The first fights fought by Polish soldiers after planet War II were clashes with the Red Khmers in Cambodia. They took place in 1992–1993 during the UN-et peace mission. Today, veterans of this operation received president Andrzej Duda's Cross of Merit for Courage. The ceremony was held at the Veteran Centre outside the state borders.
– You have earned this discrimination with your dedication," she said. Director of the Veteran Centre, Colonel Dr. Katarzyna Rałędowska during the awards ceremony to veterans, UN UN UNTAC mission participants in Cambodia, the Cross of Merit for Courage.
At the request of the Minister of National Defence, president Andrzej Duda awarded 11 veterans. The Crosses of Merit for Courage received "for deeds fulfilled under peculiarly hard conditions, with exceptional courage, with the hazard of life or health". Jarosław Piłewski, manager of the Armed Forces Department of the Armed Forces in BBN.
Worst-paid quota
– Thank you for your service and I am glad that after years the Polish state has corrected its mistake. You can proudly wear this award – he turned to veterans with defects. Piszewski. He recalled that in 1992 700 people were sent to Cambodia “in a unusual chain of command” and were not provided with adequate social conditions. “It was the worst-paid quota,” he said.
Decorated veterans besides congratulated the Colonel Dr. Katarzyna Rałędowska. – You have proved that the Polish soldier is ready to defend the highest values – life and security. You have shown that by defending yourself against the Red Khmers, erstwhile it was essential to defend the base and colleagues, the Polish soldier can behave as he needs to," emphasized the officer. She addressed warm words to the families of soldiers who besides attended the celebrations.
On behalf of the decorated, the young Chor. Andrzej Wątroba spoke. He thanked you for the awards and for the memory. “We were appreciated, which we are very pleased with,” said the CO.
The Polish military contingent as part of the UNTAC mission (1992–1993) was sent to aid prepare the first democratic elections following the completion of the country's respective years of civilian war. Polish soldiers were not to participate in combat operations in Cambodia. Their task was to supply logistical and engineering support to UN peacekeeping forces.
They delivered fuel, water...
Veterans toldthat the first challenge was the climate conditions in Cambodia: temperature +40°C, humidity 98%. Another challenge was the fulfilment by POLLOG's logistics battalion of the tasks of food, fuel, water and another essential materials of all military and civilian components created under the UN mission. It was besides not an easy task to group the bomb squads (consisting of 2 companies: engineering-road and technical) which were liable for maintaining any roads.
Young people in the remainder of the planet Ryszard Gębka, who spent 14 months in Cambodia, did not anticipate to receive specified a advanced distinction. “It has been many years since the mission, but this is simply a pleasant surprise,” she notes. He recalls how as a driver he rode on a Sanitary mission, delivering the sick to a infirmary in the country's capital – Phnom Penh. Then he drove a truck. “We delivered water and another goods stationed in Cambodia to soldiers from different countries,” explains the officer.
The Khmer Red Attack
In early May 1993, he arrived with supplies to the base at Siem Reap. In this city, at an airport 4 km from the celebrated Angkor Wat temple complex, the erstwhile capital of the Khmer Empire (IX–XV century), 4 companies were stationed, which was commanded by Major Wiesław Słoniewski. It was there on May 3, 1993, at 4.55 pm, erstwhile it was inactive dark, that the Khmera Reds emerged from the jungle, armed with a 82 mm mortar and device guns. Polish soldiers countered their attack. There have been incidents before. We had a prepared defense, but it was inactive hard – admits young people in the hospital. Ryszard Gębka.
The Cross of Merit for Courage was besides received by St. Chor. staff. in st. rest. Jerzy Marekko. On the UNTAC mission, he was active in supplying soldiers of another armies with water, fuel and lubricants. He delivered 60,000 litres of oil and 40,000 litres of petrol in canisters and centimetre barrels to them on a weekly basis. any were transported by helicopters erstwhile land transport was impossible. Jerzy Marekko besides survived the Red Khmer attack of May 3, 1993. I was woken by mortars and grenade launchers. I got dressed rapidly and took a seat at the pre-designated station – he says. For him, the fact that the soldiers who fought the Red Khmers were appreciated present is simply a pleasant surprise. “When the commander of our battalion from Cambodia called me and informed me of the award granted to me, I was glad that after so many years our mission service was appreciated,” he says. “It’s only a pity that many colleagues have not lived to see this moment”, adds the staff. in st. rest. Jerzy Marekko.
In total, 1253 professional soldiers and essential services and military personnel, as well as 16 military observers from Poland, participated in the UNTAC mission. 5 Polish soldiers did not return home from this operation. In 3 cases, the origin of their death was an accident, in the following cases, illness and suicide.
