Aquila Polonica - Poland WW2

12/08/2025

"A 102-year-old veteran understood to be the last surviving member of a Polish army division formed in Scotland during the Second World War has attended a mass in Edinburgh.

"Eugeniusz Niedzielski, 102, attended St Ninian and St Triduana catholic church in Restalrig on Sunday as part of a visit to Scotland organised by the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans.

"'It brings memories back to me: the places, the monuments and everything.'"

A true hero spreading his wisdom to the community! Full story at STV News:

Eugeniusz Niedzielski attended St Ninian and St Triduana catholic church in Restalrig on Sunday.

11/08/2025

August 11, 1892 – Polish General Władysław Anders was born in Krośniewice–Błonie, near Kutno (at that time part of the Russian Empire). He is best known today for leading Polish II Corps and accompanying civilians out of the Soviet Union during World War II.

Before World War II, Anders had an extensive military career. Anders commanded a cavalry brigade in the September 1939 defensive campaign against the Germans. Retreating eastward against the German onslaught, he was taken prisoner by Soviets, who had invaded Poland on September 17, 1939. During the fighting and retreat, Anders was wounded a number of times. After capture by the Soviets, he was imprisoned and tortured in the notorious Lubyanka prison in Moscow.

When Hi**er invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941, Polish Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief Władysław Sikorski negotiated an agreement with the Soviets that called for release of all Polish POWs and civilians in Soviet territory, and creation of a Polish army on Soviet soil. General Anders was named commander of this new Polish army, and released from Lubyanka prison. This new army became known as the Polish II Corps, or Anders’ Army.

Gathering as many Poles as he could, including women and children, Anders managed to get them out of the Soviet Union to Iran, Iraq and Palestine, where they trained with the British. Polish II Corps made many contributions to the liberation of Italy during World War II, including at the decisive and hard-fought Battle of Monte Cassino.

After the war, Anders remained in exile in Britain rather than return to a communist-controlled Poland. He took an active part in the Polish government-in-exile in London during the postwar years. Anders died in London on May 12, 1970.

08/08/2025

"Thousands of visitors descended on the small town of Wolin in northwest Poland last week for the 30th Slavs and Vikings Festival, one of Europe’s largest early medieval reenactment events.

"The four-day event, held from July 31 to August 3 in the town and the nearby village of Recław, featured historical shows, concerts, lectures, and workshops exploring the culture of early Slavs and Vikings."

Such a fun sounding celebration of history! Full story at TVP World:

Visitors could take part in archery, battle reenactments and medieval crafts.

07/08/2025

"Some 12,000 runners hit the streets of Warsaw on the last weekend of July to honour the heroes of a bloody World War II revolt against the Polish capital's N**i German occupiers.

"The annual Warsaw Uprising Run was held in the Polish capital to commemorate the wartime insurrection, which broke out 81 years ago.

"The 5- and 10-kilometre routes led around the city’s downtown and close to sites where heavy fighting took place during the failed uprising."

Great turnout for an amazing tradition! Full story at Polskie Radio:

Some 12,000 runners hit the streets of Warsaw on the last weekend of July to honour the heroes of a bloody World War II revolt against the Polish capital's N**i German occupiers.

06/08/2025

"On this day 81 years ago, Warsaw’s western district of Wola became the site of one of the most hideous atrocities to impact occupied Poland—a wanton bloodletting that resulted in the deaths of 40,000 to 50,000 civilians over the space of a week."

A detailed read at TVP World about this horrific tragedy and loss of life during the Warsaw Uprising. Remember the victims:

Between 40,000 and 50,000 civilians are believed to have been murdered.

05/08/2025

"Eighty-five years since Britain's RAF dueled with Hi**er's Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain, the pivotal role Polish pilots played in one of the most significant air battles in European history is being celebrated with a day dedicated to their extraordinary achievements.

"Although Polish pilots had not yet entered the fray, on August 2, 1940, Poland’s 303 Squadron arrived at the RAF Northolt air base, and it is this moment that forms the foundation for the Battle of Britain Bunker museum’s Polish Air Force Day celebrations on Saturday."

