During World War II, the Polish Navy operated under the auspices of the British Navy. One destroyer escort, the ORP Kujawiak, helped supply the island of Malta where it hit an Italian mine.

This article explains the short life of ORP Kujawiak, its final moments and its current status as an underwater diving site.

Construction and Commissioning as HMS Oakley

The story of ORP Kujawiak begins with its construction as HMS Oakley^{1 2 3}, a Type II Hunt-class destroyer escort for the British Royal Navy^{4 5}. Britain ordered the vessel under the 1939 War Emergency Programme on September 4, 1939. This was part of an urgent naval expansion at the outbreak of war. Vickers-Armstrongs laid down its keel at their High Walker yard, number J4145⁶, on the River Tyne on November 22, 1939⁷. HMS Oakley launched on October 30, 1940⁸.

The Royal Navy had ordered Hunt-class destroyers because they needed small, cheap escort vessels for convoy protection and fleet operations. These ships’ details were^{9 10}:

• Length of 85 meters.
• Beam of 9.5 meters.
• A standard displacement of 1,050 tons.
• A Parsons steam turbines which generated 19,000 horsepower.
• A maximum speed of 27 knots.
• A range of 2 500 nautical miles at 20 knots.
• Twin 102mm guns.
• Anti-aircraft cannons.

While still under construction, on April 3, 1941, the British Admiralty decided to transfer HMS Oakley to the Polish Navy. This was part of the Anglo-Polish naval agreement. Under this agreement Poland embedded vessels within the Royal Navy but under their own command and with Polish officers. The transfer reflected Britain’s commitment to supporting its Polish allies. Upon completion on June 17, 1941¹¹, the Polish Navy commissioned the ship as ORP Kujawiak^{12 13}. (The designation “ORP” stands for “Okręt Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej” meaning “Warship of the Republic of Poland”).

The transfer of HMS Oakley to Poland was part of a broader pattern of British support for Allied navies in exile. Britain leased several escort destroyers, cruisers, and submarines to the Polish Navy, which continued to fight alongside British forces despite the occupation of their homeland. The Polish Navy had initially brought three destroyers, two submarines, and two training ships to Britain, with approximately 800 officers and sailors. The Hunt-class destroyers transferred to Poland were named after regions of Poland, with Kujawiak referring to a region in central Poland.

Initial Operations (1941)

ORP Kujawiak began its operational service under the command of Captain Ludwik Lichodziejewski¹⁴. On June 18, 1941, Nazi planes attacked Kujawiak while traveling for operational training with the Home Fleet¹⁵. Enemy fire struck the 4-inch ready-use ammunition, causing one casualty¹⁶ – Marynarz Stanislaw Trybulski.

After completing its work-up period on July 25, 1941, Kujawiak joined the 15th Destroyer Flotilla¹⁷ based at Plymouth, where it performed local convoy escort and patrol duties. The ship quickly integrated into Royal Navy operations, participating in joint exercises with other Allied vessels. On July 23, 1941, Kujawiak conducted anti-submarine exercises at Scapa Flow with HMS Antelope, HMS Davyk, and the drifter HMS Craigroy.

Later in 1941, on October 23, Kujawiak deployed alongside fellow Polish destroyer ORP Krakowiak¹⁸ to escort the inward Convoy SL89 during its final passage through the Irish Sea to Liverpool¹⁹. This mission demonstrated the vessel’s versatility to support amphibious operations as well.

In December, Kujawiak participated in a significant military operation. On December 22, it sailed from Scapa Flow²⁰ to conduct landings on the Lofoten Islands in Norway²¹ as part of Operation Claymore²². During this operation, on December 27, an air attack hit it, causing slight damage from a near miss²³. This mission demonstrated the versatility of the Hunt-class design, which could support amphibious operations in addition to its primary escort role.

Throughout 1941, Kujawiak became a valuable asset, conducting missions around the United Kingdom. Its main adversaries were German planes operating from French bases. The ship’s anti-aircraft capabilities proved essential in defending convoys against aerial threats.

