Veterans and government delegations celebrate the Polish victory in the battle of Ancona

19/07/2024
History

Delegations from Poland and Italy commemorated the victorious parade of the Carpathian Lancers Regiment into the city 80 years ago at St Stephen’s Gate in Ancona. 80 years ago, on 18 July 1944, the 2nd Polish Corps, commanded by General Władysław Anders, liberated the port city of Ancona in Italy. The capture of Ancona which was an independent operation by the Polish army, contributed to shortening the Allied campaign against the Germans.

After the capture of the battle of Monte Cassino and the capture of Rome, the main objective of the so-called Italian campaign was to liberate the ports of Livorno and Ancona. In the first days of June, the 2nd Polish Corps, fighting alongside the Allies, was tasked with capturing the seaport of Ancona as quickly as possible. The Polish soldiers began their assault on 17 June 1944. They reached the Chienti River four days later and faced the first German defensive positions. The first attempt to cross the river failed. Further offensive action was taken on 30 June, when the Germans began their retreat.

At the beginning of July, the II Corps fought the battle of Loreto. From there, after regrouping its forces, it moved on to Ancona. The offensive began on 17 July. After artillery and air preparation, the 5th Border Infantry Division captured Monte della Crescia Hill and the 2nd Armoured Brigade captured Monte Torto. As a result of the fighting, the German defences were broken. The Polish soldiers captured key hills surrounding the city which practically determined the fate of the battle for Ancona.

The Polish Office for Veterans and Victims of Repression organised the anniversary commemoration. The celebration was attended by Ambassador Anna Maria Anders, veterans of the 2nd Polish Corps from Poland and around the world, among them – Capt. Władysław Dąbrowski, Capt. Krzysztof Flizak, Lt Józef Skrzynecki and Stanisław Guścin. The delegation also included representatives of the veterans‘ families, presidents of veterans’ organisations, representatives of NGOs cultivating the tradition of the armed deeds of General Anders’ army, representatives of parliament, members of the Anti-Communist Opposition Activists Council and members of the clergy of various denominations.

The ceremonies began at the 19th-century St Stephen’s Gate. It was through that gate the soldiers of the Carpathian Lancers Regiment victoriously entered the city on 18 July 1944.

Ambassador Anna Maria Anders, daughter of General Władysław Anders, told the British Poles:

“I am honoured to participate in the celebrations of the 80th Anniversary of the liberation of Ancona by the 2nd Polish Corps under my father’s command. I am proud, firstly as the daughter of General Anders, and secondly as the Polish ambassador to Italy. My mother, Gen Anders’s wife, used to visit all these commemoration events, but since she died in 2012 this duty was passed on to me. Italians are very friendly towards Poles and show gratitude for the participation of Polish troops in the liberation of their country. I am very thankful for preserving the memory of my father. They say that the Poles carried freedom for their country with courage. Today, I attended a celebration in Ancona with many local government representatives and veterans. Every year there are fewer and fewer of them and we feel obliged to honour the memory of their fallen colleagues together with them. On the Polish side, we have the support of the Office for Veterans Affairs with its president Lech Parell. I also want to thank the Polish Embassy in Rome and the Honorary Consulate in Ancona. The memory of our soldiers will never die, because we carry it in our hearts. I hope to see a representation of veterans and officials at next year’s 80th anniversary of the battle of Bologna.”