Vanalinn in Tallinn, Harju maakond, Estonia — Northern Europe (the Baltics States)
Polish Submarine "ORZEŁ" - September 1939
— [Estonian Maritime Museum] —
Text in Estonian: ...
Text in Polish:
Interneeriti saksa riigi survel Tallinnas
Poola Sõjalaevvastiku allveelaev
“ORZEŁ”
Mereväekapten Jan Grudziński juhtimisel võttis relvitu
Laev ööl vastu 18 Septembrit 1939 ette Hulljulge põgenemise
Suurbritanniasse, et sealt Jätkata Voitlust merel.
See Sündmus Oli üheks Ettekäändeks Nõukogude
Sõjaväebaaside Rajamisele eesti territooriumil ja
Eesti Hilisemale inkorporeerimisele Nõukogude Liitu.
Kangelaslikele Meremeestele
Poolakate Poolt
The Polish Navy submarine “ORZEŁ” and her heroic crewmen were interned in Tallinn on 15 September 1939 under pressure from Germany [following their invasion of Poland and start of WWII]. On the night of 18 September 1939, First Officer Jan Grudziński led the vessel’s unarmed crew in a daring escape, attempting to reach Britain to continue Poland’s fight from the sea. Intercepted and sunk by German forces, this event was a pretext for the Soviet Union’s establishment of military bases on Estonian territory and the subsequent incorporation of Estonia into the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, World II • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is September 15, 1939.
Location. 59° 26.553′ N, 24° 44.964′ E. Marker is in Tallinn, Harju maakond. It is in Vanalinn. Marker is on Pikk Street south of Rannamäe tee, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Pikk 70, Tallinn, Harju maakond 10133, Estonia. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. British Royal Navy in the Estonian War of Independence (within shouting distance of this marker); Mälestusmärk “Katkenud Liin” / “Broken Line” (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); Mustpeade Maja (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Suurgildi Hoone (approx. half a kilometer away); Tallinn Town Hall - Anno 1404 (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); The Historic Centre (Old Town) of Tallinn (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Residence of Konstantin Päts (approx. 0.8 kilometers away); Toompea Loss (approx. one kilometer away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tallinn.
Also see . . . The ORZEŁ Incident. (Submitted on July 14, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
Additional keywords. Baltic Sea; Estonian Maritime Museum; meremuuseum; "Fat Margaret"; ORP “ORZEŁ”; [Eng."EAGLE"]
Credits. This page was last revised on March 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 918 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 14, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Transcription of the Estonian text. • Can you help?