Orneta 2008-01-14
29th Fighter Aviation Regiment in Orneta.
1952 – 1968
History 29 PLM.
The 29th Fighter Aviation Regiment was one of the units of the Polish People’s Army (LWP) that was established on the wave of a huge increase in Poland’s military potential under the dictates of Moscow. The 29th PLM was planned to be part of the 9th Fighter Aviation Division. The Polish Minister of National Defense – Polish Marshal Konstanty Rokossowski (who is Polish?), by order of March 23, 1952, ordered the formation of the 29th PLM. The commander of the 9th DLM (fighter aviation division) announced the formation of a regiment in the city of Orneta by organizational order. The 26th PLM and 29th PLM were initially formed together at one airfield. But soon after, the 26th PLM was transferred to Malbork, from where the following year it was transferred to Zegrze Pomorskie. Our hero, the 29th PLM, was still stationed at the airport in Orneta. Only for a short time, when the airport was undergoing renovation, the Regiment was stationed in Malbork.
The general plans were to establish four divisions, with three hunting regiments in each division. However, Poland’s difficult economic situation made it impossible to establish such a large number of air regiments. A new order No. 0078/Org was issued. of November 19, 1952, which established the formation of tactical air units consisting of two air regiments. Therefore, the creation of the 24th PLM, 27th PLM and others was abandoned, and the 11th DLM received the 26th PLM from the 9th DLM under its orders. The second regiment subordinated to the 11th DLM became the 40th PLM from Świdwin, where the remaining units of the division were also placed. Therefore, the 29th PLM, together with the 41st PLM from Malbork, was under the orders of the 9th DLM in Malbork and belonged to the Air Force.
Orneta airport.
The airport is equipped with a runway measuring 2,000 m x 30 m, with an orientation of 06/24. Concrete surface. It has geographical coordinates 54.07 N 20.05 E and is located at an altitude of 53 m above sea level.
The airport was built in the 1930s by the Germans. It was an alternate airport for Elbląg Airport. They were used for training purposes. It was equipped with a grassy flying field. In 1933, when Hitler came to power, they began to be intensively expanded. Barracks, a headquarters, a canteen, hangars, warehouses, a fuel depot, an ammunition depot (bomb depot), guardhouses and others were built here. Most of the buildings were made of wood, covered with sheet metal or roofing felt. It is possible that in the period 1942-1944, a concrete runway with dimensions of 1,200 m x 30 m was built on the take-off field. Work at the airport was performed mainly by prisoners, and during World War II – prisoners of war.
During World War II, the airport was occupied by the Muscovites and operated by them until 1950. From 1952, it was taken over by the Polish Aviation. In the period 1952 – 1953, the airport was expanded. Renovations of the airport were carried out quite regularly, especially the runway and taxiways (1956 – 1958, 1961 – 1962, 1965). The airport was closely associated with the 29th PLM, and after its disbandment it fell into oblivion and was gradually devastated. Back in 1972, taxiway No. 1 was renovated, but that was it. For some time, the airport and its facilities served as a technical warehouse. The airport is (2008) unidentified and not entered in the register. The airport is managed by the Military Property Agency.
29 PLM in Orneta.
29 PLM (JW. 4988) began its operations in difficult conditions. When the Russians left the cities and airports, they left nothing behind. Their unit was presumably relocated to the northwestern part of Poland. In 1952, the 29th PLM was forced to take over buildings belonging to the Catholic Church. (Information uncertain). In the period 1952 – 1953, construction works at the airport were carried out by the 51st Airport Construction Battalion (Unit 4003). This unit adapted the airport to accept and operate turbojet-powered fighter aircraft, consisting of one regiment. The airport was classified as class II-b with a runway measuring 2,000 m x 30 m.
On January 2, 1953, the first meeting of the Regiment’s personnel took place at the airport in Orneta. The Regiment’s basic combat aircraft became the Lim-1, and the SB Lim-1 became its training and combat aircraft. Around 1955, the Regiment received more modern Lim-2 aircraft.
1959 year.
In May 1959, the regiment received the first two Lim-5 P fighters no. 1D-0403 and 1D-0408.
In June 1959, the regiment received one MiG-17 PF aircraft from 28 PLM OPL OK.
In 1959, it was decided to compare the skills of fighter pilots from different units in direct competition. From September 28, 1959 to October 2, 1959, the first Central National Air Force and Anti-Air Defense Competition, individual and team competitions for the fighter aviation championship, took place after World War II. There were several teams and 19 competitors in individual competitions at the start. They were at the starting line because they won the qualifying rounds in their own units. Some pilots competed individually and in teams. The players were given the following tasks; higher piloting, intercepting the enemy, shooting at ground and air targets, landing with the engine turned off, night flight along the route with exit over radio beacons at a given time, etc.
All teams and individual pilots received armbands with numbers. The competitions were held on a grand scale. One aircraft was assessed by several judges on an ongoing basis. The tapes from the photo guns were analyzed in detail. In several competitions, the judges assessed the performance of the task directly from the air, flying alongside in another plane. They assessed the course of the attack, safety, and the commander’s decision-making. The pilots from 29 PLM performed excellently, especially Capt. Franciszek Walenty, who individually took 1st place.
Classification – Individual;
1st place captain Franciszek Walentyn from 29 PLM High School – 2,280 points.
2nd place lieutenant (capt.) Stefan Ziębicki (Ziembicki) from 40 PLM LO – 2,210 points.
3rd place captain Garczyński – 2,155 points.
Teamwise;
1st place: Kałkus team from 1 PLM from Mińsk Mazowiecki – 2,670 points.
2nd place, Daniłowicz’s team – 2,660 points.
3rd place team of captain Franciszek Walentyn from 29 PLM High School – 2,335 points.
1960 year.
In the spring of 1960 the first Lim-5 was delivered to the regiment. About 8 pieces.
In 1960, the 2nd Central Fighter Aviation Championships of WL and OPL OK were held. This time they were organized at several airports. The central place was the airport in Krzesiny with its host 62 PLM. And this time the pilots from 29 PLM did not disappoint. As a team, 3rd place was again won by Capt.’s team. Pilot Franciszek Walentyn.
In September 1960, central celebrations were held on the occasion of Aviation Day in Łódź. The 29th Regiment presented 6 Lim-2 aircraft for air demonstrations under the command of Capt. pilot Franciszek Walentyn.
A very difficult exercise was carried out at Orneta Airport. It involved a night landing without the use of airport lighting. All selected pilots landed safely at the airport. However, this exercise was extremely dangerous. The pilots attempted to land several times to assess the situation as best as possible and avoid a disaster. This exercise was not repeated any more times.
Disbandment of the 29th PLM in Orneta.
The second half of the 1960s was a period of another reorganization in Polish Military Aviation. As a result, some regiments were disbanded. Among others, 29 PLM from Orneta, which was a big surprise for the regiment’s staff. The basis was the Order of the General Staff of the Polish Army No. 0197/Org of July 12, 1968, which ordered the commander of the Air Force to disband the Regiment by December 31, 1968.
Aircraft used in 29 PLM;
WSK Lim-1, WSK Lim-2, WSK Lim-5, WSK Lim-5 P, Mikojan and Guriewicz MiG-17 PF, WSK TS-8 Bies.Written by Karol Placha Hetman