Kesklinna linnaosa, Harju maakond, Estonia

Polish Submarine "ORZEŁ" - September 1939

— [Estonian Maritime Museum] —

Polish Submarine "Orzel" - September 1939 Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, May 28, 2012

1. Polish Submarine "Orzel" - September 1939 Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Text in Estonian: ...

Text in Polish:
15. Septembril 1939. Aastal
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.

Allveelaeva “ORZEŁ”
Kangelaslikele Meremeestele
Poolakate Poolt

Text in English:
15 September 1939
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

Polish Submarine "ORZEŁ" - September 1939 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, May 28, 2012

2. Polish Submarine "ORZEŁ" - September 1939

- marker visible on the wall, below the arch, lower left, outside the Estonian Maritime Museum.

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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.

The Heroic Seamen of the Polish Submarine "ORZEŁ"

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 Kesklinna linnaosa, Harju maakond. 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, Kesklinna linnaosa, 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 in Harjumaa Maakond); Mälestusmärk “Katkenud Liin” / “Broken Line” (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line in Harjumaa Maakond); Mustpeade Maja (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Suurgildi Hoone (approx. half a kilometer away in Harjumaa Maakond); Tallinn Town Hall - Anno 1404 (approx. 0.6 kilometers away in Harjumaa Maakond); The Historic Centre (Old Town) of Tallinn

ORP "ORZEŁ" - declared lost after failing to return from her 7th war patrol in the North Sea while image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, May 28, 2012

3. ORP "ORZEŁ" - declared lost after failing to return from her 7th war patrol in the North Sea while

operating as part of the Royal Navy's 2nd Submarine Flotilla.

(approx. 0.7 kilometers away in Harjumaa Maakond); Residence of Konstantin Päts (approx. 0.8 kilometers away); Toompea Loss (approx. one kilometer away in Harjumaa Maakond). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kesklinna linnaosa.

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 January 2, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 705 times since then and 25 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.