The Lublin commandos inherit the legacy of, among others, the “Miotła” Battalion, soldiers of territorial defence troops cultivate the traditions of the National Army, battlemen from Żagań are the heirs of the tankers Gen. Maczka. Everyone repeats - symbols are important. But even more crucial than them are circumstantial people.
Combat squad A Military Unit of Commandos inherits the legacy of broomists – soldiers of 1 of the National Army's selection battalions from the Radosław Group. photograph Daniel Dmitriew/JWK
September afternoon, Hartenstein Museum in Dutch Oosterbeek. Lt. Magdalena Trzebińska-Gawin stands in front of a black and white photograph that depicts a man in Polish uniform. After a while of reflection, he throws to his colleagues standing next to him: – I know this picture. It was hanging in my household house. – 1 of the officers explains that Captain Ludwik Bogdan Zwolanski of Kazimierz Wielki is the soldier in the photo. I just came from these parts. I'm certain they're my household due to the fact that my grandma was besides called Zwolańska," the lieutenant says. It turns out the soldier in the photograph is her uncle.
In the Netherlands, Lieutenant Magdalena Trzebińska-Gawin went along with a delegation of the 6th Airborne Brigade. Soldiers from Krakow have been coming here for years, on the occasion of the next anniversary ‘Market-Garden’ operations. They visit memorial sites, participate in authoritative celebrations, execute parachute jumps. And all to celebrate the memory of your predecessors from 1 The Parade Brigade on its own General Stanisław Sosabowski. 6 BPD inherits traditions of the celebrated planet War II unit.
As part of the celebration of the anniversary of the operation "Market Garden", joint falls of NATO air-desanant units are organised. 6 BPDs are besides involved. photograph 6 BPD
A comparative of Lt Magdalena Trzebińska-Gawin, Captain Ludwik Bogdan Zwolanski, took part in Operation “Market-Garden” – he was a liaison officer. During the fighting, he showed courage, defeating Ren's influence to deliver a message to General Stanisław Sosabowski. Many Polish and English soldiers survived. After the war, he emigrated with his household to Australia. In 2014, he became the patron of the 2nd assault company of the 16th Airborne Battalion. “There was quite a few talk in the household home about him, but I was besides tiny to understand. I didn't remember those stories erstwhile I joined the 6th Airborne Brigade. The memories came back to life erstwhile I saw my uncle's picture. Now the character of our household is an inspiration to me in everyday service and I am convinced that he can be a motivation besides for another soldiers in our elite formation – Lt. Magdalena Trzebińska-Gawin admits today. household past allowed her to look at the ministry from a completely fresh perspective. She realized that she was someway following the footsteps of a peculiar person. In hard moments, specified awareness is simply a strength.
We found a common language
– This is like a relay that connects generations – admits Brig-Gen Tomasz Białas, commander of the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade. erstwhile he was in charge of conflict squad A in years ago Military Commandos units, this just took over the traditions of the celebrated “Miotła” – 1 of the selected National Army battalions from the “Radosław” Group. During the occupation, the broomists were engaged in sabotage and diversion. They besides liquidated Polish traitors and confiscations. They were like a broom cleaning streets and alleys of Warsaw. For us, the choice seemed obvious. The another JWK conflict teams have already taken over the traditions of the “Zośka” and “Parasol” battalions, and we... well, we were inactive a small stuck in the times of the PRL. The prototype of the unit is the 26th Reconnaissance Battalion, which was created in the 1960s. We needed an image change – says Brig. Gen. Białas. During this time, there were inactive respective veterans of “Miotła”. We decided to meet them to see if we could find a common language. We met, it surprised. The memory smiles. In 2014, Combat squad A yet became a continuationr of the legacy of broomsticks.
Since then, contacts with veterans have become regular. squad soldiers meet with them on the occasion of Christmas, Easter, another anniversary of the detonation Warsaw Uprising, and sometimes just, just like that – no occasion. There were dozens of stories and anecdotes born of it. We erstwhile invited veterans to an Easter meeting, but besides Americans with whom we were practicing. After the authoritative part, loose conversations began. And suddenly, Mrs. “Sławka” means Halina Jędrzejewska, fluent English began to talk about her experiences from the uprising. She told, and a group of Americans gathered around her kept growing,” said Brig. Gen. Białas.
After specified meetings, there are not only colorful memories. – Even before taking over the tradition of the battalion, we analysed how the broom was operating – how they selected targets, conducted reconnaissance, coordinated actions, how they provided themselves with medical support. That's erstwhile we realized we had a lot in common. Then we only established ourselves in this – concludes Brig. Gen. Białas.
Lubusian armadillos regularly meet with Breda residents who remember General Maczek's soldiers. photograph by Krzysztof Gonera/11 DKPanc
Past with the key
Similarly, the legacy National Army They see soldiers of territorial defence troops. As we read on the territorials website, the 2 formations share respective decades, but combine the mission, structure and way of organizing. "Like the National Army, we are profoundly embedded in local communities from which our soldiers originate. any forms of tactical action are besides related, which, despite the passing of time, stay unchanged," the authors of the entry state. The WOT Command so took over the traditions of the Home Command of the AK, and many brigades for patrons took over conspiracy subdivisions. – For us it is inactive a surviving communicative – admits Lieutenant Marlena Rosłaniec from the 6th Mazovia Territorial Defence Brigade. – In August we had constant contact with 25 participants of the Warsaw Uprising. We effort to be close to them, aid them in everyday activities and support them in handling many things, but we besides perceive to their stories, especially those recorded only in their hearts," he adds. But the benefit, he assures, is mutual. – I have a large value for the bonds that we have managed to make with the insurgents. all handshake, all photograph of each other, all memory heard is simply a gift that cannot be overestimated. It is thanks to them that we have the strength to follow the values that survived the test of past in our regular service – he convinces.
