Monument to the Allied Airmen in Dębina Zakrzowska

The Monument to the Allied Airmen in Dębina Zakrzowska stands in fields on the western edge of the village, on the site where a British Halifax bomber was shot down on the night of 4-5 August 1944. It was unveiled on 4 August 1991.

The shooting down of the aircraft

Halifax JP-181 belonged to No. 148 Special Duties Squadron RAF. Because of a change of orders it took off from a base in Italy and was carrying supplies for a drop zone of the Home Army located about 15 km from Miechów. The aircraft was shot down by a German night fighter. The whole crew of seven were killed, members of the RAF, RAAF and RCAF.

What the monument looks like

The monument consists of a concrete plinth on which stands a pedestal about two metres high, topped with a cross. On the pedestal are the sign of Fighting Poland, a metal image of Our Lady of Częstochowa and a plaque with the names of the crew. Beside it stand two fragments of the aircraft's structure preserved after the crash. The airmen were buried in the military cemetery in Kraków, in the British plot.

Practical information

• The site lies in Dębina Zakrzowska, in Tarnów County. On the anniversary of the shooting down, 4 August, a ceremony is held here by residents, with flowers and candles laid.
• War cemeteries are located in the area, for example War Cemetery no. 193 in Dąbrówka Szczepanowska.