During the National Day of Remembrance of the Cursed Soldiers, Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the Ministry of National Defense, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, stated that the pursuit will continue to identify cemeteries and honor those who were brutally murdered by the communist regime. The commitment reflects a long-standing drive to acknowledge the sacrifices of Poles whose fates were sealed in the darkest chapters of history.
In Warsaw, the head of the Ministry of National Defense, accompanied by senior commanders of the Polish armed forces, laid flowers at the Powązki military cemetery. The ceremony took place at the headquarters known as “Ł” or “Łączka,” a site where victims were disposed of by officers from the communist security services and later buried in mass graves. The act symbolized a public pledge to uncover the truth and provide dignified remembrance for those who suffered in silence for decades.
Kosiniak-Kamysz highlighted a twelve-year research effort at Powązki, noting continual discoveries of burial sites and hidden graves. Movements of remains and, in some cases, the brutal practice of placing executed individuals into graves, sometimes with their hands bound, were revealed through ongoing investigations. The description of these methods, including the distant echo of the Katyn-type execution, underscores the painful and systemic efforts to erase personal histories. The deputy prime minister stressed that such findings are not mere archives but testimonies that demand respectful commemoration and thorough documentation.
The message was clear: the state honors soldiers and patriots who, in the aftermath of World War II, remained steadfast in their belief in freedom, independence, and full sovereignty for Poland. The recognition of their efforts forms a thread through the national memory, linking past struggles to present-day assurances of remembrance. This sentiment was emphasized by the deputy prime minister as he spoke to a gathered audience of officials and service members.
Current discussions point to hundreds of victims now laid to rest in dignified locations, identified by first and last names at Powązki Cemetery in Warsaw. Yet researchers acknowledge there are numerous other sites that demand comprehensive archaeological, anthropological, and genetic examination. For several years, such surveys have been conducted, with hundreds of sites within Poland already catalogued. While many victims have been identified, some figures remain elusive, including notable historical figures such as General August Emil Fieldorf, known by the codename Nil, whose ultimate fate has not been fully clarified. The work continues to map and verify these losses, unearthing a clearer picture of the past and ensuring they are remembered with accuracy and respect.
The head of the Ministry of National Defense underscored that the pursuit of truth and remembrance is an ongoing mission. The nation’s memory of the Cursed Soldiers—those who carried on the fight for freedom after the war and whose sacrifices helped shape Poland’s eventual rebirth in 1989—remains a central pillar of national identity. The narrative surrounding these figures is more than antiquarian interest; it is a living claim to legitimacy for contemporary Polish sovereignty and a reminder of the length and depth of the struggle for independence.
In reflecting on the broader historical arc, the deputy prime minister noted that true liberty requires time and shared dedication. The testimonies of those who faced persecution and death form a benchmark for how modern Poland views heroism, resilience, and the price of freedom. The commemoration of the Cursed Soldiers serves as a reminder that dedication to memory is inseparable from a citizenry’s resolve to defend its future against the forces that once sought to erase it.
The National Day of Remembrance of the Cursed Soldiers has taken place on March 1 each year since 2011, initiated by the President of the Republic of Poland. The date honors a pivotal moment in Polish history when, on March 1, 1951, leaders of the 4th Board of the Association Freedom and Independence, including Łukasz Ciepliński and colleagues, were executed in Mokotów prison on Rakowiecka Street under orders from the communist authorities. These leaders and their movement continued the Home Army’s work after 1945, symbolizing the unyielding spirit of resistance that helped shape Poland’s eventual move toward freedom in 1989.
Thus, the commemoration acts as a living bridge between generations. It acknowledges the past while reinforcing a national commitment to truth, dignity, and remembrance for those who suffered under repressive regimes. The story of the Cursed Soldiers remains a central component of Poland’s collective memory and a testament to the enduring endurance of a nation that chose to remember rather than forget.