1st (NI) Battalion Army Cadets Visit Poland

After many months of planning and meetings we were finally on our way to Poland!

The Cadets and adult volunteers had undertaken a learning project over the past year around the history of World War Two Poland the Polish people and the Polish Pilots based in Northern Ireland called For Your Freedom and Ours.

This was sponsored and funded by Radius housing under the banner of Shared housing in Ballymena and delivered by our Facilitator Maciek.

After arriving at Gdansk airport receiving our Red Hoodies to identify our group and settling into our accommodation overlooking the old city we had an early breakfast and travelled by foot to Centrum Naukowo-Biznesowe Feniks S.C, a Polish Private Cadet School, where ‘normal’ education is mixed with military education to such a high standard, and the uptake to the Polish Army is c40%. The school complex built by Napoleon Bonaparte and also Occupied by the Germans in WW2 had a very long history and also a very historic site as one of the few buildings in the city to have survived the absolute destruction during World War Two. (This was the site of German artillery that destroyed the city of Gdansk)The Cadets had clearly put so much effort into preparing for our visit, and we were so impressed with what they do, and how they do it. It would be wonderful if we could extend the welcome for them to NI!

We followed this with a guided tour around old town Gdansk, where we learnt so much about what happened the city during the war, and how it was rebuilt in pre-war style after destruction by the occupying German forces. On Day two our group embarked on a journey through the years at the Second World War Museum in Gdansk. We delved deep into the story of the war, uncovering not just the geopolitical intricacies, but also the raw human experiences that shaped and were shaped by this monumental era.

Following this we turned to the water for a trip to Westerplatte, an incredibly significant landmark where WW2 started in Poland on 1st Sept 1939. On the way we got to see a Polish Naval vessel, built in 2015 in the very shipyard it currently sits. The vessel was commissioned in 2017. Day three we concluded our trip with a visit to Stutthof Concentration Camp near Gdansk, where during the war the only exit out was via the chimney … Walking through these grounds, we were faced with the harsh realities and unimaginable atrocities of the Second World War. Walking through the Death Gate it was immediately noticeable that the air felt more icy, and although the area is now surrounded by forest, there was no sound of birds or wildlife. A very moving experience, which will undoubtedly have left a mark on each of us.

During our visit we had the opportunity to interact with many Polish citizens and learn about many aspects of Polish history and culture. What an absolute privilege for us all to have been included in this experience with special thanks to Lisa Mooney from Radius and our Facilitator Maciek Bator and of course each of our hard working adult volunteers, Gdansk 2024 who help make trips like these possible for our cadets.

Major John Frederick Read, A C (Community Engagement)
1st (Northern Ireland) Battalion ACF