Today, during an historic ceremony at Wilanów Palace in Warsaw,
UK Defence Minister , Polish Deputy Prime Minister
and Minister of Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz paid tribute to
the extraordinary courage displayed by Polish paratroopers during
one of the most famous allied operations of the Second World War.
The event is the first formal standalone commemoration to mark
the heroism of the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade,
during Operation Market Garden in 1944 - the allied operation
which aimed to hasten the end of the Second World War by opening
up new routes for advancing troops into Germany.
The event symbolised the enduring bond between British and Polish
forces forged during the darkest days of the Second World War.
During the ceremony and Deputy Prime Minister
Kosiniak-Kamysz inspected troops and received a salute, before
giving speeches focussed on the shared values and sacrifices that
have bound the two nations together.
Speaking from Wilanów Palace, Defence Minister said:
At a time when Britain and Poland's Armed Forces are once again
working together to protect Europe's security and deter those who
threaten peace, the generation of heroes from both countries who
fought side-by-side during the Second World War remain an
enduring source of pride and inspiration.
Today, we acknowledge the extraordinary contribution of the 1st
Polish Independent Parachute Brigade which Major General
Sosabowski created and led into battle.
During the events of 1944, Allied forces aimed to seize a series
of crucial bridges in the Netherlands through a combination of
airborne attack and ground advances, often regarded as one the of
most daring and ambitious operations of the entire war.
Major General Ollie Kingsbury, Colonel Commandant of The
Parachute Regiment, presented a banner to Brigadier General
Michał Strzelecki, Commander 6th Polish Airborne Brigade –
the proud descendants of the 1st Polish Independent Parachute
Brigade – signifying the enduring and historic bond between our
armed forces. Members of The Parachute Regiment, British Army and
the Polish 6th Airborne Brigade also formed a guard of honour
during the ceremony.
Polish Deputy Prime Minister, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz,
said:
General Stanisław Sosabowski and his soldiers, fighting
side-by-side with British paratroopers, laid the foundation for
today's cooperation, also military, as well as for strong ties
between our nations. On my own behalf and on behalf of the
soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces, I thank you for honouring
our heroes. It constitutes an important gesture, which
demonstrates our unity and shared values that have connected us
for over 80 years.
The event comes at a time of unprecedented cooperation between
the UK and Poland on defence and security matters. Announced by
the Prime Minister in January, the two nations are set to sign a
new security and defence treaty later this year, building on
strong bilateral ties which have seen over 20 British operational
deployments to Poland since February 2022.
Both countries remain steadfast allies in supporting Ukraine
against Russian aggression and are working together to strengthen
NATO's eastern flank.
Lord Coaker's visit also follows the publication of the UK's
Strategic Defence Review, which underscores Britain's commitment
to European security.
The review sets out the UK's vision to move to warfighting
readiness, create a more lethal integrated military force, and
strengthen UK leadership in NATO. Additionally, it will put
service personnel at the heart of our defence plans by renewing
the nation's contract with those who serve and having a whole of
society approach to our national resilience.