Assignment to Operation Harpoon

By early June 1942, the situation in Malta became desperate. The island was the only Allied air and naval base between Gibraltar and Alexandria²⁴. Between 1940 and 1942, it was the most heavily bombed location in the world²⁵. Winston Churchill described Malta as the “unsinkable aircraft carrier”²⁶ from which Allied forces continuously disrupted the enemy’s supply chains across the central Mediterranean²⁷. With the arrival of the German II Fliegerkorps in Sicily in late 1941²⁸, Malta endured relentless bombing raids throughout 1942. There was only a single day without raids in the first six months of the year.

I’ve written separately about the bombing of RAF Kalafrana at the end of the Siege of Malta

The Axis powers had established a near-complete blockade of Malta. Between December 1941 and May 1942, Allied shipping suffered major losses, leaving Malta and its inhabitants with dwindling supplies. The British Admiralty sent two simultaneous convoys to resupply Malta – Operation Vigorous from Alexandria in the east and Operation Harpoon from Gibraltar in the west^{29 30}.

In early June 1942, ORP Kujawiak joined the escort for the planned relief convoy to Malta^{31 32}. On June 6, the destroyer joined military Convoy WS19S as part of the escort for passage to Gibraltar³³. The convoy, code-named WS19S, had departed from the Clyde, Scotland, on June 4, 1942, consisting of the freighters Burdwan, Chant (American), Orari, Tanimbar (Dutch), and Troilus³⁴, later joined by the American tanker Kentucky³⁵.

On June 12 Kujawiak reached Gibraltar. It joined Force X³⁶, whose task was to escort the Harpoon convoy through the dangerous Sicilian narrows en route to Malta. Operation Harpoon consisted of six merchant ships escorted by Force X (an anti-aircraft cruiser, five destroyers, four escort destroyers including ORP Kujawiak, and four minesweepers) and supported by Force W (a battleship, two aircraft carriers, three light cruisers, and eight destroyers)³⁷. They left Gibraltar that day³⁸ where they were spotted by Axis reconnaissance.

Kujawiak’s duties within Operation Harpoon were typical of Hunt-class escort destroyers – to provide anti-submarine and anti-aircraft protection for the merchant vessels carrying vital supplies to Malta. The Polish destroyer was essential for defending against air attacks from Sicily and Sardinia.

The Final Battle

The convoy faced its first attacks on June 14, 1942³⁹. when Italian submarines targeted the ships, followed by aircraft raids that resulted in the loss of one merchantman (the Tanimbar) and damage to the cruiser HMS Liverpool⁴⁰, which was forced to return to Gibraltar⁴¹. The following day brought more intense combat when an Italian cruiser squadron attacked. HMS Bedouin was immobilized⁴² and HMS Partridge damaged, while the Italian destroyer Vivaldi was also hit.

Heavy air attacks continued throughout the next 24 hours⁴³, sinking the merchant ship Chant and immobilizing the tanker Kentucky. The reduced convoy abandoned the crippled ships and rushed at top speed to Malta. Throughout these engagements, ORP Kujawiak defended the convoy shooting down four Axis planes.

By the evening of June 15⁴⁴, the battered convoy approached the relative safety of Valletta harbor. They encountered a newly laid German MT 14 minefield on the coast of the island⁴⁵. At approximately midnight on June 16, HMS Badsworth struck a mine. ORP Kujawiak, following behind, moved to assist the damaged ship despite knowing they were in a minefield.

This act of bravery would prove fatal. At 00:53 on June 16⁴⁶, Kujawiak detonated a mine^{47 48 49} on her port side near the location of the second gun. The explosion caused major structural damage⁵⁰ forward, creating a huge hole in the hull. Despite swift rescue action and attempts to patch the breach, the ship began to tilt to its port side. When the ship’s list reached a dangerous level, the boiler safety valves were opened and the fuses of the depth charges were secured to prevent them from exploding as the ship sank.

The heroic struggle of the crew to save their ship ended at approximately 01:20. ORP Kujawiak sank, taking thirteen Polish sailors to their deaths^{51 52 53}.

