Monte Cassino Polish war cemetery Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Monte Cassino Polish war cemetery
Details
Polish cemetery, as seen from Monte Cassino monastery
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Established	1944
Location	Monte Cassino
Country	Italy
Type	Polish soldiers
No. of graves	1,072

The Polish war cemetery at Monte Cassino is a special place. It holds the graves of 1,072 Polish soldiers. These brave soldiers died in May 1944. They were fighting during the Battle of Monte Cassino. This battle was a very important part of World War II.

The cemetery is cared for by a group called the Council for the Protection of Memorial Sites of Struggle and Martyrdom. This group makes sure the cemetery stays in good condition.

You can tell the religious beliefs of the soldiers by their gravestones.

Christian crosses mark graves for Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox soldiers.
Jewish soldiers have headstones with the Star of David.

General Władysław Anders is also buried here. He was the leader of the Polish forces that captured Monte Cassino. General Anders passed away in London in 1970. His ashes were brought to the cemetery to be buried with his soldiers.

The cemetery is very close to the famous Monte Cassino Abbey. You can see the cemetery clearly from the Abbey. It is the closest of all the Allied cemeteries. This shows how important the Polish fighters were in the battle. Many people say the Poles were the ones who finally freed the Abbey from the German forces. Because of their bravery, they were honored by being buried so close to the place they fought for.

History of the Cemetery
Special Messages and Songs
Images for kids
See also

History of the Cemetery

The cemetery is built on the side of a hill. This hill was known as Point 445 during the war. It is part of the Monte Cassino mountain. Most of the soldiers buried here were from the Polish 2nd Army Corps. This group was led by Lieutenant General Władysław Anders.

These Polish soldiers bravely attacked the German defenders many times. The Germans were hiding inside the monastery at Monte Cassino. This happened during May 1944. On the morning of May 18, 1944, Polish forces finally entered the ruined Abbey. They proudly raised the Polish flag.

The first soldiers were buried in the cemetery in 1944. The cemetery was finished in 1946. It was designed by two people, Wacław Hryniewicz and Jerzy Skolimowski. The cemetery was officially blessed on September 1, 1945.

Special Messages and Songs

The Polish memorial at Monte Cassino has two important messages. The first message is like an old saying from a famous battle. It says:

Passer-by, go tell Poland

That we have perished obedient to her service

This means, "If you pass by, tell our home country, Poland, that we died doing what she asked."

The other message is on a gatepost near the entrance. It is translated from Polish:

For our freedom and yours

We soldiers of Poland gave

Our soul to God

Our life to the soil of Italy

Our hearts to Poland

This message shows the soldiers' dedication. They fought for freedom for everyone. They gave their lives for their country and for Italy.

There is also a famous song about the battle. It is called "The Red Poppies on Monte Cassino". This song was written just before the Polish soldiers attacked the German stronghold. It remembers the Polish soldiers who gave their lives. Many Poles know the main part of the song:

The red poppies on Monte Cassino

Drank Polish blood instead of dew...

O'er the poppies the soldiers did go

'Mid death, and to their anger stayed true!

Years will come and ages will go,

Enshrining their strivings and their toil!...

And the poppies on Monte Cassino

Will be redder for Poles' blood in their soil.

This song helps people remember the bravery and sacrifice of the Polish soldiers.