Battle of Britain art competition for Somerset schools

A Special art competition for schools across

Somerset has been launched  to commemorate the Polish contribution to

the Second World War .(photo courtesy of John M)

The Jan Kusmirek Award is open to pupils aged between 10 and 18

who submit a painting inspired by the Polish Air Force's role in the Battle

of Britain, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this month.

The winner will receive a trophy and a framed print of a rare

wartime painting, and £500 for their school as well as an engraved frame

to display the artwork.

Two runners-up will receive a set of three books about the Polish

Air Force for their schools' libraries.

The competition is being organised by 64 year old Somerset author

Jan Kusmirek, whose spy thrillers 'The Engineer' and 'Stolen Lives'

have been acclaimed for highlighting the "Polish experience of World War

Two".

Mr Kusmirek said: "Being of Polish descent I am always keen to

draw attention to the major contribution the Polish forces made to the

Allied war effort.

"Sadly, the Poles are always overshadowed in the history books by

Britain's American and Russian allies but the Polish Air Force's role

in the Battle of Britain, for example, was pivotal to its success.

"Hopefully the competition will raise awareness of the bravery

and sacrifice the Poles made in defence not only of Britain but also

freedom itself."

All schools, sixth forms and colleges in the greater Somerset

area are eligible to enter the competition, with a maximum of three

entries per institution.

The paintings can be in any style and any canvas size up to and

including 30" x 24".

All finalists will be judged by Mr Kusmirek, from Glastonbury,

who in addition to being an author is one of the world's leading perfumers

and aromatherapists.

He said that his intention with the competition , which will run

annually  was to: "promote a key part of every Somerset child's

heritage.

"Squadrons from the Polish

Air Force In Exile were stationed in Somerset at RAF

Culmhead and later at RAF

Weston-super-Mare and left their mark on the county.Their

descendants still live here and maybe some of the children who enter the

competition will be inspired by a Polish war hero in their own family.

"However they find their inspiration, I am looking forward to

seeing and judging the art work this competition generates."

Schools are invited to enter the  Jan Kusmirek Award art

competition by emailing jkaward@cloveruk.net. The deadline for entries

to the Jan Kusmirek Award is Friday, October 8th with winners to be

announced on Friday, October 28th.

 Mr Kusmirek's novels The Engineer and Stolen Lives, released in

2009 and 2010 respectively, feature Polish secret agent Teddy Labden.

He is currently putting the finishing touches to White & Red, the

third and final instalment in his 'Chronicles of Love and Honour'

trilogy, set for publication next year.

The Battle of Britain, which took place between July 10th and

October  31st 1940, refers to the German Luftwaffe's bombardment of

southern Britain and the English Channel with the intention of

destroying the Royal Air Force and British aircraft industry.

The German's failure in destroying the RAF - seen as essential

before they could mount an invasion of the British Isles - is cited as a

crucial turning point in the war.

A total of 145 Polish personnel served in the RAF during the

Battle of Britain - the largest non-British contribution -  and Polish

pilots were noted for their bravery with the pilots of No. 303 (Polish)

Squadron emerging as the highest-scoring Allied unit.

The RAF Association run the Wings Appeal to collect money to

support former RAF personnel and their families. They will be holding Battle

of Britain commemoration services across the country.