Aftermath and Legacy

The water is approximately 97 meters^{54 55} off the southeastern coast of Malta. Of the ship’s complement of 168 crew members, 20 were wounded, apart from the 13 who died. Other vessels rescued the majority of them, though the exact details of the rescue are vague.

Twenty-seven year old⁵⁶ able-bodied seaman Adam Sala was on board⁵⁷. He’d been working in the engine room and was half-naked⁵⁸ due to the excess heat there. He jumped out into the cold Mediterranean waters and was stung from head to foot by a shoal of jellyfish⁵⁹. He was hospitalised⁶⁰, but transferred to ORP Krakowiak when he recovered⁶¹.

The loss of ORP Kujawiak came at the end of a costly operation. Of the six cargo vessels that left Gibraltar in Operation Harpoon, only two made it to Malta. These ships delivered approximately 15,000 tons of fuel, ammunition, and food – supplies that were welcome but inadequate to fully restock the besieged island. The convoy also lost several warships, including HMS Bedouin and ORP Kujawiak.

The 13 Polish sailors who sank with Kujawiak are commemorated with a memorial plaque in the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta, Malta. 

The wreck of ORP Kujawiak remained undiscovered for decades. In 2014, Peter Wytykowski led a joint Maltese-Polish team to find the ship⁶². After only four days of survey work⁶³, they identified a promising target with side-scan sonar. Closer examination with a remote-operated vehicle confirmed it was the lost Polish destroyer^{64 65}. The divers reported the discovery to the authorities⁶⁶. Malta designated the wreck a historic shipwreck⁶⁷, which protects it under local and international law.

In 2017, during further expeditions to document the wreck, the team recovered the ship’s bell⁶⁸. It was covered with thick concretions when recovered, underwent extensive desalination and specialized conservation at Heritage Malta’s Conservation Laboratories in Bighi^{69 70}. The bell is on display for public appreciation at the Maritime Museum^{71 72}.

The wreck site of ORP Kujawiak is at 35° 53′ 11.1372″ N, 14° 38′ 26.4444″ E⁷³, approximately 6km off the coast of Valletta. In 2019⁷⁴, the site was declared an Archaeological Zone at Sea⁷⁵, with a 500-meter buffer zone⁷⁶. It is open to the diving public under the management of Heritage Malta’s Underwater Cultural Heritage Unit.

Today, the wreck lies on its port side with the bow pointing southward. The hull remains largely intact⁷⁷, with the destroyer’s main features clearly visible. The bow is in good condition, and the twin 102mm gun turret is completely undamaged⁷⁸. The bridge is well-preserved, though the funnel is not. The stern shows signs of damage, but the rudder and propellers remain intact. Many of the destroyer’s armaments, including shell casings, ammunition, and depth charges, litter the seabed around the wreck.

As a diving site, ORP Kujawiak offers a challenging but rewarding experience. Given its depth it is beyond the reach of recreational divers because you need specialised training and equipment⁷⁹. The wreck is a war grave⁸⁰, and divers need a special permit from Heritage Malta⁸¹. For qualified divers, the site provides a well-preserved example of a World War II Hunt-class destroyer and a tangible connection to the sacrifices made by Polish naval forces during the war.

On the 80th anniversary, in 2022⁸², the Polish Embassy in Malta held a special commemoration. Members of the Polish community sailed to the wreck site to honour the fallen crew members⁸³. During this ceremony, white and red flowers (the colors of the Polish flag) were cast into the sea as a symbolic gesture of recognition for the sacrifice of the Polish sailors who embodied the motto “For our freedom and yours”^{84 85}.

The story of ORP Kujawiak stands as a testament to the courage and sacrifice of the Polish Navy in exile during World War II. From its construction in Britain to its final resting place in Maltese waters, the ship and its crew exemplified the determination of Allied forces to maintain vital supply lines in the face of overwhelming odds.

