Photo By Sgt. Audrequez Evans | Commander of the Polish Armed Forces, Gen. Jaroslaw Mika (Left), Polish Ambassador to...... read more read more
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HOHENFELS, Germany - Allies and partners taking part in Combined Resolve XIII joined their Polish counterparts to recognize the liberation of Stalag 383 at a Polish monument rededication ceremony here on Jan. 27, 2020.
Stalag 383 housed 5,000 prisoners of war, (POW) half of which were of Polish descent.
On April 24, 1945, the 65th U.S. Infantry Division under the leadership of Maj. Gen. Stanley Reinhart came to Hohenfels and liberated them.
One year later, the Polish erected a stone in honor of the U.S. Soldiers who freed them.
From 1945 to 1949, displaced persons and former prisoners of war were housed in Hohenfels. During this time, former Polish prisoners erected three stone monuments and built a cemetery north of Unteroedenhart for the many displaced persons, mainly Polish, who died during a typhoid epidemic.
"Because of the passage of time, its history wasn't really as clear (as it was previously). What was behind it was really a powerful message," said Tomasz Szatkowski, the Polish Ambassador to NATO. "My great grandfather and my grandfather were fighters of the underground resistance in Poland. I remember how my Grandfather cherished the recollection of the U.S. Army liberators, and after spending two years with them, he re-joined his family in Poland.”
The original stone erected by the Polish became quite weathered and worn down with the passage of time. Consequently, upon revisiting the history, the Polish government and military officials decided it was time to rededicate this historic landmark.
After the unveiling of the monument, customary wreathes and flowers were laid at its foot in commemoration of the deceased.
Polish support and appreciation of our collective histories has not gone unnoticed.
"Your nation's gratitude was then, and is now very, very welcome. I hope you will agree that this monument marks not only an important event in history, but more importantly, it signifies a close, international bond, a strong alliance and an enduring friendship between our two great nations," said Lt. Gen. Christopher Cavoli, commanding general of U.S. Army Europe.
Over six million Europeans were displaced from their homes after World War II. Over 500,000 of those people were Polish. This former POW camp became a safe haven for displaced Polish citizens over the course of the next five years following the conclusion of the war.
"Although the camp was finally closed in 1949, about 240 Polish people stayed here forever at the Hohenfels Cemetery," said Gen. Jaroslaw Mika, General Commander of the Polish Armed Forces. "Those who rest in graves found their eternal peace here without seeing their motherlands, for which they had been fighting on all fronts during World War II for so many years. Polish Soldiers had only one aim: To see Poland free and independent again."
The liberation monument is now inscribed:
"We pass this monument to future generations in the hope that a lasting Polish - American alliance will guarantee that the tragedy caused by 20th century totalitarianism will never be repeated."
| Date Taken: | 01.27.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 01.28.2020 12:49 |
| Story ID: | 360623 |
| Location: | HOHENFELS, BY, DE |
| Web Views: | 491 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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