Polish veterans of a World War II secret operation watched as a Dakota DC3 from the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flew over a remote field in Matczyn near Lublin, the scene of their daring act 64 years ago.

Jonathan and Stephen Harrod watch the flyover in honour of their father and his crew [Picture: via MOD]

As part of the Goraszka Air Show which took place this weekend near Warsaw, veterans were able to relive the mission which saw Flight Lieutenant Ted Harrod make an unprecedented landing to rescue General Stanislaw Tatar, Deputy Commander of the Polish underground forces, and four of his senior staff.

On 15 April 1944, Flt Lt Harrod made the gruelling 18-hour flight from Brindisi in Italy. In a small beetroot field at Matczyn, the Polish underground army, known as the AK, hastily set up a temporary landing strip. Harrod landed his Dakota in the dead of night, guided by just a few flares, dropped off two agents and boarded a precious cargo including Deputy Commander Tatar.

Against all odds, with barely 800 yards of runway, Harrod and his crew managed to get the Dakota airborne and brought the passengers safely to Italy, from where they were transferred to the UK. For his bravery and exemplary flying, Flt Lt Harrod was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and was later decorated with the Virtuti Militari Silver Class by the Polish Government.

A Dakota DC3 undergoing a facelift [Picture: RAF]

Ted Harrod’s widow, two sons, daughter and grandchildren had made the pilgrimage to Matczyn to see the BBMF Dakota over-fly the original landing site, joining the AK veterans who had participated in that operation on the ground as perimeter guards and aircraft marshals.

Patricia Harrod watched with her sons Stephen and Jonathan as the Dakota made four passes, commenting afterwards that:

"It makes me absolutely certain of what I already know, that I married a wonderful man. He never really talked about all this, but it is clear from the reaction of the local people that he and his crew did something very special"

Squadron Leader Al Pinner, Officer Commanding the BBMF, was also on the ground with the veterans. He said:

"We must always remember that there were many nations fighting alongside us during World War II, among the staunchest being the Poles, some of whom were killed in Nazi reprisals after this operation. For that reason it is very important that we were able to make this flypast today."