Polish War Cemetery in Loreto

Heroes of Monte Cassino and the Liberation of Italy

The 2nd Polish Corps commanded by General Division Władysław Anders distinguished itself during the Italian campaign of 1944-1945 by capturing Monte Cassino in May 1944 and opening the way to Rome for the Allies. It also played a major role in liberating the Adriatic part of Italy (Marche and Emilia Romagna regions).

1090 Soldiers rest in Loreto

1944-1945 Italian campaign

4 Polish cemeteries in Italy

History of the 2nd Polish Corps

The history of the 2nd Polish Corps begins with the formation of the Polish Army in the USSR, created in August 1941 from Polish citizens who found themselves in Soviet prisons and gulags (gulag) as a result of internment or deportation carried out by the NKVD after the German-Soviet partition of Poland in September 1939. The most tragic fate befell the majority of Polish officers and policemen who were captured by the Soviets in September 1939 and were subsequently murdered (over 22,000 people) by the NKVD in the spring of 1940 (including at Katyn).

After Germany's aggression against the USSR and the signing of the Polish-Soviet agreement in July 1941 by the Polish government in London under the leadership of General Władysław Sikorski, the Polish Army in the USSR began to be formed under the command of General Division Władysław Anders. In spring-summer 1942, the units of the Polish Army along with civilians were evacuated to the Middle East. After joining with the Polish Independent Carpathian Rifle Brigade (fighting since 1941 in North Africa under British command), the Polish Army in the East was created in September 1942, from which the 2nd Polish Corps was separated in July 1943 with the intention of directing it to fight in Europe.

Battle of Monte Cassino

After landing in southern Italy, units of the 2nd Polish Corps (numbering approximately 53,000 officers and soldiers) were gradually introduced to the front, which was then located over the Sangro River. The main German defense line was concentrated on the "Gustav Line" and stopped the march of Allied forces to Rome. Its key point was the Monte Cassino monastery and surrounding hills. From January to the end of March 1944, forces of many nationalities unsuccessfully tried to capture the German positions.

General Anders' Decision

At the end of March 1944, the commander of the British 8th Army proposed that the Poles undertake this difficult task. General Division Władysław Anders, although aware of the heavy losses that the 2nd Corps would have to bear, decided to accept the proposal, guided by the conviction that a Polish victory could help guarantee a free and independent Poland in the future.

The price of victory at Monte Cassino

The capture of Monte Cassino by the 2nd Polish Corps resonated throughout the world, but the Poles paid a high price for it.

923 officers and soldiers fell

2931 were wounded

345 went missing

Adriatic Campaign and Liberation of Loreto

After a brief rest, the 2nd Polish Corps received from the Allied command in Italy an independent and very responsible mission to conduct offensive operations on the Adriatic sector. One of the main military objectives was to capture Ancona – the largest port on the Adriatic. In order to compensate for the losses suffered at Monte Cassino, under General Anders' command were placed units of the Italian Liberation Corps commanded by General Umberto Utili, a British detachment, and a small partisan group called the Maiella Brigade, led by lawyer from Abruzzo Ettore Troilo and commanded by Polish officers.

July 1, 1944 - Liberation of Loreto

From mid-June 1944, the 2nd Corps began operations from the Pescara region and after several days of rapid offensive, during which a number of Italian cities were liberated, fought the first heavy battles to force the Chienti River. With the breakthrough of German defenses on the Chienti River, the first stage of the battle for Ancona began for the 2nd Corps, the so-called Battle of Loreto (capture of Loreto, July 1, 1944). In the liberated city, Polish soldiers with full dedication saved the Basilica of Loreto with the Holy House from fire (after German bombardment), thus earning the respect and gratitude of the city's residents and receiving special thanks from the Pope.

After heavy fighting around Osimo, the Carpathian Lancers Regiment entered Ancona on July 18, warmly welcomed by the few remaining residents.

Final War Operations

After capturing Ancona, the 2nd Corps continued its advance along the Adriatic Sea to the German "Gothic Line." In the first days of September 1944, the 2nd Corps captured Pesaro and managed to destroy and break through, as the first among Allied forces, the famous "Gothic Line," which had enormous strategic importance for the German command.

April 21, 1945 - Bologna

In the spring of 1945, Polish units participated in the Allies' final offensive, whose goal was to capture the Po Valley. On April 21, Polish units entered Bologna. The liberation of this city was the last victorious war operation of the 2nd Polish Corps in Italy.

Total losses in the Italian campaign

During the entire 1944-1945 campaign for the liberation of Italy, the 2nd Polish Corps suffered heavy losses.

2620 officers and soldiers died

8376 were wounded

Most of the fallen and those who died after the war from various causes now rest in four Polish War Cemeteries in Italy (Casamassima, Monte Cassino, Loreto, Bologna).

Fate after the war

The end of the war did not mean the end of the fight for an independent homeland for Poles, especially officers and soldiers of the 2nd Polish Corps. Most of them came from lands that, as a result of the Conference of the Great Powers in Yalta, found themselves outside Poland's borders.

After more than a year's stay in Italy, in the second half of 1946, a decision was made to demobilize and dissolve the 2nd Corps, which was evacuated to Great Britain. Some soldiers remained in Italy, many settled in Great Britain, and others emigrated to the United States, Canada, South America, and Australia.

General Władysław Anders died in London in 1970 and was buried among his soldiers at the Polish War Cemetery at Monte Cassino.

Polish War Cemetery in Loreto

The Polish War Cemetery in Loreto was built between January 1945 and May 1946 according to the design of Major Engineer Marian Hernik. Sculptures and reliefs in the cemetery were made by Sanzio Blasi.

Those who rest here:

At the Polish War Cemetery in Loreto rest 1090 officers and soldiers of the 2nd Polish Corps who fell in battles for the liberation of the Marche region from June to September 1944.

In most graves rest soldiers of Catholic faith
5 graves of soldiers of Orthodox faith
10 Protestant
11 Jewish
1 Muslim
In four graves of unknown soldiers are buried eight fallen

Spiritual Guardians

The spiritual guardians of the Polish graves at the War Cemetery in Loreto are the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, called the Sisters of Nazareth.

Anyone can visit and pray for the young and heroic souls resting at the foot of the Basilica of Loreto, and on November 2nd each year, a Holy Mass is celebrated for their souls.

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Pay tribute to the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom of Poland and Italy

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