22.08.2022
Paying tribute to Canadian soldiers and commemorating officers and sailors of ORP Ślązak
80 years after the Dieppe Raid, the town of Dieppe in the Canadian province of New Brunswick saw the IPN-inspired and executed commemoration of the participants of the 1942 operation.
Most of the ground forces – and the bulk of the casualties in the amphibious attack on the port in occupied France – were Canadians. They were supported by RAF aircraft and a naval force that included the ORP Ślązak destroyer. It is the Polish vessel that distinguished itself most in the confrontation with the Luftwaffe and in rescuing the troops trapped on the beach following the failed landing.
The IPN Deputy President, Prof. Karol Polejowski traveled to New Brunswick with the Director of the Institute's Office of International Cooperation Agnieszka Jędrzak and Director of the Office for Commemorating the Struggle and Martyrdom Adam Siwek to unveil a commemorative plaque in honor of the crew of ORP Ślązak, and to discuss cooperation on Polish-Canadian commemorative and educational projects.
Accompanied by Polish Ambassador Witold Dzielski and representatives of the Polish Navy, the IPN Deputy President first tributed the bravery of Canadian servicemen by laying flowers at their memorial at the Dieppe Cenotaph, Veterans Place, and later unveiled a plaque commemorating officers and sailors of ORP Ślązak.
Karol Polejowski said:
Poles have been forced to fight for the freedom of their homeland numerous times throughout history. On more than one occasion, they left foreign soil to fight in the hope of reaching and resurrecting their enslaved country. One of such places was Italy, which has been immortalised in the Polish national anthem. However, we will never forget that thousands of volunteers also set out from Canada to join the victorious fight for Poland's independence. A training camp where troops were formed for the Polish Army in France – the Blue Army – was established on hospitable Canadian soil in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
"The extraordinary bravery and sacrifice of the Canadian soldiers on the beaches of Dieppe on 19 August 1942 has become a legend. Today, we are very honored to unveil a memorial of Polish sailors, who proved that brotherhood in arms and loyalty to an ally are paramount values for Poles, here, on Canadian soil"
The IPN "Trails of Hope. The Odyssey of Fredom" exhibition is to be presented in Mississauga on 22 August 2022. Part of this exhibition is dedicated to Canada, as Polish soldiers stood side by side with Canadian soldiers on many battlefields. Their paths crossed during the fights in Italy, especially during the breakthrough of the Gustav Line. The Polish 1st Armoured Division, which was part of the 2nd Canadian Corps, followed the battle route from Normandy to Germany. Today also marks the 78th anniversary of the turning point in the Battle of Falaise, when Polish troops surrounded on the hill of Mont Ormel were rescued by the 4th Canadian Infantry Division. The Poles spoke highly of the courage, bravery and resilience of the Allies.
Interviewed after the ceremony, Karol Polejowski presented the IPN's key projects, notably the "Trails of Hope. The Odyssey of Freedom" initiative, and Polish-Canadian cooperation in the field of history. These two topics are intertwined: the kind assistance of Jan Skóra, Poland’s Honorary Consul in Halifax will allow bringing the "Trails of Hope" exhibits to Nova Scotia, while Ambassador Dzielski declared full cooperation on commemorating General Józef Haller. On the IPN side, the Office of International Cooperation will be responsible for coordinating the projects.