References

1. M.Giourgas. (2022). The wreck of the Polish Destroyer ORP Kujawiak – The history of a heroic ship sunk in 1942 – WW2Wrecks.com. [online] Available at: https://www.ww2wrecks.com/portfolio/the-wreck-of-the-polish-destroyer-orp-kujawiak-diving/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
2. Heritage Malta. (2024). ORP Kujawiak L72 – Heritage Malta. [online] Available at: https://heritagemalta.mt/explore/orp-kujawiak-l72/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
3. Times of Malta, The (2018). Retrieval and conservation of Polish Naval ORP Kujawaik bell. [online] Times of Malta. Available at: https://timesofmalta.com/article/polish-bell.675579 [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
4. M.Giourgas. (2022). The wreck of the Polish Destroyer ORP Kujawiak – The history of a heroic ship sunk in 1942 – WW2Wrecks.com. [online] Available at: https://www.ww2wrecks.com/portfolio/the-wreck-of-the-polish-destroyer-orp-kujawiak-diving/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
5. Times of Malta, The (2018). Retrieval and conservation of Polish Naval ORP Kujawaik bell. [online] Times of Malta. Available at: https://timesofmalta.com/article/polish-bell.675579 [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
6. Naval-history.net. (2025). ORP Kujawiak, Polish escort destroyer. [online] Available at: http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-10DE-Oakley1-Kujawiak.htm [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
7. Naval-history.net. (2025). ORP Kujawiak, Polish escort destroyer. [online] Available at: http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-10DE-Oakley1-Kujawiak.htm [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
8. Naval-history.net. (2025). ORP Kujawiak, Polish escort destroyer. [online] Available at: http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-10DE-Oakley1-Kujawiak.htm [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
9. M.Giourgas. (2022). The wreck of the Polish Destroyer ORP Kujawiak – The history of a heroic ship sunk in 1942 – WW2Wrecks.com. [online] Available at: https://www.ww2wrecks.com/portfolio/the-wreck-of-the-polish-destroyer-orp-kujawiak-diving/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
10. Heritage Malta. (2024). ORP Kujawiak L72 – Heritage Malta. [online] Available at: https://heritagemalta.mt/explore/orp-kujawiak-l72/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
11. Naval-history.net. (2025). ORP Kujawiak, Polish escort destroyer. [online] Available at: http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-10DE-Oakley1-Kujawiak.htm [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
12. M.Giourgas. (2022). The wreck of the Polish Destroyer ORP Kujawiak – The history of a heroic ship sunk in 1942 – WW2Wrecks.com. [online] Available at: https://www.ww2wrecks.com/portfolio/the-wreck-of-the-polish-destroyer-orp-kujawiak-diving/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
13. Heritage Malta. (2024). ORP Kujawiak L72 – Heritage Malta. [online] Available at: https://heritagemalta.mt/explore/orp-kujawiak-l72/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
14. The Virtual Museum. (2020). Map – The Virtual Museum. [online] Available at: https://underwatermalta.org/map/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
15. Naval-history.net. (2025). ORP Kujawiak, Polish escort destroyer. [online] Available at: http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-10DE-Oakley1-Kujawiak.htm [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
16. Naval-history.net. (2025). ORP Kujawiak, Polish escort destroyer. [online] Available at: http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-10DE-Oakley1-Kujawiak.htm [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
17. Naval-history.net. (2025). ORP Kujawiak, Polish escort destroyer. [online] Available at: http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-10DE-Oakley1-Kujawiak.htm [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
18. Naval-history.net. (2025). ORP Kujawiak, Polish escort destroyer. [online] Available at: http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-10DE-Oakley1-Kujawiak.htm [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
19. Naval-history.net. (2025). ORP Kujawiak, Polish escort destroyer. [online] Available at: http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-10DE-Oakley1-Kujawiak.htm [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
20. Naval-history.net. (2025). ORP Kujawiak, Polish escort destroyer. [online] Available at: http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-10DE-Oakley1-Kujawiak.htm [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
21. Naval-history.net. (2025). ORP Kujawiak, Polish escort destroyer. [online] Available at: http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-10DE-Oakley1-Kujawiak.htm [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
