Report submitted by the Polish Heritage Institute – Kaszuby, Canada
KASZUBY, CANADA During the weekend of August 14 -15, 2021 a number of events under the patronage of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland were held in Barry’s Bay and Round Lake. This particular weekend has a twofold meaning for Poland: The Battle of Warsaw (August 12 – 25, 1920) was a victory for Poland during the Russo-Polish War, ensuring the survival of an independent Poland until the beginning of WW II. In August 1944 as the Allies pushed eastward during WW II, the First Polish Armoured Division, with Canadian, British and American forces, fought in the Battle of Falaise, France. Above: At left, Mayor Kim Love speaks with Ambassador Dr. Andrzej Kurnicki; To the right of Jan Zurakowski sculpture are Anna Psuty, Iwona Proszek-Mooney (back to camera), Mary-Rose Dawes (hidden), Dr. Aleksander Jablonski.
To officially kick off the weekend, the Polish Heritage Institute – Kaszuby, Canada, held a private luncheon for His Excellency, Ambassador Dr. Andrzej Kurnicki, who was accompanied by Dr. Aleksander Jablonski, President of the Oskar Halecki Institute in Canada. Mayor Kim Love, Township of Madawaska Valley and Mary-Rose Dawes, Chair of the Zurakowski Park Committee, represented the Township and the Committee respectively.
On August 14, Ambassador Dr. Kurnicki laid a floral tribute at the statue of Jan Zurakowski, a Polish fighter and test pilot, who chose to live in the Barry’s Bay area after the unfortunate demise of the Canadian Avro Arrow program in the late 1950s. Jan Zurakowski was a pilot in the Polish Air Force prior to WW II. At the onset of the war Jan escaped to Britain where he, with many Polish Air Force pilots, flew hundreds of missions under the command of the Royal Air Force, contributing to Allied efforts to end WW II.
That evening, Ambassador Dr. Kurnicki attended services at St. Casimir’s Church in Round Lake and laid a floral tribute in honour of five local residents who had given their lives in WW II. Of particular note is Cpl. Edward Yanta, Royal Regiment of Canada, who was killed during the Battle of Falaise, France on August 14, 1944.
The Battle of Falaise, France in August 1944 was one of the key battles ensuring that Allied forces (British, Canadian, American, and Polish forces) could continue their eastward push towards Wilhelmshaven. The First Canadian Army and the First Polish Armoured Division played a crucial role in this battle.
Symposium considers General Stanislaw Maczek
On August 15, a mass was held at the Cathedral in the Pines, Kaszuby, to commemorate both the 101st Battle of Warsaw and the 77th anniversary of the Battle of Falaise. After the service Ambassador Dr. Kurnicki spoke about the First Polish Armoured Division under the command of General Stanislaw Maczek. He emphasized how General Maczek was respected by his Canadian, British and American peers. He was considered by all to be a highly trained professional soldier, known to make the right decisions. Ambassador Dr. Kurnicki’s account of General Maczek as a top-notch fighting commander highlighted his expertise during the Battle of Falaise. General Maczek never returned to his beloved Poland after WW II. He died at the age of 102 in Scotland in 1994. His request to be buried with “his men” in the Polish Military Field of Honour, Breda, Netherlands was honoured.
Dr. Jablonski spoke to General Maczek’s exemplary leadership skills, which were solidly based on three pillars – commitment to family, education, and his Catholic faith. These three pillars of strength made General Maczek the MAN that was revered by “his men.”
Capt. (N) Krzysztof Ksiazek, Defence Attaché at the Polish embassy, provided an overview of Polish-Canadian military co-operation from early 20th century to present day initiatives which include training, exchange tours, and serving together on NATO missions. This cooperation is highly valued by both countries.
The presentation concluded with a few words by Anna Psuty, President, Polish Heritage Institute – Kaszuby, Canada. She, with other speakers, acknowledged the presence of Iwona Proszek-Mooney, daughter of Major Roman Proszek who served under General Maczek. Major Proszek received a number of military honours, including Virtuti Militari, Silver Cross, for his role in the 1944/45 campaign. The War Order of Virtuti Militari is Poland’s highest military decoration for heroism and courage and is considered the world’s oldest military decoration still in use today.
Many Polish army, naval and air force personnel immigrated to Canada from the late 1940s into the 1950s, settling in the Montreal and Toronto areas. Barry’s Bay and surrounding areas, reminiscent of Polish lakes and hills, became the seasonal home for these veterans, including those from the First Polish Armoured Division. These veterans maintained their comrade-in-arms friendships through the veterans’ group, the First Polish Armoured Division Association in Canada.
It is nice to recognize Polish soldiers who vacationed in this area, but how about recognizing the Polish soldiers who settled in this area in the late 40’s and raised families here.