The Monte Cassino Mass

All images courtesy of Joanna Jeziorowska

3 days ago on 18th May 2011, Toruń's Historical War Museum (http://www.muzeumhw.pl/) organised a patriotic holy mass to mark the 67th anniversary of the end of the Battle of Monte Cassino. Piotr Olecki the founder of the museum gave his reasons for organising the poignant event. "We noticed that every year more and more citizens have begun to forget about the many important events from Polish history", he remarked.

Veterans from the battle together with representatives from the World Association of Home Army and Toruń's Deputy Commander Garrison descended on the military church for a special mass. It was followed by an informal meeting at nearby school number 11. There soldiers sang old songs, veterans shared their war memories with high school students and an old gramophone played the tune "The Red Poppies on Monte Cassino" - one of the best known Polish military songs of World War II.

It was on 18th May 1944 that the Polish II Corps took Hill 593, a strategic defense point during the infamous Battle of Monte Cassino. The Poles had unusual help in the form of an Iranian bear called Wojtek. Raised by the Polish soldiers he helped to carry artillery shells during the battle.

Here is a link to a Youtube slideshow of some images from Monte Cassino:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxCZ7MFrou8&feature=player_detailpage

Many thanks to Piotr Olecki for organising this memorable event and for the photographs that he kindly sent in to TORUŃ DAILY PHOTO. The images were taken by Joanna Jeziorowska, a high school student.

US Army in Toruń by Patrick Skipton

I was in an outdoor beer garden at the weekend enjoying a lovely plate of cheesy chips in the company of fellow expatriate Patrick Skipton...when we noticed this squad of US soldiers mingling with Polish troops. Was it a top secret mission (albeit in a pub?!!). No, it turns out that the troops were off duty and meeting up for a sightseeing tour of Toruń. But what were US troops doing in Toruń in the first place? I wouldn't be surprised if the US begin to station permament troops here in Poland very soon. Especially with the USA's somewhat controversial decision (in the eyes of Russia) to use Poland as a potential missile site.

No time asking questions, Patrick grabbed a camera and started snapping away!

If anyone is clued up with US Army insignia...please zoom in and let Toruń Daily Photo know what ranks they are. I reckon some of them must have been pretty high ranking soldiers.