Poland in the UK

Cllr Sir Ray Puddifoot, London Borough of Hillingdon Armed Forces Champion, His Excellency Professor Arkady Rzegocki, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the Court of St James’s, and the Mayor of Hillingdon, Cllr Roy Chamdal were among those laying wreaths at the memorial before unveiling two interpretation boards (one in English and one in Polish) in the remembrance garden. They were joined by representatives from the Polish Airmen’s Association, the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee, the Polish Ex-Combatants’ Association in Great Britain, local councillors and other dignitaries from the Embassy of the Republic of Poland.

The interpretation boards tell the story of the Polish Army following the invasion of Poland by Germany and the Soviet Union in September 1939, including deportations of Poles to the Soviet Union, the Katyn Massacre, the capturing of Monte Cassino by the Polish 2nd Corps, the role of the 1st Polish Armoured Division in the Normandy Campaign and of the 1st Independent Polish Parachute Brigade in Operation Market Garden as well as the efforts of the Home Army in Poland.

Cllr Puddifoot said: “We are here today in the Polish Forces Remembrance Garden to remember, pay tribute and honour the Polish Army who together with the Polish Air Force and Navy played a significant part in defeating Nazi Germany in World War Two.

“With the inclusion of a tribute to the Polish Army here in the Polish Forces  Remembrance Garden in Hillingdon, we hope to provide both a lasting tribute and show our gratitude to the men and women of Poland who fought for, and helped retain, our freedom.”

His Excellency Professor Arkady Rzegocki said: “It is a great honour to unveil the commemorative boards dedicated to the Polish Army next to what is one of the most important monuments in the UK marking the Polish Second World War effort.

“During the war, the Polish Army’s exploits knew no limits. The Norwegian Campaign, the Battle of France, North Africa, Italy, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany – the Polish troops fought bravely in some of the most important battles of the war. At Monte Cassino, the Polish 2nd Corps led by General Władysław Anders succeeded where previous Allied assaults had failed, opening the road to Rome. By capturing Hill 262 Mont Ormel, General Stanisław Maczek’s 1st Polish Armoured Division closed the Falaise pocket in the crucial moments of the Normandy campaign. Meanwhile, at Arnhem and in Poland, the 1st Independent Polish Parachute Brigade and the Home Army respectively fought gallantly and suffered heavy losses.

“Being unveiled in the remembrance garden at the Polish Air Force Memorial, the boards find a home near to a monument remembering another great chapter in the Polish war history – the contribution of Polish airmen and airwomen serving in the Polish Air Force squadrons during the Second World War – and stand beside similar boards in the garden dedicated to the Polish Navy and Air Force. Together, they create a fitting tribute to the wider effort of the Polish soldiers, sailors, and airmen and airwomen who fought since day one of the Second World War, were present on nearly every front of the war and constituted the fourth largest Allied force of the war. The memory of the heroes who fought for the freedom of Poland, the United Kingdom and Europe is especially significant today. It is an important inspiration and shows how much freedom costs. Knowledge of history facilitates better mutual understanding and cooperation. May the memory of our heroes be celebrated forever.”

Polish Embassy UK Press Office / Hillingdon Council