Dragons Teeth Coastal Defences at Tentsmuir Beach, Fife

Dragons teeth coastal defences.kmz (922 B)

These were constructed in 1940/41 as a response to the German invasion of Norway, as a defence to the RAF station at Leuchars, Fife.





More info:   www.secretscotland.org.uk/index.php/Secrets/TentsmuirCoastalDefences

Looks really interesting on GE, Frank.  I notice one of the Panoramio photos says, "...built by Polish Army in 1941..."   What?

For sure.  After the fall of Poland, many Poles escaped to France and after the fall of France thousands were evacuated at Dunkirk over to the UK.  Polish pilots fought with great courage and distinction during the Battle of Britain - around 5% of our pilots were Polish, and they achieved around 12% of the victories during the Battle.  Other Poles fought with equal distinction in the other branches of the Services, and many of them met British girls and stayed on in UK after the war.

I went to school with a girl named Catherine Wolenski, daughter of a Polish soldier, and one of my first Squadron Commanders in the RAF was a Squadron Leader Jacowitz.  They were both as tough as old boots!


In the late 90's I served at RAF Northolt, where many Polish airmen were based during the War.  Their War Memorial is just outside the base.  Every now and then we would be tasked with hosting a group of Polish War Veterans visiting the unit.  I learned to my cost on a number of occasions that their drinking prowess matched their fighting spirit!

Read about the famous 303 (Polish) Squadron here.

there drinking prowess matched their fighting spirit

Was that down the Bell

Mainly in the Sgts' Mess, but I've spent a few happy nights down the Bell.  When I was there, it was run by two.. errrm.. "ladies who wore sensible shoes".  Can't remember their names, but if there was an Olympic event for A & C, the big one would have been a gold medallist.  You didn't **** with them, either literally or metaphorically!  

Yes, remember them well, scary

I had no idea!  That's stunning information, thank you so much (glad I happened across that Pano title). Thanks also for the link, which led me in turn to the tidbit about the Polish-American general.    

Apr 5, 2015 11:11:33 GMT frankmcvey (Angel) said:

For sure.  After the fall of Poland, many Poles escaped to France and after the fall of France thousands were evacuated at Dunkirk over to the UK.  Polish pilots fought with great courage and distinction during the Battle of Britain - around 5% of our pilots were Polish, and they achieved around 12% of the victories during the Battle.  Other Poles fought with equal distinction in the other branches of the Services, and many of them met British girls and stayed on in UK after the war.

I went to school with a girl named Catherine Wolenski, daughter of a Polish soldier, and one of my first Squadron Commanders in the RAF was a Squadron Leader Jacowitz.  They were both as tough as old boots!


In the late 90's I served at RAF Northolt, where many Polish airmen were based during the War.  Their War Memorial is just outside the base.  Every now and then we would be tasked with hosting a group of Polish War Veterans visiting the unit.  I learned to my cost on a number of occasions that their drinking prowess matched their fighting spirit!

Read about the famous 303 (Polish) Squadron here.