The Museum of Parachuting and Special Forces – Wisła Poland
Nestled in Wisła, southern Poland, the Muzeum Spadochroniarstwa i Wojsk Specjalnych (Museum of Parachuting and Special Forces) is a privately owned museum dedicated to preserving the rich history of Polish parachuting and special operations. Spanning from the Second Polish Republic to the present day, this remarkable collection offers a deep dive into Poland’s airborne and special forces heritage.
The museum is the brainchild of Piotr Wybraniec, an accomplished skydiver, lawyer, historian, and author, who began collecting artifacts in 1978. His passion culminated in the museum’s opening in February 2003, commemorating the 60th anniversary of Adolph Pilch’s wartime parachute insertion into Poland. Pilch, a Wisła local, was a member of the Cichociemni, the Polish section of the Special Operations Executive during World War II.
The museum features an extensive array of insignia, documents, uniforms, and equipment, including radio sets, weapons, and various parachutes. It covers all Polish airborne and special operations units while also dedicating sections to civilian skydiving and the parachute activities of Polish scouting organizations.
With over 10,000 pieces, the collection boasts many rare and historically significant items. Among them are prototype and early vests used by Jednostka Wojskowa GROM (Poland’s elite special forces unit), as well as personal artifacts belonging to its founder, Colonel Sławomir Petelicki, and subsequent commander, Brigadier General Marian Sowiński. The museum’s strong ties with veterans and active-duty soldiers have played a key role in building this exceptional archive.
More Than Just a Museum
Piotr is deeply committed to promoting awareness of Polish parachuting history, both military and civilian. He has had a number of books published about the subject and actively organizes public displays in collaboration with veteran organizations and the units represented in the museum. However, as a private museum with no regular staff or fixed opening hours, visits require prior arrangement.
My visit to the museum was made possible by Rafał Niedziela, a well-respected collector and author of the excellent reference book Tobie Ojczyzno: Znaki Spadochronowe i Szybowcowe w Polskich Siłach Zbrojnych (1941-1947) (Polish Armed Forces Parachute & Glider Badges, 1941-1947). Rafał generously drove several hours from his hometown to guide us through the collection. Alongside Piotr, he patiently answered my questions, providing invaluable context to the exhibits. Their knowledge and enthusiasm significantly enhanced my appreciation for these artifacts, especially given my limited background in Polish airborne and special operations history.
Meeting Rafał and Piotr, then exploring this extraordinary collection, was undeniably the highlight of my trip to Poland. If you have an interest in airborne or special operations history, Piotr’s museum is a must-see. However, keep in mind that due to Piotr’s professional commitments, visits must be arranged in advance. If you plan to be in Poland and would like to experience this hidden gem, be sure to contact him ahead of time. The effort will undoubtedly be worth it
Visiting Details
Muzeum Spadochroniarstwa
St Przylesie 1a
43-460 Wisła
Contact Piotr
Main Phone: +48 338 551 353
Mobile phone: +48 694 616 530
E-mail: pwybraniec@post.pl
Website: http://www.muzeum-spadochroniarstwa.pl
Polish Airborne & Special Forces Overview
Poland was one of the first countries to recognise the value of airborne troops and began experimenting with military parachuting in 1936. By the outbreak of the Second World War, training was well underway, but the early destruction of the Polish Air Force prevented any parachute operations from being undertaken.
A cadre of parachute instructors escaped to England and their technical knowledge proved to be invaluable during the formative stage of British Airborne development after June 1940. They also formed a Polish training section at RAF Ringway, training the Polish “Cichociemni” special agents of the SOE and providing instructors to train the 1st (Polish) Independent Parachute Brigade in Scotland after its formation in September 1941. The Brigade went on to play a notable role during Operation Market Garden in 1944 and with the Polish 1st Armoured Division until it’s disbanding in 1947.
On the Eastern Front, a Polish Independent Special Battalion was formed in 1943, tasked with conducting sabotage and reconnaissance operations behind enemy lines, deploying 67 sabotage-recce groups. In occupied Poland there were also units such as “Parasol” and “Zoska” Home Army Battalions, which became a part of special operations tradition. The Russians also selected some 150 Polish partisans who had been fighting with the Soviets to attend a Soviet parachute school. In July 1944, seventy of these men jumped behind German lines at Rakon, to help reinforce the resistance.
In 1957 Poland, now under Soviet occupation, reorganised the 6th Pomeranian Infantry Division (6 DP) to become the 6th Pomeranian Airborne Division.
In 1986 the Division was restructured as the 6th Pomeranian Airborne Brigade and now serves as the Polish Army’s airmobile quick reaction force. It also provides supporting elements for the Polish Special Forces Command which is the fourth branch of the Polish Armed Forces and composed of several specialist units including the SF Training Centre, GROM, FORMOZA (Naval special ops), JWK Commandos and JW NIL (support unit) . These units have participated in several operational deployments including to Haiti, The Balkans, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan and in operations against Islamic State in the Middle East amongst others.