An excellent celebration for these heroic aces, learn about them at TVP World:
https://tvpworld.com/88144288/polish-air-force-celebrated-for-pivotalrole-in-battle-of-britain

If you want to learn the full story about Polish 303 Squadron and their top-scoring record during the Battle of Britain, check out our book "303 Squadron: The Legendary Battle of Britain Fighter Squadron" by Arkady Fiedler:
https://www.amazon.com/303-Squadron-Legendary-Britain-Fighter/dp/1607720051

The Battle of Britain Bunker museum celebrated Polish Air Force Day to honor Poland’s role in defending Britain’s skies.

04/08/2025

"Polish and Ukrainian specialists on Monday began searching a former cemetery in Lviv’s Zboiska district to exhume and rebury Polish Army soldiers killed defending the city in 1939, Ukraine’s culture ministry said.

"The joint team launched work at the site of the former Zboiska cemetery, now within Lviv’s city limits."

Remembering the heroes and victims at Polskie Radio:

Polish and Ukrainian specialists on Monday began searching a former cemetery in Lviv’s Zboiska district to exhume and rebury Polish Army soldiers killed defending the city in 1939, Ukraine’s culture ministry said.

02/08/2025

"As Warsaw pauses to commemorate the Warsaw Uprising, TVP World looks at ten buildings in the capital that encapsulate the story of the battle from its beginning to its end.

An excellent read on the background of the Warsaw Uprising and the history that still stands around us today at TVP World:

The story of the Warsaw Uprising as told by ten key buildings.

01/08/2025

An excerpt from the August 1, 1944 entry in Julian Kulski's wartime diary. Julian 'Goliat' Kulski served with the 9th Company Commando (AKA Żniwiarz Group), Żoliborz Division of the Armia Krajowa during the Warsaw Uprising:

"It was then early afternoon. Two huge German trucks, loaded with special SS anti-insurgency commandos, stopped on the boulevard and began firing into Suzina Street with machine guns and rifles. We in turn opened up on them, and their bullets roared over our heads and hit the walls of the apartment building from which we were firing. This exchange of fire gave me my first opportunity to use my newly acquired rifle. At one point, we had had no wounded, although several Germans had been struck by our bullets. Then, however, after half an hour’s engagement, I saw that two of our men had been hit and were being carried to a nearby house. The Germans, who had not yet been really able to reach us with their fire, sent a sharpshooter to the end of the street opposite us in order to gauge our exact location. One had to admit that he showed great bravery, for his mission pretty well marked him for certain death.

"To our amazement, without any cover, the sharpshooter crossed the whole distance between the place where the German trucks were situated and the end of our street. Only there, when he was facing us, did a bullet from Cadet-Officer ‘Mirski’s’ gun strike him."

31/07/2025

"THE remarkable contribution of Polish forces posted in Hillingdon during World War Two will be highlighted on Polish Air Force Day at the Battle of Britain Bunker Exhibition and Visitor Centre, Uxbridge, this Saturday (2).

"Nine Polish fighter squadrons, including 303 Squadron stationed at RAF Northolt, took part in campaigns organised by Fighter Command based at RAF Uxbridge and co-ordinated from the bunker.

"A commemorative day this Saturday, 10am-4pm, will feature historical talks, guided tours and pop-up exhibitions. "

This sounds like an amazing event! Full details at Hillingdon & Uxbridge Times:

THE remarkable contribution of Polish forces posted in Hillingdon during World War Two will be highlighted on Polish Air Force Day at the Battle of…

30/07/2025

"'Share the memory lest it fades away' is one of the key slogans for this year’s commemoration of the Warsaw Uprising, as Poland prepares to mark its 81st anniversary.

"In Warsaw and across the country, people will observe a symbolic minute of silence at exactly 5 p.m. on Friday - the moment known as the 'W' Hour - when the uprising against N**i German occupation began on 1 August 1944."

The time to honor the Rising approaches! Details at Polskie Radio:

“Share the memory lest it fades away” is one of the key slogans for this year’s commemoration of the Warsaw Uprising, as Poland prepares to mark its 81st anniversary.

29/07/2025

"A special celebration has been held at the Polish embassy in Washington, D.C., to mark the 100th birthday of Colonel Romuald Lipiński, a veteran of the Italian Campaign of 1943 who took part in the Battle of Monte Cassino. Lipiński lives in Virginia."

An absolute hero! Watch the video at TVP World:

A special celebration has been held at the Polish embassy in Washington, D.C., to mark the 100th birthday of Colonel Romuald Lipiński, a veteran of the Italian Campaign of 1943 who took part in the Battle of Monte Cassino. Lipiński lives in Virginia.