The celebration of the unveiling of the memorial at the monument of General Władysław Anders in the Italian city of Cassino ended three-day events organized on the occasion of the 81st anniversary of the conflict of Monte Cassino. In the border, behind the figure of the legendary commander standing on the square at the confluence of Via Dante and Via Gabriele D'Annunzio, 1057 names of his subordinates who died in battles over the monastic hill were engraved.
“Every day we gotta keep our communicative alive. This is the only way to strengthen our cultural identity and distance the danger of repeating specified inhumane behaviour and decisions in Europe. Memorials are intertwined with memories and desires. It is an expression of the desire that the character of the general whom we would like to see walking along the road should be connected with the memory of the movie “The large Way” – this is simply a fragment of the inscription in 3 languages, Italian, Polish and English, which is unveiled today. It is worth reminding that the 1946 Polish-Italian feature movie tells about the destiny of people displaced on Siberia in 1939 who survived exile and got into General Anders' army.
– I'm so happy that managed to complete our task in downtown Cassino. A year ago, there was a memorial to the general, and now he's a memorial. Within the border, the names of 1057 heroes, Polish soldiers were engraved, who were not expected to win the conflict – says Bogusław Maminski, the main originator of the presentation in the center of Cassino of the monument of Gen. Anders and the memorial. erstwhile world's top runner at 3000 m with obstacles, and now the president of the “Sporting” Club of the Interhealthy, did not cover the joy of a comprehensive implementation of the plan. “We have left an educational task that will service at least 100 years,” he adds with a smile. erstwhile asked about further ideas related to commemoration The conflict of Monte Cassino, announced that he would now search to popularize among young people, especially from the schools of the name Heroes of Monte Cassino, a historical way of the large conflict fought in May 1944. – Next year we want to organize the 5th edition of Trekking Historical way conflict of Monte Cassino. It is truly worth spreading this event to encourage as many people as possible to participate in it," said the vice-master of the planet from 1983.
The task in the centre of Cassino was carried out thanks to the support of the authorities of this town, the municipality of Międzyzdroje, the Wieliczka district, the municipalities of Biskupice, Gdów and Kłaj, the town and the commune of Niepołomice and the Wieliczka SA Salt Mine.
Prior to the ceremony of unveiling the memorial in Cassino City Office, partnership agreements were signed between Cassino and the municipalities of Międzyzdroje and Gdów and the Wieliczka County. On the host side, the contract was signed by Mayor Cassino Enzo Salera. Interzdroje was represented by Beata Kiryluk, deputy mayor, Gdów – Zbigniew Wojas, mayor of the commune, and Wielicki territory – Roman Bird, politician of Wielicki.
As part of the three-day events organised on the 81st anniversary of the conflict of Monte Cassino, 2 sporting events were besides held: 4th Trekking Historical way conflict of Monte Cassino and 21st global Run "Città di Cassino".
4th Trekking on Monte Cassino
On Sunday 11 May, about 100 people set out for the 4th trekking tour on Monte Cassino from the center located at the ft of the celebrated hill of Cassino. Before the participants of the march, whose main organizer was the “Sporting” Runner's Club from Interzdrojów, they rode on cavalry horses and civilian riders with Colonel Włodzimierz “Wowa” Brodecki at the head. The colonel in 1984 celebrated the 40th anniversary of the conflict of Monte Cassino with a lone horse rally from Chełm through Kraków to the place of the large triumph of the Polish weapon. This time, the boy of Ulan from the Volynian Cavalry Brigade and guerrilla 27 Volynian Infantry Division of the AK led the amateur trekking along a historical way of a large conflict fought by Polish soldiers in May 1944.
The 11-kilometre long was set in 2022 by the Military Publishing Institute In cooperation with Cassino and the Polish National Foundation. The road was marked with 12 plaques, set in symbolic places related to Poles fighting over the hill. They contain short information in Polish, Italian and English, as well as photos and situational maps. any of the participants of this year’s march have had this kind of past lesson for the 4th time. Most, however, debutees started the trekking tour. The youngest of them were respective years old and the oldest, with the president of the club "Sporting" Bogusław Maminiński at the head, over 70.
The Olympian of Interzdroj and the head of “Sporting” brought with him a large delegation from his town. Among them came Cassino: Beata Kiryluk, Deputy Mayor, Iwona Czyż, president of the City Council, Henryk Nogal, City Council Councillor and Anetta Czyżak, authoritative from the presentation of the promotion of culture and tourism of the Międzyzdroje City Hall, who was the only 1 to participate in trekking for the second time. She made her debut 2 years ago erstwhile the way came along with a 17-member youth group from the Athletic Academy of Inter-Health and Scouts of X Szczepu "The Nest". It was raining and it was slippery. But everyone did. Now it's not raining, and surely with a group of councillors and officials, we will overcome the way – she said before the start.
On way IV of Trekking on Monte Cassino there were no shortage of soldiers. A large group was a staff from the Joint Allied Forces Command in Naples. I'm in trekking for the second time. It is pleasure, joy, but besides our work to celebrate the heroes who unfortunately stayed here did not go further to victory. We all go with the flags with our families – said Lt. Piotr Białousz. The officer first took part in the march last year. A German naval officer walked with me. In addition, many Spaniards and respective French marched. Trekking is rather popular in our command and, by the way, we are talking to officers and officers of various nations about history. It turns out they know her well, but sometimes we have different views on things. I noticed that soldiers from countries that did not participate in the conflict of Monte Cassino, e.g. Spaniards, have a somewhat different, possibly more nonsubjective point of view," added the commander.
Running ‘eye’
The day before trekking, for the 21st time, was besides held the global run "Città di Cassino". The distance of 9.6 km defeated 127 players. Apart from the hosts, the largest group were runners from Poland – 9 Poles took part. In addition, 1 player was represented by Germany, Romania, France and Moldova. The first 3 seats were taken by representatives of Italy. Triumphed Umberto Persi, who beat the way in 31 min 22 s. In women's competition, besides all the seats on the podium in the open classification were occupied by Italians – the fastest was Anna Bornaschella.
The best performer from Poland was Bartosz Jurwa. erstwhile Extraclass player (in the top-class competition in the colours of Pogoni Szczecin, Arka Gdynia, Amiki Wronki and Widzewa Łódź played more than 200 matches) in the open classification took 12th place and was second in the men's competition in the M-45 category. The 23rd position was finished by Karol Czuba and the 76th by Waldemar Tadeusz Kordyl. The best of Poles was Marik Molenda, who in the women's rivalry took the eighth place and second in the age category W-35. Bogusław Mamiński besides competed in the race, which in the age category of men over 70 years was placed in the 3rd position.
Results:
1. Umberto Persi (Italy) 31 min 22 s
2. Andrea Todisco (Italy) 32 min 14 s
3. Daniele Vulpiani (Italy) 33 min 59 s
...
12. (1st of Poles, 2nd place in cat. M-45) Bartosz Jury 37 min 18 s
23. (2 of Poles, 3rd place in cat. M-35) Karol Czuba 40 min 8 s
35. (I in Women's Competition) Anna Bornaschella (Italy) 42 min 54 s
40. (II) Elisa Vecchio (Italy) 43 min 43 s
55. (III) Simona Di Mauro (Italy) 45 min 30 s
76. (3. of Poles) Waldemar Tadeusz Kordyl 48 min 21 s
87. (best of Poles, 2nd place in cat. W-35) Marika Molenda 50 min 38 p.
