A part of the group together – close to the famous underpass
1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade Group
The idea of forming the group was born in November 2001 during discussion of militaries collectors from Łodź (Poland). Reenacting idea was met by the group for the first time in Netherlands in September 1996 – the group of Dutch 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade reenactors and next in year 1999 during 55th Arnhem Battle Aniversary as well as during War&Peace show in Beltring, UK – July 2000.
The real first step was made during Moto Weteran Bazar on January, 12th 2002. Three reenactors wore uniforms of General Sosabowski`s parachutists. Recruitment has been started.
Our group was officially started on June, 21st 2002 c/o Polish Parachutists Association Unit XII in Łodź and gathers people of age 20 to 50. Members of the group have various background: historians, students, law enforcement representatives, soldiers, sellers and people of other professions. We are united by our interest. The history of 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade – first big airborne unit of Polish Army. Some of us have been collecting the militaries, Arnhem battle souvenirs and 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade for almost 20 years.
Some of us have been or are active soldiers of Polish Airborne Forces. Some of us are sky-divers. Members of our group come from Łodź, Wrocław, Częstochowa, Aleksandrów Kujawski, Kraków, Arnhem in Netherlands, Brisbane in Australia.
We stay in close touch with veterans of 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade, reenacting groups from Netherlands “Airborne Battle Wheels Oosterbeek”, Great Britain, USA, France and Australia.
We also cooperate with Airborne Museum Hartenstein in Oosterbeek in Netherlands, Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków, Museum of Independency Tradition in Łodź and Museum in Tomaszów Mazowiecki. Members of the group are also members of Historical Weaponry and Uniform Society.
Aims of Living History Group 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade:
1. To cultivate the uniform tradition of 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade by wearing copies or original uniforms of the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade of the relevant era.
2. Reconstructing of the elements of service and everyday life of the Brigade from years 1940-1947 with the emphasis put on Market-Garden preparations and the battle of Arnhem-Oosterbeek-Driel.
3. Maintenance the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade veterans` graves located in Poland.
4. 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade history and knowledge of Brigade`s war effort popularization.
5. Participating in ceremonies commemorating anniversary of Arnhem battle in the Netherlands and Poland….
6. Publishing of the newsletter containing not known information and facts of the every day life of the Brigade.
7. Preparation of the exhibitions commemorating the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade and Arnhem battle.
8. Running Living History Meetings: meetings and lectures for children and adults containing uniform and weaponry of the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade presentation.
The third on the right is the commander of the group Jacek Dziedziela
Sources:
www.arnhem1944.civ.pl/
With the permission of / and thanks to Jacek Dziedziela. Commander of the Historycznych 1e Samodzielna Bryg. Spadochronowa
Translation: Polenforum.nl
