307 (Polish) Squadron

307 Polish RAF Squadron was based at RAF Exeter for two years during the Second World War and were instrumental in defending the skies of southern Britain from the Luftwaffe. If not for them Exeter would have suffered even more during the Blitz. 

19 members of the squadron are buried in the Higher Cemetery.

Research on the squadron was carried out by Michael Parrott, a member of FoHC, as a result of seeing a plaque in the cemetery chapel. It was discovered that on 15th November 1942 a very special ceremony took place outside of the West Front of the Cathedral where the squadron were granted freedom of the city.  In return, the squadron handed a Polish National Flag to the city and the then Lord Mayor stated that the flag would permanently hang inside the Guildhall to remind future generations of what the Polish squadron did for Exeter in its hour of need.

The Lord Mayor's Office, in 2012, agreed with a proposal of Michael's, to hold an event in commemoration of the 70th anniversary.The event took place on Thursday 15th November 2012 at The Guildhall and included the blessing of a Polish national flag which was hung at the Guildhall for the day. (The original flag had been lost sometime between 1942 and 2012).  

Since 2012, 15th November is celebrated as 'Polish 307 Squadron Day' in Exeter and the Polish flag is flown above the Guildhall for the day. 

The picture shows a Polish plaque, in the Higher Cemetery chapel, in memory of  a 307 squadron pilot.

Translation: 

Pilot Lieutenant, , Kazimierz E.F. Jaworski, 17/8/1919-17/9/1944, of 307 night fighter squadron "Lwow Eagle Owls", decorated with the Cross of Valour, killed at the Battle of Arnhem.