The Admiralty refused and so he took matters into his own hands and ordered more ammunition to be brought aboard ...
Somewhere I have seen a note that early in the war all ammunition had to be landed when the ship entered a shipyard, but by 1942 the routine was changed and AA ammunition used to be left on-board.
I wonder if anyone can confirm that.
I lived in Cowes for 14 years, before moving to Sandown in 2000; I can assure you that Blyskawica and her crew are remembered with respect and affection on the Island.
Edna
John Brown
17-02-2011, 22:51
Very glad to hear it Edna. Do you have any photos of 'Francki Place' from your time in Cowes?
Regards...John
My article deals with the actions fought between approx 11pm on the 4th May until just after 4am on the 5th May. All the accounts I have read of the battle state that no German aircraft were reported to have been shot down in the Cowes area during this time frame. As I said, four were shot down by RAF fighters whilst returning to their bases.According to Polish sources the following claims were made by the crew of BŁYSKAWICA:
28 IV 1942 - enemy fighter downed (recognized as FW.190)
4/5 V 1942 - enemy bomber destroyed (recognized as He.111)
20 VII 1942 - enemy bomber damaged (recognized as He.111)
I would be mostly grateful for any information about German losses on the above mentioned dates!
All the best,
Andrzej
Very glad to hear it Edna. Do you have any photos of 'Francki Place' from your time in Cowes?
Regards...John
Sorry, John, no can do - but if you Google
www.isle-of-wight-memorials.org.uk/others/cowesfrancki
you can find something better!
Edna
PS direct link inactive, you have to Google.
jainso31
22-02-2011, 18:52
Thought I would attempt to oblige-it was such a cracking story!
jainso31
http://www.iwight.com/home/news/bl2.asp
my father Adam Sala from Krakow Poland was a Petty Officer on the Grom when she left Poland for England.
He was still serving on her when she was sunk in Narvic.
He survived and is alive and well at 97 living in Plymouth
are any of his shipmates still alive?
Mark C. Jones
29-04-2011, 01:14
R Sala,
I sent you a private message through the forum.
Mark C. Jones
Abbeywood.
02-06-2011, 10:53
Ref; ORP 'Blyskawica'.
Although a child at the time I have vague memories of the air attack of the 4/5th May 1942. and recall being taken, by my father, through the local gas works, to the riverside, just up river from White's shipyard and although the importance of what I saw carried no weight to a mere child I can remember the sights and smells of the fires some of which were still burning. It was daylight at that time so presumably it would have been about 6 a.m.
'Blyskawica' was moored under the hammer-head crane on the Engine works side of the river, (the building slips were on the East Cowes side where my father worked as a heavy-plater).
There were several bomb strikes in the shipyard and the mould-loft was gutted by incendiaries. This was situated directly opposite my garnd-mothers house, which fortunately escaped without any serious damage.
There are still a few of 'Blyskawica's crew members living in the Cowes area though, understandably, they are getting fewer with the passing years.
Ironically, until just recently when he, too, passed on. an old German lived about 50 yards along the road. In conversation he told me his first sight of Cowes was from 5000 feet when piloting a Dornier, little thinking that one day he would be living there.
As mentioned the Polish crew of 'Blyskawica' are still held in high esteem by both East & West Cowes residents though more so by the older ones, again with the passing years. While not all of them, but. alas, there are a great many, who think that WW2 was fought in Pinewood and Hollywood film studios and have little comprehansion of the real events. In a way, I suppose that they should be considered to be lucky.
Thank goodness we have these forums to refresh our memories.
Many thanks for this thread, and the stirred memories.
Regards to you all, Abbeywood.
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