The Polish Heritage Society

 A Debt of Dishonour —Manchester Cornerhouse Cinema Premiere

A special screening of Arnhem - A Debt of Dishonour (2012) produced by Dr Marek Stella-Sawicki MBE, with support of the Polish Heritage Society UK,  was held at an evening event on 4 March, 2013 at the Cornerhouse Cinema in Manchester. The screening was opened  by the Consul General of the Republic of Poland Mr. Lukasz Lutostanski in front of an invited audience.

Opening speech by the Consul General of the Republic of Poland Mr. Lukasz Lutostanski:

“Ladies and gentleman, it is quite impossible to name all of our special guests visiting this evening! However; I would like to thank for participating:

My Lord Lieutenant, Colonel Michael Russell, Colonel Kerry Trow, Major Edward Hardaker, Wing Commander David Forbes, Major Ian Blackwood, Major Roy Bevan, Mr. Trevor Warren, Mr. Alan Noble, British and Polish officers and soldiers, representants of ex-combatants associations, members of the Diplomatic Corps, all distinguish Guests, Ladies and Gentleman.

It is my pleasure and a great honour to welcome you on this very important night when we will celebrate the memory of major general Stanisław Sosabowski. First of all , I would like to introduce you to the chief executive of Life For a Life Memorial Forests Mr. Norman Armstrong-Kersh and Dr. Marek Stella-Sawicki, creator of the film Arnhem – Debt of Dishonour, who will present us a figure of General Sosabowski.

My Lord Lieutenant, Colonels, Majors, British and Polish officers and soldiers, representants of ex-combatants associations, members of the Diplomatic Corps, all distinguish Guests, Ladies and Gentleman!

We gathered tonight to celebrate the memories of General Stanisław Sosabowski . Modest and quiet, General Sosabowski have never complained, never tried to reach the glory, never spoke about his achievements. But in the same time, he created one of the most improved, modern types of fighting specials forces during World War II. Contemporary Polish special forces like GROM and others continue that outstanding military service during many operation (Iraq, Afghanistan). Today we also fight shoulder to shoulder with NATO Special Forces.

Consul General Mr. Lukasz LutostanskiThis is why today we are obligated to invite to open, but in the same time difficult, discussion about how we  can celebrate the memory of such a person like General Sosabowski. The film we are going to see today is another brave step to continue the conversation which already took place in Holland, to show people the story, which has very difficult political and historical aspects. I hope it is just the beginning and we won’t stop here. That historical discussion regarding “Operation Market Garden” is full of difficult questions, but I believe that without open talk we shall not move forward in this area.

That is one of the reasons why I would like to thank to Dr. Stella-Sawicki who put so much effort to create film Debt of Dishonour which shows us important piece of our history.

In the same time I would like to thank to all of you, who want to celebrate memory of General Sosabowski today. The special thanks should go to our distinguish British guests who wants to support polish initiative to commemorate General Sosabowski.

Thank you.”

Arnhem–A Debt of Dishonour

Letter of thanks from Oldham Parachute Regiment AssociationA Debt of Dishonour is dedicated Major General Sosabowski and all ranks who served in the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade Group and to their Comrades-in-Arms of the 1st British Airborne Division that fought in the ill-fated “Operation Market Garden” at Arnhem and Driel during September 1944.

A Debt of Dishonour offers a fresh insight into the role of Polish forces under General Sosabowski and his own leadership capabilites during “Operation Market Garden” using key-witness accounts by Britsh officers uniquley placed to be able judge the events as they unfolded. The film includes contributions by:

Brigade Major (Retd.) Tony Hibbert MBE, MC
 — Interview filmed on location in Cornwall, 3 April 2012.

Sir Brian Urquhart KCMG, MBE
— Reflections on Arnhem, 5-8 August 2012.

Major General (Retd.) John Drewienkiewicz CB, CMG, MA 
— Filmed on location at the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum
in London, 6 September, 2012.

To accompany  the film is an illustrated twelve-page booklet Major General Sosabowski “Polski Bohater - Polish Hero” by Colonel Mike Russell, Commander, Aldershot Garrison.

"...Sosabowski rose to his feet and spoke in English about the futility of what was being proposed. Dyrda recalls that his General said: ‘For 8 days and nights not only Polish soldiers but the best sons of England are dying there in vain, for no effect'. There was an uncomfortable silence; again, not a word from Browning. Eventually, Horrocks said: 'This conference is over. The orders given by General Thomas are to be carried out.'..."

The Polski Bohater - Polish Hero booklet is availble for downlaod using the link below:

 Polski Bohater-Polish Hero (278.23 kB)