1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade

The First Polish Independent Parachute Brigade was formed
in Fife on the 23rd September 1941.
Happy 70th Anniversary!

It sort of existed before this. It started life as the Fourth Cadre Rifle Brigade and was made up of volunteers who had escaped Nazi-controlled Poland through France or Rumania and later by those deported by the Russians to Siberia and then freed when Germany attacked Russia.

After an astonishing display of expertise and skill at Kincraig in front of  General Sikorski, Commander in Chief of the Free Polish Forces, and members of the British government, it was decided that the brigade should be independent. Its Commanding Officer was General Stanisław Sosabowski (see previous blog post). Their express aim was to achieve freedom for Poland and their aim was to be the first to fight on their home land. Hence their motto was Najkrótszą drogą (“By the shortest way”).

The brigade’s headquarters were at Largo House and the soldiers were billeted in the area around Leven, Largo and the East Neuk villages. Largo House was known locally as “Małpy Gaj” or “Monkey Grove” because of the strange training jumps that were erected amongst the trees. Soldiers could be seen swinging and jumping from the trees in practice sessions before heading off to Ringway Aerodrome (now Manchester Airport). There they had to complete a four week training course including actual jumps from planes. On completion they received their wings – a silver diving eagle badge with an individual number and the words “Tobie Ojczyzno” (“For you My country”) on the back.

By 1944, the brigade had over 3,000 trained men. They had anticipated being dropped into Warsaw at the right moment to support the Home Army (“Armia Krajowa”) and defeat the Germans but Churchill, Roosevelt and more importantly Stalin blocked this. As a result it was clear to the Poles (and perhaps others) what Stalin’s real intentions for Poland were. History shows us they were right to be wary. The brigade did see action as part of  Operation Market Garden. Those that jumped and survived the drop into Arnhem have a wreath in the clutches of their swooping eagle badge. My dad injured his foot in training and was unable to join the campaign. There are lots of websites giving details of this campaign, eg, Poland in Exile.

After the victory over Germany in 1945, the brigade undertook duties in northern Germany until 1947 when it was disbanded. As they suspected, Stalin now took control of Poland and most of these men felt unable to return to their home land. Many stayed in the UK and made new lives for themselves. Many did not live long enough to see a free Poland.

Above photos from my own and Krysia Campbell’s family albums
and the Sikorski Museum 

 

 

~ by marysia on 23 September 2011.