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As has become our custom for this event, the weekend consisted of various indoor and outdoor training exercises. Here Sgt. Petronis discusses period armoured formations.
January 2012 - Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA
The Dragoons study the next scenario "roads of death." Pvt. Tatum is captured laughing until he realizes he's slated to be in the lead half track.
January 2012 - Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA
After studying various historical scenarios we explore how to react to a giant spider attack. Our special effects would make Ed Wood jealous.
January 2012 - Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA
The spider attack was so intense and devastating that Petronis had to salve his jangled nerves by combing his hair.
January 2012 - Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA
There's always time for drill and always room for improvement. Here the men take an extra three seconds between the preparatory command and execution to attempt Polish to English translation.
January 2012 - Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA
Speaking of Polish translation, here our native Polish speaker Natalie gives us a class on some basic phrases. We found queries such as "where's the enemy located?" to be every bit as important as where's the bathroom?"
January 2012 - Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA
Friday night each member brought a traditional Polish dish to share. This year's menu included tasty foods that I can't spell. After completion we understood why this event is called "the Battle of the Bulge." If only they'd put elastic waistbands in the model 37 trousers.
January 2012 - Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA
This was taken after completion of Lance Corporal Mateja's house clearing presentation. Apparently the mental exertion was too much of Pvt. Tatum.
January 2012 - Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA
The weather was rather warm and balmy for late January. The section therefore took to whatever open spaces we could find to practice our "kite" formation. We successfully flanked the white Chevy Astro before it had a chance to react.
January 2012 - Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA
Just when we thought we couldn't drill anymore the slave driving sergeant brings out the regimental colours.
January 2012 - Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA
The students from UConn's Polish club sponsored the WWII Polish LHG at this year's event. We brought a modest display to do our part in educating the visitors as to Poland's contribution to the war effort. I'd like to thank the students and their teacher for inviting us, we had a great time.
March 2012 - University of Connecticut World Fest
The event was well attended by students, faculty and visitors. We had a non stop crowd throughout the afternoon.
March 2012 - University of Connecticut World Fest
Here members of the Polish club demonstrate a traditional dance from the southern region.
March 2012 - University of Connecticut World Fest
We've been fortunate enough to develop a great relationship with our counterparts from the 17th Century. Here Richard Brzostek sports his nobleman's period dress.
March 2012 - University of Connecticut World Fest
Before the dancing both of our historical groups gave a brief overview of our educational missions to the audience.
March 2012 - University of Connecticut World Fest
Considering the long travel distance, I decided to make a mini vacation out of the Canadian event. On Thursday the SPK headquarters in Toronto graciously invited me for dinner and to tour their collection. I am very indebted to Henry Sokolowski and Tomasz Bakalarz for their great hospitality. Here is a picture of one of their donated uniforms on display.
June 2012 - Polish Soldiers Memorial Pilgrimage Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada
The following day Brian and Linda met me at the Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton. We spent the majority of the day touring the aircraft and speaking with their staff. The museum is really doing a great job of preserving the history of the RCAF.
June 2012 - Polish Soldiers Memorial Pilgrimage Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada
Generally speaking I like to pack my vacations in with as many activities as possible. Here Stefan Wieclawek and his team pull out their various military vehicles for a convoy to a local military surplus store. They put these as well as a WWII 2.5 ton truck and jeeps on display to help raise money for the Wounded Warrior project. Thank you very much for the hospitality extended to me by the local vehicle collector chapter. I spent some time driving Stefan's halftrack around which has inspired me to start working on the rear brakes of my own M3A1. By inspired I mean sometime within the next 10 years of course.
June 2012 - Polish Soldiers Memorial Pilgrimage Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada
Of course the main purpose of the whole visit was to participate in the actual ceremony at the Haller Legion cemetery in town. The day was incredibly hot. The parade leading to the mass site wasn't too bad however once the various color guards were standing in the sun during mass, things got pretty bad. Here some of the various veterans and fraternal organizations were on our right flank.
June 2012 - Polish Soldiers Memorial Pilgrimage Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada
We were greatly honored when Stanley Markut of the 2nd Polish Armoured Regiment agreed to escort our wreath laying detail. Pictured left to right are myself in 1939 gear, Greg Fekner representing 10th Dragoons, Brian Neri as PAF and Stan in his original uniform.
June 2012 - Polish Soldiers Memorial Pilgrimage Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada
I quickly snapped this shot before we marched off to the next portion of the parade. This is an example of how many fraternal and veteran organizations support this event. We were number 44 in the wreath laying line up and there were plenty of organizations behind us as well.
June 2012 - Polish Soldiers Memorial Pilgrimage Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada
After the mass we were invited back by the Polish Canadian Congress to Polonia Park. There was great food, music and most of all people. Here an original member of the 300 squadron poses with our PAF mannequin on display. This man was a tail gunner in a Lancaster bomber towards the end of the war. We really had a great time talking to the various veterans and visitors.
June 2012 - Polish Soldiers Memorial Pilgrimage Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada
Our PA contingent Zach and Natalie represented Poland's contribution at the annual Joanna Furnace event.
July 2012 - Joanna Furnace WWII Weekend, Morgantown, PA
Zach set up a small HQ display enticing the public with a promise of filling out army forms and
sleeping on uncomfortable cots. Who couldn't resist enlisting?
July 2012 - Joanna Furnace WWII Weekend, Morgantown, PA
As you can see, it worked. Despite the oppressive July heat the promise of a free
uniform, three square meals and lots of drill has paid off. No matter that the rifle is about the same height as the recruit.
July 2012 - Joanna Furnace WWII Weekend, Morgantown, PA
Members of the WWII Polish LHG were again delighted to be invited to the shrine's
annual event. Here a August of '39 soldier poses with a young fighter of the Armia Krajowa.
September 2012 - Polish American Festival Our Lady of Czestochowa, Doylestown, PA
Our display consisted of 12 mannequins depicting various Polish WWII uniforms and equipment. The battle dress was enhanced by various weapons and paper documentation.
September 2012 - Polish American Festival Our Lady of Czestochowa, Doylestown, PA
Chris Moore carried the Polish Air Force torch for the event. Luckily the PAF served in the North African desert in 1943 thus allowing the use of cotton khaki's.
September 2012 - Polish American Festival Our Lady of Czestochowa, Doylestown, PA
The Bren MkII is always a big hit with the kids. Behind stands a mannequin with original 5th Kresowa Division insignia.
September 2012 - Polish American Festival Our Lady of Czestochowa, Doylestown, PA