Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Kris Wright | Soldiers from 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division and their Polish,...... read more read more
ZAGAN, Poland – Soldiers from 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division and their Polish partners joined the Polish people to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the ‘great escape’ from the Stalag Luft III POW camp here on March 23-24, 2019.
The anniversary event commemorated the escape of Allied POWs who crawled through a 334 foot tunnel to escape the camp 75 years ago. The event was famously depicted in the film, “The Great Escape”.
The two day event included displays of Polish and U.S. military equipment, living history reenactors, tours of a POW barracks, and a 10 kilometer run. Soldiers and civilians alike commented on the significance of the event.
“There was a lot of pain here,” said Bartolomeiej Danilowicz, a Polish living history reenactor. “It’s a historic place, during World War II there was Nazi Germany here and now it’s amazing that we have the U.S. and Polish Army here.”
1st ABCT, 1st Inf. Div. is currently in Europe for 9 months in support of Atlantic Resolve, the museum visit was a special occasion during a rotation primarily focused on training with allies and being ready to respond to a crisis.
“I think the event is important because history is important for Poland and the Polish Army,” said Capt. Raoslaw Woronowski of the Polish Army. “I think it’s good to have the Polish and Americans cooperating together. While training together, I think we can connect tactically and with a coordinated effort.”
U.S. Soldiers here have the opportunity to experience a Polish culture rich in tradition and history.
“We enjoy the training, I value everyday that we’ve had in Poland,” said Sgt. Matthew Ferichs, combat engineer from 1st ABCT, 1st Inf. Div. “They have a lot of history and every time I’ve interacted with the Polish people they’ve been awesome, it’s a really good honor to be with them and just experience this country as a whole.”
The deployment of ready, combat-credible U.S. forces to Europe in support of Atlantic Resolve is evidence of the strong and unremitting U.S. commitment to NATO and Europe.
| Date Taken: | 03.23.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 03.26.2019 13:47 |
| Story ID: | 315696 |
| Location: | PL |
| Web Views: | 108 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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