22. Naval-history.net. (2025). ORP Kujawiak, Polish escort destroyer. [online] Available at: http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-10DE-Oakley1-Kujawiak.htm [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
23. Naval-history.net. (2025). ORP Kujawiak, Polish escort destroyer. [online] Available at: http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-10DE-Oakley1-Kujawiak.htm [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
24. Heritage Malta. (2024). ORP Kujawiak L72 – Heritage Malta. [online] Available at: https://heritagemalta.mt/explore/orp-kujawiak-l72/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
25. Heritage Malta. (2024). ORP Kujawiak L72 – Heritage Malta. [online] Available at: https://heritagemalta.mt/explore/orp-kujawiak-l72/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
26. The Virtual Museum. (2020). Map – The Virtual Museum. [online] Available at: https://underwatermalta.org/map/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
27. The Virtual Museum. (2020). Map – The Virtual Museum. [online] Available at: https://underwatermalta.org/map/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
28. The Virtual Museum. (2020). Map – The Virtual Museum. [online] Available at: https://underwatermalta.org/map/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
29. The Virtual Museum. (2020). Map – The Virtual Museum. [online] Available at: https://underwatermalta.org/map/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
30. Times of Malta (2022). Two convoys’ attempts to supply beleaguered Malta in June 1942. [online] Times of Malta. Available at: https://timesofmalta.com/article/two-convoys-attempts-to-supply-beleaguered-malta-in-june-1942.961958[↩]
31. Naval-history.net. (2025). ORP Kujawiak, Polish escort destroyer. [online] Available at: http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-10DE-Oakley1-Kujawiak.htm [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
32. M. Giourgas. (2022). The wreck of the Polish Destroyer ORP Kujawiak – The history of a heroic ship sunk in 1942 – WW2Wrecks.com. [online] Available at: https://www.ww2wrecks.com/portfolio/the-wreck-of-the-polish-destroyer-orp-kujawiak-diving/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
33. Naval-history.net. (2025). ORP Kujawiak, Polish escort destroyer. [online] Available at: http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-10DE-Oakley1-Kujawiak.htm [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
34. Uboat.net. (2015). ORP Kujawiak (L 72) of the Polish Navy – Polish Escort destroyer of the Hunt (Type II) class – Allied Warships of WWII – uboat.net. [online] Available at: https://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/4659.html [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
35. Uboat.net. (2015). ORP Kujawiak (L 72) of the Polish Navy – Polish Escort destroyer of the Hunt (Type II) class – Allied Warships of WWII – uboat.net. [online] Available at: https://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/4659.html [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
36. Naval-history.net. (2025). ORP Kujawiak, Polish escort destroyer. [online] Available at: http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-10DE-Oakley1-Kujawiak.htm [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
37. Uboat.net. (2015). ORP Kujawiak (L 72) of the Polish Navy – Polish Escort destroyer of the Hunt (Type II) class – Allied Warships of WWII – uboat.net. [online] Available at: https://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/4659.html [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
38. Naval-history.net. (2025). ORP Kujawiak, Polish escort destroyer. [online] Available at: http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-10DE-Oakley1-Kujawiak.htm [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
39. Heritage Malta. (2024). ORP Kujawiak L72 – Heritage Malta. [online] Available at: https://heritagemalta.mt/explore/orp-kujawiak-l72/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
40. Naval-history.net. (2025). ORP Kujawiak, Polish escort destroyer. [online] Available at: http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-10DE-Oakley1-Kujawiak.htm [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
41. Naval-history.net. (2025). ORP Kujawiak, Polish escort destroyer. [online] Available at: http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-10DE-Oakley1-Kujawiak.htm [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
42. The Virtual Museum. (2020). Map – The Virtual Museum. [online] Available at: https://underwatermalta.org/map/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
