A focal point for commemorating the fallen is the well-known Polish World War II Cemetery at Monte Cassino. These hallowed grounds are currently in good condition. Entrance to the Cemetery is free to the public and the gates are open daily from 9am to 11:45 and 14:00 to 16:45 between 1st of October and 15th of May. Afternoon hours for the rest of the year start and end one hour later. Many visitors from around the world pay their respects to the fallen. The new Polish 2nd Corps Memorial Museum at the entrance is proving to be a strong drawcard and is rated world class by attendees.

But what about the other Polish Monte Cassino monuments?

Sadly, there is widespread unawareness that other Polish Monte Cassino monuments even exist! Access to three of them, the Obelisk, the Skorpion Tank and the Cross monuments, are through a gate situated adjacent to the Polish War Cemetery. “Closed” is the default position of this gate. At the access point there are signs stating that this area is private property, warning against trespass. These magnificent monuments that were built to honour the Poles who fought and died at Monte Cassino are not being honoured, not because people don’t want to bother any more, it is because knowledge of them has dissolved from living memory. Long term neglect has consequences. The 11 metre Obelisk proudly unveiled in 1945 at the summit of Cavalry Mountain (Hill 593 or Point 593) now stands a sad and embarrassed hieroglyph for futility; a secluded headstone amongst weeds and crumbling surrounds; unsung, unmourned, unsaluted and unknown.

Poles lost a lot in World War II; countless lives, property and national independence. But why should Polish heroism be lost from memory? Why should young people of Polish heritage be robbed of Polish heroes as role models. The situation is redeemable. If more people become aware of the existence of and the restricted access to these monuments, then not only will the force of numbers become greater but a wider pool of wisdom will be available to formulate strategies to get the monuments renovated, reopened and celebrated.

The Polish War Cemetery at Monte Cassino

Work on the construction of the cemetery began in 1944, shortly after the end of hostilities, and was finished in 1946. The official consecration, however, took place on 1 September 1945 during a multi-faith celebration conducted according to the rites of the Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant and Jewish faiths, and was attended by representatives of the Polish Government-in-Exile and of Allied Command.

Located on a flat area of what was then known as "Death Valley", between the monastery and Hill 593, the Polish war cemetery is the final resting place of 1,072 Polish soldiers who died during the Battle of Monte Cassino. Chaplain General Józef Gawlina, participant in the Monte Cassino assault, was buried here on 8 April 1965, and the ashes of Gen. W³adys³aw Anders, Commander of the 2nd Polish Corps, were brought from London, where he had lived in exile, and were interred here on 18 May 1970; the ashes of the General's wife, Renata Anders, were also laid to rest here on 21 May 2011.

Designed by architects Wac³aw Hryniewicz and Jerzy Skolimowski, the cemetery was built by soldiers of the 2nd Polish Corps, with the aid of Italian monumental masons, under the supervision of Tadeusz Muszyñski. The sculptures are the work of architect and sculptor, Micha³ Paszyn, and include: the eternal flame torch, the bronze eagles on the upper altar, the laurel wreath and the White Eagle bas-relief overlooking the cemetery. An Italian – Professor Cambelotti – is the author of the two hussar eagles, symbols of the two arms of the 2nd Corps, mounted on pediments at the gate to the cemetery.

In order to construct the cemetery, the ground – pock-marked by bomb craters – had to be levelled and 20,000 cubic metres of earth physically moved. Retaining walls, some of which reached as much as 5 metres in height, had to be constructed, and some 12,000 rocks were excavated and dressed.

Restoration work to the cemetery was carried out for the first time in 1962 on the initiative of the Polish émigré community.

Today, the cemetery is under the care of the Council for the Protection of Memorial Sites of Struggle and Martyrdom (Rada Ochrony Pamiêci Walk i Mêczeñstwa).

Memorials at the Monte Cassino cemetery

The Memorial to the 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division atop Hill 593 (Monte Calvario) was unveiled on 18 July 1945. The commemorative tablet names the 1,115 soldiers of the 3rd Division who fell in the heaviest and fiercest battles of the Adriatic Campaign. Under the obelisk is an urn containing the ashes of the Division's Commander, Gen. Boles³aw Bronis³aw Duch (1896-1980). The words of the inscription on the monument, penned by the soldier-poet, Boles³aw Kobczyñski, are perhaps the best known motto of Polish soldiers:

"FOR OUR FREEDOM AND YOURS WE, POLISH SOLDIERS, HAVE GIVEN TO GOD OUR SOULS, OUR BODIES TO THE ITALIAN EARTH AND OUR HEARTS TO POLAND".

The monument, designed by Capt. Tadeusz Zandfos, was erected by the men of the 2nd Corps on very difficult terrain. Constructed in limestone, travertine and white marble it can be seen from afar thanks to its 11-metre obelisk, topped with a cross, and with bronze eagles and divisional insignia below.

