Exeter is a city and district in the United Kingdom (county of Devon). Port on the River Exe, at the mouth of the English Channel. From its very beginnings, the city's history has been closely linked to its port role and location (e.g. the city contributed to defeating the Spanish Armada in the second half of the 16th century). Over time, it has also grown in importance in terms of trading, especially since the Industrial Revolution.
During the Second World War, Exeter was bombed by the German Luftwaffe, which led to the destruction of a significant area of the city centre. Between April 1941 and April 1943, Exeter was defended against Luftwaffe attacks by No. 307 Polish Night Fighter Squadron (nicknamed the "Eagle Owls"), which was based at the local airfield.
In April and May 1942, in response to RAF bombing of Lübeck and Rostock, a large portion of the city was razed by German incendiary bombs. Many historic buildings in the centre (including the Gothic cathedral) were destroyed at that time.
On the night of 4 May 1942, No. 307 Polish Squadron sent four available aircraft against forty German Junkers Ju 88 bombers. The Poles shot down four Luftwaffe bombers, and made it impossible for the rest to drop bombs on the city.
To emphasise the friendship between the Polish pilots and the people of Exeter at that time, on 15 November 1942, representatives of the squadron presented the city with a Polish flag, which was then hung in front of Exeter Cathedral. Starting from 2012, the Polish flag flutters above the Town Hall on 15 November, with the day being celebrated as "No. 307 Polish Squadron Day". What is also interesting is that Exeter has the same motto as Lviv, namely "Semper Fidelis".
On 15 November 2017, a plaque commemorating the Polish squadron was unveiled in St James' Chapel at Exeter Cathedral. About 30 Polish pilots are buried at the local Higher Cemetery in Exeter (in the north-east quarter).