Blida is an Algerian town on the Mediterranean coast, at the foot of the Atlas Mountains. It was founded in the 16th century by Sidi-Ahmed El-Kebir. It lies 45 km south-west of Algiers, the country’s capital. In 1940, it became a training site for Polish airmen.
The name ‘Blida’ is derived from the Arabic word ‘Belda’, meaning city. The first settlements were created here as early as Roman times, but over time the area became deserted and people migrated. They returned in the 16th century with the boom in trade - it turned out that Blida was very conveniently placed on the trade route along the coast. In addition, the fertile soils and friendly microclimate favoured the cultivation of fruit trees; to this day, Blida is famous for growing oranges. The city and region have been inhabited for thousands of years by many tribes speaking the Berber blida language, similar to the Kabylie varieties spoken east of the Algiers province. Over time, the city also became a place of rest and a favourite spot of the Turkish rulers of Algiers. French troops captured Blida in 1839; nine years later the town was granted its municipal status. After regaining independence, the city’s role increased due to its proximity to Algiers. Institutions for which there was no place in the capital, such as the university, have been relocated here. Blida has also become a bedroom community of the capital, with which it is well connected.
Poles arrived in the city in March 1940. The French Army initially planned to use Polish airmen to form bomb squadrons. The Poles were not trusted, the French believed that the quick defeat in the defensive war had demoralised the Polish soldiers and that they needed training and skills verification. In Blida and its immediate vicinity, the French located aviation repair facilities, a school for technical personnel, organised pilot courses on twin-engine bomber aircraft and fighter planes and an Aircraft Gunners School. One of the pilots who came to Blida was Bohdan Arct, later commander of the 316th Fighter Squadron and author of numerous books on aviation. In his “Pilot’s Diary” he noted his first observations of Blida:
Blida is a small town of around forty thousand people, beautifully situated at the foot of the Tell Atlas Mountains. Exotic vegetation, palm trees, orange trees, plenty of flowers and fruit. The air is filled with the scent of flowers. Crowds of Arabs in filthy headscarves and Arab women wrapped up to their eyes, lots of colourful military, spahis and tirailleurs. Exoticism all round, but all the comforts of civilisation are already in place here, as Algiers is the oldest colony of France. Tarmac roads full of cars, electricity and gas and cinemas in town. European cafés and restaurants. Beautiful fountains lit up in the evenings. Anti-aircraft blackout does not exist.
The first group of Poles began training on 19 March, with Major Robert Beill who became the commander of the Polish group. They were divided into a group focused on fighter training and pilots with student shooters on single- and twin-engine aircrafts. One of such “chauffeurs” driving the students was Bohdan Arct, who described the reality of aviator life as follows:
On site, we report to Major Beill, commander of the Polish garrison in Blida. Nineteen of our pilots are already there. The soldiers are given quarters at the airport, the five of us are taken to the city, where we are placed... in a maternity clinic, requisitioned by the army. First-class accommodation, clean, all comforts, own room. (...) There is a school for aeroplane gunners, ours are pilots and they fly with the students on assignments carrying them on Potez 25 and twin-engine Bloch 200 type aircraft.
About 150 Poles were employed at the aviation plant, whose work was directed by Lt Witold Czupryński. The cadre of this team included Lt. Eng. Stanislaw Kontowtta, 2Lt. Jerzy Łazarowicz, Platoon Officer Cadet Stefan Madejczyk, Platoon Officer Cadet Eng. Władysław Włodarczyk and Technician Lt. Zygmunt Woźniak. This was a group of airframe mechanics, engine mechanics, armourers, radio and photo mechanics, meteorologists and drivers, who were distributed to the French training squadrons, the park and the vehicle workshop. Polish technicians had a reputation with the French as excellent professionals who were readily employed in French units.
Another group of Polish airmen arrived in Blida on 26 April, they were sent to a course in piloting French multi-engine aircraft. Polish officers used their free time for sightseeing excursions; Bohdan Arct recalled, for example, a trip to the monkey reserve at Ruisseau des Signes. The German attack on France resulted in several Poles being drafted into French units. One of them, Sergeant Juliusz Ostrowski, took part in an inconclusive battle with an Italian bomber.
A fighter patrol was created from Polish fighter pilots to defend the Maison-Blanche airfield. The patrol was commanded by Lt. Wojciech Kołaczkowski and consisted of Lt. Stefan Janus, Lt. Jan Wiśniewski, 2Lt. Jan Szyszka, 2Lt. Zbigniew Gutowski and Master Corporal Stanislaw Grondowski.
After the fall of France, the Poles from Blida were evacuated to Casablanca from where they sailed to the UK. A trace of their stay in Blida is the grave of 2Lt. Ryszard Michy, who died on 20 June 1940 during the crash of Nieuport Ni-D 622.
After the Allies occupied French Africa, the airfield in Blida was expanded and used by units carrying out supply flights for partisans in occupied Europe. The planes performed shuttle flights - after taking off from the UK, they would make a drop over Europe and land in Blida. They then made a return flight. No. 1586 Polish Special Duties Flight used this airport to relocate their planes.
