The ceremony was related to the celebration of the 82nd anniversary of the Battle of Monte Cassino. The central point of the event was the unveiling of a medallion with the image of the badge of the 12th Podolian Uhlan Regiment. The delegation from Poland was led by the head of the Office for Veterans and Victims of Oppression, Lech Parell.
Polish soldiers commemorated in Italy. “The fight for values never ends”
Before the main ceremony, the Polish delegation laid wreaths at the monuments commemorating the fights of the 2nd Polish Corps. The delegation laid wreaths in front of the monument “In Tribute to the Fallen Soldiers” and at the monument of the 6th Armored Regiment. Children of Lviv, unveiled in 1973.
During the ceremony, the head of the Office for Veterans and Victims of Oppression emphasized the need for constant care for fundamental values and referred to the contemporary geopolitical situation.
– Today we can enjoy full democracy and freedom, but there is a bloody war going on on our eastern border – he recalled. — All this teaches us that freedom is never won once and for all. All this shows us that we must constantly strive for freedom, democracy and values, he emphasized.
— The fight for values never ends and it is worth knowing this and always standing on the side of values, he added.
The mayor made a declaration. “We will guard”
The mayor of the town, Gioacchino Ferdinandi, referred to the dramatic events from over eight decades ago. — To fully understand the deep meaning of what we are doing today, we need to go back 82 years, we need to return to the dramatic May 1944. Piedimonte San Germano was then a rubble heap, a key point of the Gustav Line, destroyed by bombing and the fiercest fighting. On this land, young soldiers of the 12th Podolian Uhlan Regiment fought with enormous courage, shoulder to shoulder with other units of the 2nd Polish Corps under the command of General Władysław Anders – emphasized the Italian local government official.
Addressing the Polish guests directly, the mayor made a promise of lasting memory. — Dear Polish friends. Piedimonte San Germano will always be the home of your heroes, and consequently it will be your home. We will protect this emblem with the same respect and devotion with which we protect the memory of the family, Ferdinandi declared.
Fights of the 6th Armored Regiment for Piedimonte San Germano
On May 19, 1944, the commander of the 6th Armored Regiment, part of the 2nd Polish Corps, Lieutenant Colonel Henryk Świetlicki, received the order: “The 6th Armored Regiment within the military area of the “Bob” group will capture Piedimonte San Germano.” Despite heavy fighting for Monte Cassino, the regiment launched an attack on May 20, 1944, in exposed and mountainous terrain making visual communication difficult.
Tanks repeatedly entered the town and then retreated due to lack of adequate infantry and artillery support. Tanks burned, exploded on mines and fell from terraces fortified by the enemy into the abyss, often blocking the path of subsequent units.
After exhausting fighting and heavy losses, the Poles captured the fortified resistance center of Piedimonte San Germano on May 25, 1944. Only then was the road to Rome opened.
Many soldiers of the 6th Tank Regiment were killed or wounded in these battles. Among the wounded was the commander, Lieutenant Colonel Henryk Świetlicki, who lost a leg.