The Memorial to the 4th "Skorpion" Armoured Regiment stands at the exit of the Gorge, on the old road leading from Massa Albaneta to the valley of the River Rapido. The memorial which was unveiled on 18 May 1946 is built from remnants of a Sherman tank commanded by Lt. Ludomir Bia³ecki. He and his crew were killed at this spot on 12 May 1944 when a mine exploded. The memorial was designed by Lt. W³adys³aw Ku¼niarz, artist and sculptor.

According to the inscription on the front plaque, the memorial is dedicated to the "HEROES OF THE 4TH ARMOURED REGIMENT WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES MARCHING TO POLAND".

A cross made from tank caterpillar tracks was mounted on the body of the wreckage, supported by two bronze plaques and two bronze scorpions – regimental symbols which, sadly, were stolen in the 1970s. The rear plaque bears the inscription:

"IT WAS HERE THAT, ON 12 MAY 1944, THE FIRST SOLDIERS OF THE ARMOURED FORCES NEWLY FORMED IN THE EAST, FELL IN BATTLE.
2LT. BIA£ECKI, LUDOMIR
CPL. AMBRO¯EJ, EDWARD
CPL. BOGDAJEWICZ, EUGENIUSZ
CPL. KARCEWICZ, BOLES£AW
CPL. NIECKOWSKI, JÓZEF"

The Memorial to the 5th Kresowa Infantry Division was erected on Hill 575 in June 1944, just two weeks after the end of hostilities, to honour the memory of the Division's 503 dead and 1,531 wounded. The consecration ceremony took place on 18 May 1945. The location was chosen because of its visibility both from Monastery Hill and the valley of the River Liri. Hill 575 had also been the final goal of the assault by the Division's troops during the battle for the Gustav Line.

The memorial, mounted on a stone pedestal, is in the shape of a cross constructed from the steel framework of a Bayley bridge. It was designed by two engineers: Królikowski and Urbanowicz. At the base of the memorial there are two plaques with inscriptions in Polish and Latin:

"IN THIS PLACE, THE SOLDIERS OF THE 5TH KRESOWA INFANTRY DIVISION, FORCEFULLY TORN FROM THEIR FATHERLAND, THEIR MARCH BACK TO POLAND LEADING THEM THROUGH PRISONS, CAMPS, THE SIBERIAN TUNDRA, ACROSS DESERTS AND SEAS, FOUGHT A 7-DAY BATTLE. 503 WERE KILLED, 1,531 WERE WOUNDED".

And the second plaque:

"IN THE NAME OF THE LAWS OF GOD AND OF MAN, FOR YOUR FREEDOM AND OURS, FULFILLING THE TESTAMENT LEFT BY THEIR FOREFATHERS, CARRYING OUT THEIR DUTIES TO THE LIVING, AS A SIGNPOST FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS, FOR WILNO AND FOR LWÓW, SYMBOLS OF THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND, THEY FOUGHT – DIED – AND WERE VICTORIOUS".

The monument was crowned with the coat of arms of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, with three fields bearing images of the Polish White Eagle, the Lithuanian Vytis and Archangel Michael, and also the arms of the cities of Wilno and of Lwów. All three coats of arms were later stolen at some stage. After his death in 1992, the ashes of Gen. Klemens Stanis³aw Rudnicki (1897 – 1992), deputy commander of the 5th Division were scattered at the foot of the monument.

Monument in Acquafondata. This monument was erected to a design by the architect Pietro Rogacien, son of a soldier of the 2nd Corps, and its ceremonious unveiling took place on 18 May 1996. The monument celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of the transfer of the bodies of the first Polish casualties of the nearby front from their temporary resting place in Acquafondata to the newly built cemetery in Monte Cassino.

A cross made from the caterpillar tracks of a wrecked tank stood at the entrance to the cemetery in Acquafondata, with a bronze figure of Christ on the cross. Thanks to the initiative of Romano Neri, a native of the town, and the cooperation of the Polish Hearth Club in Turin, the cross was moved and placed on a pediment of white marble in a suitable place in the town. The dual-language memorial plaque commemorates the dead and their place of rest.

The Monument to the 6th 'Dzieci Lwowskich' Armoured Regiment in Piedimonte San Germano was erected thanks to the efforts of the 'Dzieci Lwowskich' [Children of Lwów] Regimental Club. A memorial plaque containing the names of 40 members of the regiment who had been killed was mounted on the monument, which was unveiled and consecrated on 19 August 1973. The plaque bears the inscription:

"FOR YOUR FREEDOM AND OURS, ON 26 MAY 1944, AFTER A FEROCIOUS FIVE DAY BATTLE, THE 6TH 'DZIECI LWOWSKICH' ARMOURED REGIMENT, ON ITS MARCH TO A DISTANT POLAND AND ALWAYS TRUE TO THE CITY OF ITS FOREFATHERS, CAPTURED THE HEIGHTS AND THE TOWN OF PIEDIMONTE SAN GERMANO.

