Sikorski memorial propeller

Ref: HLMP2/001

Wladysław Eugeniusz Sikorski (20 May 1881 – 4 July 1943) was a Polish military and political leader.

In July 1943, a plane carrying Sikorski plunged into the sea immediately after take-off from Gibraltar, killing all fifteen other passengers on board except the pilot, Eduard Prchal.

Three memorials have been erected in Gibraltar to commemorate the death of General Sikorski. The first was placed at the east end of the runway of what was then RAF North Front in 1945. The text of the plaque reads:

Near this spot

General Władysław Sikorski

Prime Minister of Poland and commander in chief of Polish forces

lost his life in a flying accident on the 4th of July 1943

He fought and died in the service of his country and for the common cause of all nations fighting for freedom

NON OMNIS MORIAR

In 2003, the Royal Air Force donated the plaque to the Government of Gibraltar and a new memorial was erected near the airfield at Sir Herbert Miles Road, consisting of a plinth on which the plaque was mounted along with a propeller recovered from the crashed B-24. A second plaque read:

This plaque was unveiled by the Hon. Peter R. Caruana Q.C., Chief Minister of Gibraltar, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the death of GENERAL WLADISLAW SIKORSKI, Prime Minister of Poland and Commander-in-Chief of Polish Forces

4 July 2003

However, the new location proved unsatisfactory, particularly to the many Polish visitors who visited the site and so a more accessible and spacious site was identified at Europa Point.

2003 dedication plaque.

Sikorski tablet Holyland Tunnel.

Sikorski original memorial plaque later transferred to Europa Point.

Former memorial location, Sir Herbert Miles Road.

The present version of the memorial, unveiled on the 4th July 2013, was designed and constructed by a Polish company, using sandstone from Poland brought across Europe to Gibraltar where it now comprises much of the 5 metres wide memorial.