The celebrations will take place on January 6, 2026, with the official opening at 12:00 noon, at the Monument to the Conquerors of Ławica, located at the historic terminal of Poznań-Ławica Airport (currently the General Aviation terminal) on Bukowska Street.

The event is organized by Poznań-Ławica Airport, in cooperation with the Poznań Aeroclub Aviation Seniors Club and the Association of Military Aviation Seniors of the Republic of Poland. It is open to the public and intergenerational. It is an opportunity to spend time together, learn about the history of the place, and see it in a lively, accessible, and engaging way – for both adults and children.

Official part at the Monument to the Conquerors of Ławica

Time: 12:00 p.m.
Location: Monument to the Conquerors of Ławica at the old airport terminal (Bukowska Street).

Host: Poznań-Ławica Airport and co-organizer: Poznań Aeroclub Aviation Seniors Club and the Association of Military Aviation Seniors of the Republic of Poland

• Welcoming the participants
• Speeches by representatives of the authorities and invited guests
• Laying flowers at the monument
• Tribute to the Wielkopolska aviators murdered in Katyń – lighting of candles at the “Oaks of Remembrance” (“Dęby Pamięci”)
• Participation of representatives of the US Army V Corps, Poznań diplomatic missions, local government and military authorities
• Accompanied by color guards and the Military Orchestra

Historical picnic – Conquest of Ławica (reenactment) – 7th edition

Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: clearing near the Conquerors of Ławica monument

Open event.

Organizer: Poznań-Ławica Airport.
Implementation: Ławica Air Station (reenactors)

• Presentation of reenactment groups and their equipment
• Horse riding competition for the “Conquerors of Ławica Award” 2nd edition
• Reenactment of the battles for Ławica
• Presentation of military equipment and historical vehicles
• Parade of the cavalry of the 15th Poznań Uhlan Regiment
• Collectors’ and souvenir stands and catering
• Historical lecture in a specially prepared tent

The celebrations of the Capture of Ławica are an important part of the regional commemorations of the Greater Poland Uprising, symbolically complementing them. They are of particular significance for Poznań-Ławica Airport, as the airport operates in a place that was directly involved in the events of 1919.

As the current hosts of this area, we feel responsible for nurturing the heritage from which Polish military aviation grew, and in the longer term, civil aviation in Poznań. For the seventh time, the celebrations are enriched by a historical picnic, which presents the history of events from over a hundred years ago in an accessible form and involves numerous reenactment, military, and cultural communities.

On January 6, 1919, during the Greater Poland Uprising, Poznań insurgents took military action to capture the German military airport located at that time in the village of Ławica near Poznań (now within the city limits). The attack began at 6:30 a.m., preceded by artillery fire from Berlin Hill. These actions were aimed at limiting damage to infrastructure and aviation equipment.

At the same time, an infantry attack was carried out. After about 20 minutes of fighting, the airport was captured. One insurgent was killed and several were wounded in the clash. On the German side, two were killed and a dozen or so were wounded. 110 soldiers were taken prisoner.

The insurgents captured 26 operational aircraft, 20 machine guns, and a significant amount of preserved aviation equipment. In total, about 70 aircraft were seized, 50 of which were ready for use. The value of the captured property was estimated at around 200 million German marks, making the capture of Ławica the largest war booty in the history of the Polish army. This equipment played an important role, among others, in the battles for Lviv and during the Polish-Bolshevik War in 1920.

An integral part of the contemporary celebrations is also paying tribute to the airmen murdered in Katyn, whose memorial plaques, as part of the “Oaks of Remembrance” initiative, are located at the site of the ceremony.

The event is held under the honorary patronage of the Marshal of the Wielkopolska Province.