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Introducing
The Institute
of Polish
Military History
A message from our President, General Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank
'I am delighted to be associated with the work of the Polish Heritage Society and very honoured to serve as its President. The Society's work highlights the enormous contribution which generations of Poles have made to their adopted country. Preserving and celebrating that heritage will only further strengthen the ties between Poland and the United Kingdom.
I worked closely with the Society on the project to build a memorial to the Polish Forces at the National Memorial Arboretum and saw at first hand the energy and dedication of those involved.
I encourage you to explore this website and learn about the many other projects the Society has sponsored. Do please contact us if you would like to be involved in any way'.
General The Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank GCB LVO OBE
A Debt of Dishonour is a unique documentary film 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.
Sto Lat-Albert Hall
The Polish Heritage Society
London conference to examine role of Polish generals in allied effort during World War II
The role of senior Polish military commanders in the Allied effort during World War II will be examined in depth at a conference in London on June 20-21, organised jointly by the British Commission for Military History and the Polish Heritage Society (UK).
Norman Davies, UNESCO Professor at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, is the keynote speaker at the event, which is supported by the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum and the Embassy of the Republic of Poland.
The conference will specifically consider the contributions of three Polish generals and the 303 Polish Squadron, which was the most successful Allied air force unit at shooting down enemy aircraft during the Battle of Britain. The generals to be discussed are:
• Lieut.Gen. Wladyslaw Anders, who commanded the 2nd Polish Corps in the battle for Monte Cassino during the Italian campaign;
• Lieut.Gen. Stanislaw Maczek who commanded the Polish 1st Armoured Division in the Netherlands and Northern Germany; and
• Maj.Gen. Stanislaw Sosabowski who commanded the Polish Parachute Brigade during Operation Market Garden, the attempt to achieve the crossing of the river Rhine at Arnhem.
The conference will be held at the Royal College of Defence Studies in London. In addition to Norman Davies, other speakers include Peter Devitt, Assistant Curator at the RAF Museum Hendon; Paul Latawski from BCMH; and George Cholewczynski, the biographer of Gen. Sosabowski. It will conclude with an open forum chaired by Maj.Gen. Mungo Melvin, President of BCMH.
“The role these generals played in the Allied war effort is yet to be fully appreciated. This conference will be an important step towards recognising their contribution.” said PHS Chairman Dr Marek Stella-Sawicki.
Event Details
| Conference Venue: | Royal College of Defence Studies, Seaford House, 37 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8NS. |
| Conference Date: | 20-21st June, 2014. |
| Conference Cost: | £75 for 2 days inclusive of lunch and refreshments, or alternatively £40 fee for Day 1 only (1/2 day conference) or £50 for Day 2 (full day). |
On the evening of Day 1 the Polish Embassy will host a reception and buffet supper for conference attendees.
To book your place at this event, please send a cheque made out to “Polish Heritage Society” with your name, title, address, email and telephone number to:
PHS Treasurer, 23 Chipstead St, London, SW6 3SR.
BCMH members are to apply via the BCMH website.
Download Polish Military Leaders in WII Conference Programme (2.21 MB)