MONTE CASSINO 80

This is Ognisko Polskie’s Monte Cassino 80, supported by the Polish Cultural Institute - a podcast series where, in this 80th anniversary year we reflect on the Battle of Monte Cassino in the second world war, and consider the contribution of Poles to the battle itself as well as to the broader Italian Campaign – We hope to examine how 80 years on, the battle of Monte Cassino still reverberates - and consider its cultural and its emotional impact on Poles down the generations.

The podcast episodes are produced in conjunction with the Monte Cassino 80 events held at Ognisko Polskie, London 17th and 18th May 2024. The podcast features contributions from historians, interviews with veterans as well as family recollections.

Presented and produced by Jola Piesakowska #MyLondyn

Interviews recorded April May June 2024

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Last refreshed: July 2nd, 2025 at 9:01 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

In conversation with Prof Norman Davies author of Trail of Hope

"I get more correspondence from" Trail of Hope "than anything else... Lots of books about Monte Cassino but not very much about the whole Odyssey". 'Trail of Hope' situates the Anders Army's journey within the broader context of World War II and the geopolitical shifts affecting Eastern Europe. The book starts with the Soviet invasion of Poland in 1939 and the subsequent forced deportation of Polish citizens to Siberian gulags. After the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, Sikorski - Mays...

Feb 06, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 10

Polish Women Warriors of 317 Transport - Tola Styraniec

In this podcast we meet Nuna Staniaszek whose mother Tola Turska, nee Styraniec was a volunteer with 317 General transport 2nd Polish Corps. Her service as listed in her Military records began in the Middle East and then on to the Theatre of Operations in Italy between February 1944 and 4th March 1945: On the rivers Sangro and Rapido for Monte Cassino, The Gustav-Hitler Line Adriatic Coast, Ancona, The Gothic Line, Northern Appenines on the River Senio. I was gripped by Pani Tola’s stories of he...

Aug 06, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 9

The 4th Volunteer, Zdzisław Łukasiewicz 2nd Corps Culture and Press Department

Not only was Zdzisław Łukasiewicz the 4th volunteer in the Polish Army under General Anders that formed in the USSR after the Sikorski Mayski Agreement, he was given the job of travelling across USSR to muster Poles who had been incarcerated in gulags and prisons. In this episode of Monte Cassino 80, we meet Konrad “Radders” Harandon, the grandson of Zdzisław Łukasiewicz member of the Polish 4th “Skorpion” and then 2nd Armoured Brigade who became the editor of “Taran,” the newspaper of 2nd “Wars...

Jul 27, 2024•48 min•Season 1Ep. 8

The Polish Soldiers' Grit, Determination and Fearlessness in Battle PART 2

Marek Mrozek, talks about the 2nd corps soldiers’ their reputation for grit, determination and fearlessness in battle. Across 2 podcasts we will be talking about the historical and social journey of the Polish men and women, of the 2nd Corp, drugi korpus led by general Anders. We will explore why the volunteered to fight and why they were ready for the victory at the Battle for Monte Cassino In part 2 of The Polish Soldiers' Grit, Determination and Fearlessness in Battle, before leaving the Midd...

Jul 22, 2024•53 min•Season 1Ep. 7

The Polish Soldiers' Grit, Determination and Fearlessness in Battle PART 1

In this episode of Monte Cassino 80 , we meet Marek Mrozek. Across 2 podcasts we will be talking about the historical and social journey of the Polish men and women of the 2nd Corp, Drugi Korpus led by General Anders. We will explore why and how they volunteered to fight and why they were ready for the victory at the Battle for Monte Cassino. Marek is a volunteer at Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum, London and the curator of the highly successful exhibition Polish Armed Forces on the Front L...

Jul 21, 2024•39 min•Season 1Ep. 6

How to Find Your Polish Roots

In this episode of Monte Cassino 80, with thanks to Kresy Family Polish WWII History Group, we meet Jan Zajaczkowski. Jan is a volunteer at Kresy Family who has become an authority on navigating the available archives as well as adding to the tools to help you find your Polish Roots. In this podcast he explains what is accessible if you are researching a family journey from Kresy, through Siberia, Drugi Korpus 2nd Corps and service in the Italian campaign. KRESY FAMILY RESEARCH LINKS PAGE https:...

Jul 06, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 5

A Battle Translated - Charles Kraszewski, translator of Wankowicz's Battle of Monte Cassino trilogy

Finally - 80 years after the Polish victory of the Battle of Monte Cassino – Melchior Wańkowicz’s “The Battle of Monte Cassino” has been translated into English. “The book should become a historical source. That's why we can find information about one and a half thousand participants on its pages.” Melchior Wańkowicz. In this episode, Jola Piesakowska speaks to distinguished translator Charles Kraszewski about his work translating Melchior Wańkowicz’s “The Battle of Monte Cassino” ahead of its p...

Jun 21, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 4

Porucznik Danuta Gradosielska PSK 316 Transport Company

"I realise now, that at 18, I was too young to understand just how dangerous this was." Danuta (Mączka) Gradosielska was 18 years old when she saw active service at Monte Cassino and the Italian Campaign as a driver with 316th POMOCNICZA SŁUŻBA KOBIET, WOMEN'S AUXILIARY SERVICES Drugi Korpus 2nd Corps. The 316th PWSK Transport Company was an all-female unit, driving 3-ton Dodge trucks and armed with rifles for self-defence they serviced the supply columns of the 2nd Polish Corps and British Unit...

Jun 14, 2024•36 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Corporal Waleria Sawicka PSK Signals 2 Corps

Corporal Waleria Sawicka, 101, shares her harrowing journey during WWII, beginning with the invasion of Poland and her subsequent deportation to Siberia. She details her eventual service in the Polish 2nd Corps Signals Regiment in Italy, where her highly classified work was crucial for Allied communications. Sawicka reflects on the challenges faced, her assertive nature in the military, the battle of Monte Cassino, and the poignant lack of post-war recognition for Polish soldiers.

May 24, 2024•41 min•Season 1Ep. 2

Colonel Romuald Lipinski 12 Pułk Ułanów Podolskich veteran Battle of Monte Cassino

Colonel Romuald Lipinski is a veteran of the battle of Monte Cassino and the last surviving soldier of the 12th Podolski Lancers Regiment, 12 Pułk Ułanów Podolskich. 2nd Polish Corps. Drugi Korpus. In this podcast he describes the moment on the 18th May 1944 when his regiment the 12th Podolski Lancers, 12 Pułk Ułanów Podolskich raised their pennant over the Monastery of Monte Cassino… Recorded in April 2024, marking the 80th anniversary of the battle of Monte Cassino, Colonel Lipinski spoke to m...

May 13, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 1

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