Deputy Prime Minister Piotr Gliński and Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak were among those who travelled to the historic site some 130 kilometres southeast of Rome to honour Polish soldiers during commemorations of the 1944 battle, which opened the road to the Italian capital for Allied troops.
"We stand with our heads bowed at the Polish war cemetery here to pay tribute to the fallen and to all Polish soldiers who fought in this deadly battle," said Gliński during the ceremonies, which marked 78 years since the 2nd Polish Corps led by Gen. Władysław Anders finally captured Monte Cassino after months of heavy fighting.
Gliński added that the heroes of the Battle of Monte Cassino "gave their lives not only for Poland, but for all of Europe."
Meanwhile, Błaszczak told those at the ceremony that the heroes of the Battle of Monte Cassino were "role models for all Poles, and especially for Polish Army soldiers today."
He added that the Polish troops at the time "gave their lives for Poland and Italy." He also thanked "all those who keep their memory alive."
Anna Maria Anders, Poland's ambassador to Italy and Gen. Anders' daughter, was among officials taking part in the ceremonies in Italy on Wednesday, along with a group of veterans, military men and scouts.
"Go, tell Poland, O stranger passing by, that here we lie..."
The hills of Monte Cassino with their fortified Benedictine monastery were a key German defensive position along the so-called Gustav line designed to prevent the Allies from taking Rome during World War II.
The 2nd Polish Corps commanded by Gen. Anders captured Monte Cassino on May 18, 1944, after 123 days of fierce fighting.
The victory cost the lives of 923 Polish troops, with 2,931 wounded and 345 declared missing in action.
By the time the war ended in 1945, a Polish military cemetery was established on the slopes of Monte Cassino, which today is a major site of national remembrance for Poles.
Jan Józef Kasprzyk, head of Poland’s Office for War Veterans and Victims of Oppression, on Wednesday described the cemetery as "a sacred place" for the Polish people.
A total of 1,072 Polish soldiers are buried there, among them Gen. Anders, who died in London in 1970.
A sign on the cemetery wall says: "Go, tell Poland, O stranger passing by, that here we lie—having fallen faithful in her service."
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Source: IAR, PAP, TVP Info