I would like to say that the most famous event in the Orzeł's history is the escape from Tallinn. Unfortunately the crew that were on the submarine during that escape are not all given the recognition they deserve. All the books and websites list the men who were lost on her last patrol. These men who gave their lives earned their place in history but their are a few men who were part of the Tallinn escape who have been overlooked.
I was in Gdynia last month and visited the display inside the ORP Błyskawica. It was the first time I had ever seen my father's name, Antoni Szymczak, in print in relation to the Orzeł. It was a very proud moment for me. I went on to visit the Maritime Museum in Gdynia, I have agreed to send them my father's original documents and medals. They deserve to be in a museum rather than in a box in a house in Scotland.
(I have seen an e-mail from a man in New Zealand on this site saying his grandfather was also on the escape from Tallinn.)
I submitted some documents a few years ago showing my father's service history. They are posted on this site. It includes his account of the escape as told to a local Scottish reporter. He also served on the ORP Błyskawica which is the reason for my visit to Poland.
There was an article about him in the Tomaszowski Informator a few years ago after my visit there. Tomaszow Mazowiecki was his home town.
I would like to think that the other sailors from Orzeł's most famous journey are not forgotten.