43. Naval-history.net. (2025). ORP Kujawiak, Polish escort destroyer. [online] Available at: http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-10DE-Oakley1-Kujawiak.htm [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
44. The Virtual Museum. (2020). Map – The Virtual Museum. [online] Available at: https://underwatermalta.org/map/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
45. The Virtual Museum. (2020). Map – The Virtual Museum. [online] Available at: https://underwatermalta.org/map/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
46. Times of Malta, The (2018). Retrieval and conservation of Polish Naval ORP Kujawaik bell. [online] Times of Malta. Available at: https://timesofmalta.com/article/polish-bell.675579 [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
47. M.Giourgas. (2022). The wreck of the Polish Destroyer ORP Kujawiak – The history of a heroic ship sunk in 1942 – WW2Wrecks.com. [online] Available at: https://www.ww2wrecks.com/portfolio/the-wreck-of-the-polish-destroyer-orp-kujawiak-diving/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
48. Heritage Malta. (2024). ORP Kujawiak L72 – Heritage Malta. [online] Available at: https://heritagemalta.mt/explore/orp-kujawiak-l72/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
49. Naval-history.net. (2025). ORP Kujawiak, Polish escort destroyer. [online] Available at: http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-10DE-Oakley1-Kujawiak.htm [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
50. The Virtual Museum. (2020). Map – The Virtual Museum. [online] Available at: https://underwatermalta.org/map/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
51. M.Giourgas. (2022). The wreck of the Polish Destroyer ORP Kujawiak – The history of a heroic ship sunk in 1942 – WW2Wrecks.com. [online] Available at: https://www.ww2wrecks.com/portfolio/the-wreck-of-the-polish-destroyer-orp-kujawiak-diving/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
52. Heritage Malta. (2024). ORP Kujawiak L72 – Heritage Malta. [online] Available at: https://heritagemalta.mt/explore/orp-kujawiak-l72/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
53. Times of Malta, The (2018). Retrieval and conservation of Polish Naval ORP Kujawaik bell. [online] Times of Malta. Available at: https://timesofmalta.com/article/polish-bell.675579 [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
54. M.Giourgas. (2022). The wreck of the Polish Destroyer ORP Kujawiak – The history of a heroic ship sunk in 1942 – WW2Wrecks.com. [online] Available at: https://www.ww2wrecks.com/portfolio/the-wreck-of-the-polish-destroyer-orp-kujawiak-diving/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
55. Heritage Malta. (2024). ORP Kujawiak L72 – Heritage Malta. [online] Available at: https://heritagemalta.mt/explore/orp-kujawiak-l72/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
56. Shelley (2022). Adam Sala – Kresy Siberia. [online] Kresy Siberia. Available at: https://kresy-siberia.org/special-exhibitions/polish-naval-memories-of-ww2-1942/adam-sala/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
57. Shelley (2022). Adam Sala – Kresy Siberia. [online] Kresy Siberia. Available at: https://kresy-siberia.org/special-exhibitions/polish-naval-memories-of-ww2-1942/adam-sala/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
58. Shelley (2022). Adam Sala – Kresy Siberia. [online] Kresy Siberia. Available at: https://kresy-siberia.org/special-exhibitions/polish-naval-memories-of-ww2-1942/adam-sala/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
59. Shelley (2022). Adam Sala – Kresy Siberia. [online] Kresy Siberia. Available at: https://kresy-siberia.org/special-exhibitions/polish-naval-memories-of-ww2-1942/adam-sala/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
60. Shelley (2022). Adam Sala – Kresy Siberia. [online] Kresy Siberia. Available at: https://kresy-siberia.org/special-exhibitions/polish-naval-memories-of-ww2-1942/adam-sala/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
61. Shelley (2022). Adam Sala – Kresy Siberia. [online] Kresy Siberia. Available at: https://kresy-siberia.org/special-exhibitions/polish-naval-memories-of-ww2-1942/adam-sala/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
62. The Virtual Museum. (2020). Map – The Virtual Museum. [online] Available at: https://underwatermalta.org/map/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
63. The Virtual Museum. (2020). Map – The Virtual Museum. [online] Available at: https://underwatermalta.org/map/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
64. M.Giourgas. (2022). The wreck of the Polish Destroyer ORP Kujawiak – The history of a heroic ship sunk in 1942 – WW2Wrecks.com. [online] Available at: https://www.ww2wrecks.com/portfolio/the-wreck-of-the-polish-destroyer-orp-kujawiak-diving/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