In a akin tone, the subjects from the Military Centre for Medical Education in Łódź speak. For more than 2 years, they have been taking care of Lieutenant Józef Skreneck, a erstwhile soldier of the 4th Armoured Regiment "Scorpion", who fought on the Italian Front during planet War II. A fewer weeks ago, the veteran turned 100. Why did the students decide to take care of him? Konrad Chupka begins with large words – he talks about the lesson of patriotism and the anticipation to pay tribute to the generation that fought for Poland. But he immediately adds: – Contact with Mr.Joseph teaches us a sense of feeling in relations with older people, and this is especially crucial for us, future doctors-officials. He is yet an example of a brotherhood in uniform...
Territorials visit Warsaw insurgent Ireneusz Waniak. Fig. 61 Light Infantry Battalion
This fraternity can endure not only generational differences, but besides barriers created by politics and history. The proof of that is 11 Lubuska Division of Armored CavalryThat someway brought together 2 worlds. On the 1 hand, she is the heiress of the 1st Dresden Armored Corps of the Polish Army, which entered Germany in 1945 alongside the Red Army. On the another hand, they inherit traditions of the 1st Polish Armoured Division General Stanisława Maczka, fighting alongside the Allies in Western Europe. “In September 1991 we hosted veterans of both of these formations for the first time in history”, recalls Wiesław Boyk, curator of the tradition hall in the Lubuskie division. The passing of time made specified a gathering unrepeated today. However, Lubusian armadillos stay in constant contact with the children and grandchildren of the machos. They meet with them in Poland, Netherlands, Belgium. They besides keep contact with the last surviving soldier of the Dresden Corps – Colonel Eugeniusz Praczuki. The 98-year-old took part in the September divisional celebration.
– In the past, there is simply a key to knowing who we truly are. But in order to full realize it, we request testimonies, tangible examples – emphasizes General Piotr Fajkowski, commander of 11 DKPanc. He adds: – erstwhile we perceive to the stories of the granddaughter of General Karolina Maczek-Skillen and Colonel Praczuk, we draw a image of people from blood and bones – a bit like us. And abruptly we realize that we are 1 division...
Insurgent Polonaise
In stories about the supergenerational bond, the word “family” frequently falls. And even if it does not mean blood ties, as in the case of Lieutenant Trzebinska-Gawin and Major Zwolański, it has its power. “I will never forget the words “Tomama” (Jakub Nowakowski “Tomash”, a soldier of the “Zośka” Battalion, who greeted me at his wife’s funeral, said: “I knew you would come. I knew that my children would come to me" – said Colonel Paweł Wronka, a JWK soldier from Lublin. The veterans as a household were besides talked about by soldiers and another unit commanders. specified examples could be multiplied.
Polish veterans at the time of a charming table on a cmenta roze in Breda. photograph by Krzysztof Gonera/11 DKPanc
Contacts with veterans are not limited to Christmas meetings and celebrations. frequently they even go beyond assisting in everyday affairs and visiting nursing homes or housing, as WOT soldiers do. “In August we were invited to a housewarming organization with 1 of the insurgents,” says Lieutenant Marlena Rosłaniec. The old man spent his full life dreaming of his own house. He yet built it for himself. He bravely supported the construction team, doing any of the work himself. He is 94 years old – admits Lieutenant Rosłaniec.
Thomas Sawicki, who for 15 years has been directing the “Pack for a Hero” association, besides talks about the untapped energy of the combatants. So far, volunteers working for him have delivered over 60,000 Christmas packages to older people. The association besides organizes vacation trips for veterans. – Last time on vacation we had 27 Warsaw insurgents. 5 of them turned 100. I will never forget how 102-year-old Jakub Nowakowski danced polonaza. This is where fresh energy enters these people. Sometimes I gag that even if they come here with walkers, they'll put them away. And erstwhile a 100-year-old boy asks if there will be a journey like this next year, I know that I gotta organize it, no substance what happens – says Mr. Sawicki.
But time is inexorable. Veterans go 1 by one. “We want them to be left with as much as possible,” says Lt Rosłaniec. That's where the book thought comes from. Soldiers of the 61st Light Infantry Battalion visited the heroes and listened to their stories. The publication contained photographs of these meetings, as well as individual memories of the day of the uprising, later fights and time after its collapse. – The book has a peculiar dimension – its first edition was created in only 2 copies. It was in them that the insurgents made handwritten entries, directing the words of support, reflection and gratitude to soldiers. Upon completion of the work, the book will be reproduced and handed over to soldiers, as well as to insurgents and their families," the officer notes. There are plenty of AK publications, but each of the participants has a private history. And that is the most precious prospect.
– Paradoxically, we are slow reaching the border, for which cognition of past generations will again be derived only from books – noted Brig. Gen. Białas. This does not mean, however, that surviving among us will run out of patterns. – We have veterans of the mission, very well-deserved for the country, who carry large baggage of experience. It's truly worth remembering – concludes Brig. Gen. Białas.
Tradition can become a trap made of patos, rustling paper. Therefore, turning to the past is worth seeing average people in it. Getting to know their individual stories, due to the fact that you can get something for yourself from anyone. And build on.