THE HEROIC actions of those onboard Polish destroyer Blyskawica during the Second World War in 1942 was remembered in a series of events.

A commemoration service was held at the Air Raid Memorial at Kingston Cemetery, East Cowes, on May 4.

The following day there was a wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial at Northwood Cemetery, and commemorations and a service at the bandstand on Cowes Parade.

In 1942, German fighter bombers began an attack on Cowes and East Cowes.

The planes used a variety of weapons and Blyskawica quickly became a floating anti-aircraft base in her defence of the towns.

Her crew lit smoke canisters in an attempt to obscure the town from its attackers, and used her large calibre guns to force the Luftwaffe to fly higher, affecting the accuracy of its bombing.

The actions of the captain and his crew were effective and many bombs failed to reach their targets.

The next day, Blyskawica’s crew helped the towns on land, as 200 tons of explosives had been dropped on the shipyards and the towns, resulting in a lot of damage.

More than 70 people lost their lives and many more were injured.