In July 1943 , a plane carrying Sikorski plunged into the sea immediately after takeoff from Gibraltar , killing all on board except the pilot . The exact circumstances of Sikorski 's death have been disputed and have given rise to a number of different theories surrounding the crash and his death . Sikorski had been the most prestigious leader of the Polish exiles , and his death was a severe setback for the Polish cause
plunged into the sea
1943 Gibraltar B-24 crash
Władysław Sikorski