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Polish Veterans of World War II, Post 33, 62 South Pierce Street, Buffalo, NY 14206

Monument Dedicated to the Polish Armed Forces in the Second World War
Located in the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park at the Buffalo Waterfront
by Janusz and Krystyna Nieduzak

   
Click on a thumbnail image to view the photo enlarged.

In order to comprehend the meaning, the stature and the significant value this monument represents, it is mandatory to raise the awareness of the public, if only briefly, about Poland's constant struggle for freedom and independence, as well as Poland's significant contributions to the Allied victory in the Second World War.

Poland, a nation imprisoned in the heart of Europe, with its indefensible borders, surrounded by hostile and aggressive neighbors, was forced to fight in many historic conflicts.

Over the centuries the nation was ravaged and devastated by wars and long periods of subjugation. Although Poles were doomed to live in the battlegrounds of Europe, the will to survive as a free nation, the freedom for which they have always so deeply yearned and their indomitable spirit has borne the Polish nation through centuries of oppression and partitioning.

After World War I, Poland regained its independence, but after barely twenty years, was pushed against overwhelming odds. In 1939 the Polish nation had to struggle against the most ruthless of all the invasions it had ever endured. Poland once again became a victim of its aggressive neighbors. Germany attacked Poland from the west and, at the same time, Russia invaded the eastern part of the country and that was the beginning of the Second World War.

The valor of the fighting forces of Poland has been extraordinary throughout the long history of the nation, in many wars and battles. All the same, this time as well Poland put up a heroic struggle against the enemy onslaught but after only a few weeks of superhuman resistance, was overpowered by the whole might of two better equipped aggressors. But it was not the end of Poland's part in this war, it was only the beginning.

After Poland fell to the Nazi and Soviet invaders, the Polish Government in Exile was established in London. Many Polish citizens managed to escape to the West, joining the Allied forces in the fight for your freedom and ours.

They fought in the Battle of Britain, in France, Norway-Narvik, and in North Africa-Tobruk. Then came the Italian Campaign which included the capturing of Monte Cassino by the Polish Second Corps under the command of General Wladyslaw Anders. The Second Corps was formed of those who were released from Russian gulags after Germany invaded Russia in 1941. This was followed by fighting in Normandy which included the 1st Polish Armored Division under the command of General Stanislaw Maczek as well as the Polish Independent Parachute Brigade under General Stanislaw Sosabowski's command in Operation Market Garden at Arnhem-Driel.

The Polish military participated in active combat on land, in the air and on all the seas of the world. The Polish flotilla, which managed to reach the friendly shores of Great Britain on the day the war broke out in 1939, fought side by side with the Royal Navy until the end of the war in Europe. Poles constituted the largest force of a fallen nation fighting beyond their country's borders. There were no soldiers who had a more impelling reason or greater incentive to destroy the enemy. While western Poland was terrorized by German oppression and Nazi concentration camps, eastern Poland was brutalized by the Soviets systematic destruction which included massive deportations of Poles to Siberia and the most ghastly massacre of 15,000 Polish prisoners of war. The indescribable suffering of the Polish people only fired their will to survive as a free nation. In Poland, it's citizens formed the largest and most efficient resistance movement in occupied Europe. The Polish Underground, known as the Home Army, 380,000 strong including men and women, harassed the enemy in the occupied territories, fought in inexorable battles and supplied a wide range of intelligence to the Allies. London was informed of enemy movements. Component parts of V-2 rockets were seized and flown to England ten weeks before the first rocket was released against London. Poland's leading mathematicians with an expertise in cryptanalysis, M. Rojeski and H. Zygalski, penetrated Enigma and managed to resolve some of the mathematical problems involved in deciphering its transmissions, thus supplying the Allies with the basis for its further development.

The most famous single action of defiance against the German aggressor was the Warsaw Uprising in August of 1944 (not to be confused with the Ghetto uprising) which lasted 63 days and nights, immobilizing 50,000 German troops. The unparalleled bravery and sacrifices of the people of Warsaw were overwhelmed by hunger and lack of supplies. Warsaw fell with estimated losses of over 200,000 military and civilian lives. The city was razed to the ground by the enemy and the leader of the uprising, General Bor Komorowski, became a prisoner of war together with his heroic Warsaw garrison.

