Polish Armed Forces Exhibit

09/17/2026

Soviet Invasion of Poland, September 17th, 1939 and the Polish fight for freedom 🇵🇱

From the beginning, this was to be a different kind of war—a war not only of conquest but also of annihilation.

08/17/2026

Polish Armed Forces Exhibit at the Buffalo Naval Park.

The Polish Armed Forces Exhibit opened in August 1984 and is located aboard the USS Little Rock. It honors the 6 million Poles who perished during World War II in defense of their homeland.

It highlights the vital role of the Polish Armed Forces in the Allied victory and the important contribution of Poles to world history, while sharing the accomplishments of these freedom fighters. Poland, the third-largest Allied army, played a major role in the battles that broke the strength of N**i Germany and the Soviet Axis.

The 2022 re-design streamlined the collections, conveying the message of the exhibit, and incorporated new visual media elements. Polish involvement covers Land, Sea, Air & Memory showcasing Army campaigns, the RAF, Naval contributions and the importance of this commemoration.

The committee consisted of Shane Stephenson (Naval Park Museum director), Andrzej Golebiewski, Matt Opalinski (UB student and project intern), Tony Markut and the Czyz brothers (Bo, Vit and Rob). Thanks to a generous donation from the Permanent Chair of Polish Culture Canisius College & Mary Lou Wyrobek, the funds helped to update display cases, signage, timeline and kiosk monitors.

08/16/2026

Polish Veterans of WWII interviews.

In the footstep of his previous military training, Biernacik was assigned to the Polish artillery being formed in Scotland. In 1942, the 1st Polish Armoured Division was born and placed under the experienced and able General Maczek. Stanley became the reconnaissance officer for the 2nd Motorized Artillery Regiment. The regiments 25 pounder guns were towed by Morris ANT trucks.

During the 1944 Normandy invasion, his job was to help navigate a way for the equipment to get where it was needed in a combat environment. As often happens in combat, maps are incorrect and roads that should be there are suddenly impassable due to bombardment. Lt. Biernacik often found himself in hostile territory in merely a jeep or even on a motorcycle while scouting roads for the artillery to pass.

08/01/2026

On August 1st, 1944, the Warsaw Rising began.

07/30/2026

https://www.cbsnews.com/video/these-united-states-revolutionary-war-hero-thaddeus-kosciuszko/

Polish-born Thaddeus Kosciuszko (1746-1817) was a military engineer who became key to Gen. George Washington's success against the British. Mo Rocca looks at the immigrant hero whose contributions to the Revolutionary War helped secure independence for America.

07/15/2026

2nd Polish Corps 🇵🇱

A memorial to Wojtek, the famed World War II "soldier bear" who accompanied Polish troops during the war, will be erected in central Warsaw following a decision by city councillors.

07/09/2026

On July 9, 1945, the last German forces in Poland surrendered, marking the end of World War II on Polish territory.
After nearly six years of brutal occupation, terror, and unimaginable suffering, this day symbolized the long-awaited return of peace. Poles honored the heroes who fought and sacrificed for freedom and began the difficult journey of rebuilding their nation.

06/29/2026

Polish 2nd Corps 🇵🇱

Wladyslaw Anders led the Polish II Corps through hard fighting in Italy that restored Polish pride and helped defeat the Third Reich.

05/22/2026

Honor and remember those who have fallen. 🇺🇸 🇵🇱

Visit the Buffalo Naval Park this Memorial Day weekend to remember and honor those who fought for our freedom and made the ultimate sacrifice.

For the seventh year in a row, 7,300 flags will blanket the grounds of the Naval Park to represent the average number of United States Veterans who have lost their battle with PTSD per year, an average of 22 people per day. From May 23-25, walk or drive by the Naval Park to see the installation, made possible by The Battle Within Foundation.

We will be hosting programs and ceremonies all weekend that are free and open to the public, including a special screening of The Fighting Sullivans on Sunday, May 24.

View the full schedule online at https://buffalonavalpark.org/memorial-day-weekend-at-the-buffalo-naval-park/

05/06/2026

The Polish soldier fights for the freedom of all nations, but dies only for Poland. 🇵🇱

General Stanisław Maczek and the Black Devils Long war of the Polish 1st Armoured Division Generał Stanisław Maczek has gone down in history as a brilliant army general. The Germans called his army the Black Devils. He himself often said that „the Polish soldier fights for the freedom of all na...