PILGRIM FROM THE FATHERLAND, AS YOU STOP HERE FOR A MOMENT, TURN YOUR EYES UP TO GOD AND LET A SIGH EXPRESS YOUR PRAYER FOR THE SOULS OF YOUR BROTHERS WHO SACRIFICED THEIR YOUNG LIVES FOR THEIR FATHERLAND. LET FUTURE GENERATIONS KNOW THAT THE FREEDOM OF THE NATION IS NOT JUST A RIGHT AND THE GLORY OF THE LIVING! FREEDOM, ABOVE ALL, IS THE TRIUMPH OF THE FALLEN!"

Text about the Monte Cassino Polish War Cemetery and the Monte Cassino Memorials copied from Polish war cemeteries in Italy website: www.polskiecmentarzewewloszech.eu/en/

2nd Polish Corps Memorial Museum at the Polish War Cemetery in Monte Cassino (Opened: 17 May 2014 as a part of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Monte Cassino)

The Museum, situated at the entrance of the Polish War Cemetery, was established by “The Association of Poles in Italy” on the inspiration of Mieczyslaw Rasiej and in cooperation with the Polish Embassy in Rome. The rotunda shaped building is constructed of local stone; it was designed by Pietro Rogacieñ - the son of a Polish soldier of the 2nd Polish Corps who fought in the battle of Monte Cassino.

The 2nd Polish Corps Memorial commemorates the contribution of Polish soldiers in the liberation of Italy and the fight for freedom during WW2. Ten permanently displayed thematic panels depict the history of the 2nd Polish Corps: the deportation of thousands of Poles to Siberia, the formation of General Anders’ army and its odyssey through the Middle East to Italy. The permanent exhibition is the work of design studio “K³aput Project”. Interactivity and multi media centres covering such topics as the ‘Story of Wojtek the Bear and his induction into Anders Army make this a world class museum.

Prominently placed in the rotunda is a 350 kg cast iron medallion, 2 meters in diameter, which traces on a map the entire trek of the Polish 2nd Corps. The ‘map medallion’ was designed by Professor Antoni Grabowski.

Gate closed!

The authentic material on display, sourced from the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum in London and other historical institutions around the world, is organised under the editorship of Professor Krystyna Jaworska and Dr. Paolo Morawski. Over 120 photographs and historical map originals as well as many film documentaries create a superb atmosphere of solemnity.

Monte Cassino Helpers

Fundacja Andrzej Marzec “MONTE CASSINO”. (Monte Cassino Foundation) montecassino.org.pl/index.php

Cele:
• Podtrzymywanie tradycji narodowej i pielêgnowanie polsko¶ci oraz ¶wiadomo¶ci narodowej, obywatelskiej i kulturowej.
• Kultywowanie pamiêci o bitwie pod Monte Cassino.
• Popularyzacja w¶ród m³odzie¿y szkolnej wysi³ku zbrojnego polskiego ¿o³nierza w II wojnie ¶wiatowej na ziemi w³oskiej, a szczególnie w bitwie pod Monte Cassino.
• Gromadzenie oraz udostêpnianie (np.poprzez wystawy) pami±tek zwi±zanych z bitw± pod Monte Cassino.
• Opieka nad cmentarzem polskim Monte Cassino.
• Gromadzenie danych (biografie) o weteranach na obczy¿nie oraz ich potomkach.

Aims
• Upholding tradition and cultivating national and national consciousness, civic and cultural identity.
• Honouring the memory of the battle of Monte Cassino.
• Popularization effort among school children armed Polish soldier in World War II on Italian soil, especially in the battle of Monte Cassino.
• Collect and make available (eg via exhibitions) memorabilia connected with the battle of Monte Cassino.
• Care for Polish cemetery of Monte Cassino.
• Data collection (biographies) of veterans in exile and their descendants.

Polish Association in Italy

polonia-wloska.org/category/muzeum-pamieci-2-korpusu-polskiego/

To help fulfil its broader aim of keeping alive knowledge, awareness and an understanding of Polish history and culture for people of Polish heritage In Italy and for the broader Italian and world community, the Association was instrumental, from concept to completion, in establishing the 2nd Polish Corps Memorial Museum at the Polish War Cemetery in Monte Cassino. It honours the contribution of Polish soldiers in the liberation of Italy during WWII. To popularise knowledge of the Museum

Furthermore, the Association, with the cooperation of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Rome, established and helps run the “Polish II World War Military Cemeteries in Italy” website.

Polish Second World War Military Cemeteries in Italy

www.polskiecmentarzewewloszech.eu/en/

Copies from the website:

This website is dedicated to four Polish war cemeteries in Italy: at Monte Cassino, in Bologna, Loreto and Casamassima. Grave database with search engine gives the opportunity for descendants and relatives of fallen soldiers to find their graves and get to know basic information (name, surname, grave location, date and place of birth and death etc.)

All data about the fallen soldiers was imported from databases provided by the Council for the Protection of the Remembrance of Combat and Martyrdom and from publications prepared by Fr. Adam Studziñski and Fr. Marian Burniak. In case of conflicts of data entries, information visible in inscriptions appearing on the gravestones was given a priority.

Descriptions of cemeteries and monuments are based on texts prepared by the Professor Krystyna Jaworska and Dr. Paolo Morawski, accompanied by publicly accessible open source information.

Acquafondata