78 years ago today, on 18 July 1944, General Anders’ soldiers captured the important Adriatic port of Ancona, cutting off German supply lines and improving the Allies’ own. It was the only independent operation of this formation during the Italian Campaign. The battle was another, after Monte Cassino, example of the effectiveness and bravery of Polish troops.
Yesterday's anniversary event in Loreto brought together Polish II Corps veterans, members of Polish and Italian armed forces, and local authorities. Anna Maria Anders, Poland's ambassador to Italy, was there, as were Deputy President Karol Polejowski, representing the IPN, and Jan Kasprzyk of of the Office for War Veterans and Victims of Oppression.
Today in Ancona, commemorative celebrations were held in the city liberated by Polish soldiers 78 years ago. During the ceremony in Ancona, attended, among others, by Polish WW2 veterans, a monument dedicated to the soldiers of the Carpathian Lancers Regiment, a reconnaissance unit of the II Polish Corps, which captured Ancona on 18 July 1944, was unveiled. 78 years ago, the Carpathian Lancers entered the city through St. Stephen's Gate, the place of today's celebration. Just like in Loreto the day before, the event was attended by Anna Maria Anders, the IPN Deputy President Karol Polejowski, Jan Kasprzyk and local authorities.
In connection with the 80th anniversary of the beginning of the journey of General Anders's army evacuated from the USSR, the IPN prepared an international educational-memorative project entitled “Trails of Hope. The Odyssey of Freedom”, which aims to commemorate the military effort of the Polish Armed Forces during WW2 and the fate of civilians evacuated from the USSR with the Anders Army. The project is planned for the years 2022-2025, will cover more than 50 countries, and is an example of memory policy aimed at a difficult, demanding audience who knows little or nothing about Polish history.
Visit the project website