Glider Airfield and Military Glider School on Holicy
The Military Glider School operated on the ridge of Mount 呕uk贸w from 1933 to 1939. It trained hundreds of pilots, including heroes of World War II. Today, we can only see the ruins of the glider airfield below the summit of Holicy, and there are several information boards that remind us of the incredible history of this place.
Glider Airfield and Glider School 呕uk贸w / Holica - history, facts, and trivia
- The school was established in 1933 and operated until the outbreak of World War II in 1939.
- During the interwar period, the 呕uk贸w ridge was not wooded and provided ideal conditions for glider flights.
- In addition to the school itself, hangars and additional airfields were built in the area (in Ustianowa, R贸wnia, and Gromadzyn), workshops, winches, power generators, and even the first meteorological station in Poland.
- By the late 1930s, the school was the largest institution of its kind in Poland. Approximately 300 pilots were trained here monthly! About 600-750 gliders (over half of all Polish aircraft) were used for training.
- A significant event held here was the 1935 3rd National Gliding Championship, attended by representatives from 12 gliding clubs from across Poland.
- Military pilots from the school in D臋blin underwent mandatory glider training here. Among its graduates were many pilots who fought during World War II, including those in the RAF forces.
- Notable graduates of the school include Bronis艂aw Czech (skier, Olympian, mountaineer, courier murdered in Auschwitz) and Wac艂aw Kr贸l - an ace pilot, participant in the Battle of Britain, and member of the "Skalski's Circus" unit fighting in Africa.
Glider School in Ustianowa after World War II
During World War II, the Germans took away the equipment and destroyed the school's facilities. After 1945, the area fell outside the borders of Poland. After the border was shifted in 1951, attempts were made to reactivate the school, and several flights were even conducted. However, the land was eventually handed over to farmers and the forestry service.
In 1969, a monument was erected on the slope of a neighboring hill in honor of the aviators, graduates of the glider school, who died during World War II. Today, the local primary school is named after the Heroes of Polish Aviation.
Glider School 呕uk贸w / Holica today
Today, on the ridge of 呕uk贸w, we can only see the foundations of the glider airfield:
Right next to them, there is a large shelter, places for bonfires, benches, and tables:
Furthermore, thanks to the newly built observation tower, which rises 30 meters above the ridge, we can imagine the experiences of the pilots taking off from here!
Tower on Holica: How to Get There and What Can We See from the Top?
The viewing tower on Holica (761 meters above sea level) in the 呕uk贸w Range near Ustrzyki Dolne is one of the newest attractions in the region. From the top terrace of the tower, you can enjoy a wonderful view of the surrounding area, including the Sanocko-Turcza艅skie Mountains and the Bieszczady: Tarnica and Halicz Nest, Cary艅ska, Wetli艅ska, and Wielka Rawka. ...
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More details about the history of the glider school can be found on the information boards:
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