These combined efforts significantly contributed to the victory of the Allies in the Second World War.

At war's end, as a consequence of the infamous Yalta agreement, Polish soldiers were deprived of the free country for which they fought alongside the Allies from the beginning to the very end. A communist regime was imposed on Poland, leaving the country under Soviet oppression. Disappointed and frustrated by the Allied betrayal in Yalta, Polish servicemen chose exile rather than Communism. They dispersed throughout the free world to make their homes anew. Wherever they settled, they formed veterans groups to uphold their comradeship and cultivate their culture. Buffalo, New York is home to many of them. Here they raised their families and became productive and loyal citizens to their adopted country, the United States of America.

In 1954, they established veterans Post 33, part of the Polish Combatants World Federation with headquarters in New York. They are known here as the Polish Veterans of World War II, SPK, or Stowarzyszenie Polskich Kombatantow.

They are active in community life, observing historic anniversaries, maintaining traditions and cultural activities, as well as, providing assistance to many worthy causes. Despite many accomplishments during the Post's long existence, veterans felt the need to leave a permanent record from their era for posterity.

Post Commander, Janusz Nieduzak, suggested the installment of a special monument dedicated to the Polish Armed Forces of World War II, which should stand in a prestigious place among other war memorials. As chairman of the Monument Committee not only was he instrumental in honoring the Polish military, but together with his wife, Krystyna Nieduzak, who also serves as the Post's treasurer, and Josef Poslinski, PE, spearheaded the efforts to erect the monument. It was a bold undertaking, but a difficult task to realize. They eagerly set to work. The first step was taking care of all the legal procedures. This required many trips to City Hall and much correspondence in order to obtain the Mayor's permission. Approval was also required by the City Council and the Art Commission of Buffalo. After obtaining these first essentials, the couple then focused on raising the necessary funds to cover the cost of the project, for no government funds were available. In order to spur the public and to stimulate the flow of donations, together with their extended family, they contributed a sizeable amount of their own money.

After the monument's design was decided upon, renowned designer-sculptor, Michael H. A. Gomez, agreed to work on the project.

Because of the reconstruction of the Buffalo Waterfront, where the monument was going to be located, the entire project was held back for a few years.

When the reconstruction came to an end, our long, strenuous efforts could also be finalized.

On June 28, 2003, SPK's long overdue dream had been realized. The symbolic 9' x 7' monument of jet black granite, honoring the Polish Armed Forces in World War II, was unveiled, dedicated and blessed by the Most Rev. Henry J. Mansell, Bishop of Buffalo. It is located among other war memorials in Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park on the Buffalo Waterfront. On the face of the monument the artist skillfully depicted battles scenes of all the military branches and directly under this is an etched dedication that summarizes it all:

This memorial is dedicated to the members of the Polish Armed Forces who gallantly participated in active combat on land, high seas and in the air. These brave men and women fought for your freedom and ours alongside the Allies on the Western Front, as well as in Poland as the underground Home Army and intelligence gathering network.

The unveiling ceremony was very moving and impressive and it was one of the finest moments in SPK's organizational life as well as the most important final accomplishment of the Post. On the occasion of the erection of the monument, Krystyna Nieduiak prepared and published a commemorative book which contained a synopsis of Poland's World War II history, supported collectively by many documentary pictures and their interpretations. These war facts are often passed over in silence and are concealed from the world, especially from school textbooks. It is of great importance that the monument itself acknowledges the Polish Armed Forces contributions in the Second World War. It will keep alive the scope of their accomplishments and will preserve a record of their deeds for posterity.

The monument's stirring inscription heralds to the world:

Passerby, tell the world that we were faithful from the beginning to the very end in the struggle for freedom, peace and justice for all mankind.

SPK Photos - Click here to view more photos in the veteran image gallery.

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