65. Times of Malta, The (2018). Retrieval and conservation of Polish Naval ORP Kujawaik bell. [online] Times of Malta. Available at: https://timesofmalta.com/article/polish-bell.675579 [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
66. Times of Malta, The (2018). Retrieval and conservation of Polish Naval ORP Kujawaik bell. [online] Times of Malta. Available at: https://timesofmalta.com/article/polish-bell.675579 [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
67. Times of Malta, The (2018). Retrieval and conservation of Polish Naval ORP Kujawaik bell. [online] Times of Malta. Available at: https://timesofmalta.com/article/polish-bell.675579 [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
68. Times of Malta, The (2018). Retrieval and conservation of Polish Naval ORP Kujawaik bell. [online] Times of Malta. Available at: https://timesofmalta.com/article/polish-bell.675579 [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
69. Times of Malta, The (2018). Retrieval and conservation of Polish Naval ORP Kujawaik bell. [online] Times of Malta. Available at: https://timesofmalta.com/article/polish-bell.675579 [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
70. Heritage Malta. (2018). Retrieval and conservation of the Polish Naval ORP ‘Kujawaik’ bell – Heritage Malta. [online] Available at: https://heritagemalta.mt/news/retrieval-and-conservation-of-the-polish-naval-orp-kujawaik-bell/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
71. Times of Malta, The (2018). Retrieval and conservation of Polish Naval ORP Kujawaik bell. [online] Times of Malta. Available at: https://timesofmalta.com/article/polish-bell.675579 [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
72. Heritage Malta. (2018). Retrieval and conservation of the Polish Naval ORP ‘Kujawaik’ bell – Heritage Malta. [online] Available at: https://heritagemalta.mt/news/retrieval-and-conservation-of-the-polish-naval-orp-kujawaik-bell/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
73. The Virtual Museum. (2020). Map – The Virtual Museum. [online] Available at: https://underwatermalta.org/map/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
74. Ports and Yachting directorate (2019). Transport Malta. [online] 10 Jul. Available at: https://www.transport.gov.mt/Not_51_of_2019.pdf-f3966 [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
75. Ports and Yachting directorate (2019). Transport Malta. [online] 10 Jul. Available at: https://www.transport.gov.mt/Not_51_of_2019.pdf-f3966 [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
76. Ports and Yachting directorate (2019). Transport Malta. [online] 10 Jul. Available at: https://www.transport.gov.mt/Not_51_of_2019.pdf-f3966 [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
77. Heritage Malta. (2024). ORP Kujawiak L72 – Heritage Malta. [online] Available at: https://heritagemalta.mt/explore/orp-kujawiak-l72/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
78. Heritage Malta. (2024). ORP Kujawiak L72 – Heritage Malta. [online] Available at: https://heritagemalta.mt/explore/orp-kujawiak-l72/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
79. Maltadives.com. (2019). ORP Kujawiak wreck – Malta Dive Sites. [online] Available at: https://maltadives.com/sites/orpkujawiak/en [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
80. Maltadives.com. (2019). ORP Kujawiak wreck – Malta Dive Sites. [online] Available at: https://maltadives.com/sites/orpkujawiak/en [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
81. Maltadives.com. (2019). ORP Kujawiak wreck – Malta Dive Sites. [online] Available at: https://maltadives.com/sites/orpkujawiak/en [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
82. Poland in Malta. (2022). Celebration of the 80th anniversary of the sinking of ORP Kujawiak – Poland in Malta – Gov.pl website. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.pl/web/malta-en/celebration-of-the-80th-anniversary-of-the-sinking-of-orp-kujawiak [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
83. The Virtual Museum. (2020). Map – The Virtual Museum. [online] Available at: https://underwatermalta.org/map/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
84. Poland in Malta. (2022). Celebration of the 80th anniversary of the sinking of ORP Kujawiak – Poland in Malta – Gov.pl website. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.pl/web/malta-en/celebration-of-the-80th-anniversary-of-the-sinking-of-orp-kujawiak [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]
85. Poland in Malta. (2022). Sailing to the place of the tragedy of the Polish escort destroyer ORP Kujawiak – Poland in Malta – Gov.pl website. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.pl/web/malta-en/sailing-to-the-place-of-the-tragedy-of-the-polish-escort-destroyer-orp-kujawiak [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025][↩]

Remember: links were correct at time of publication.