FROM WARSAW TO ROME

di Martin Williams

​

Patrols were sent out daily with the first being led by Major Władysław Smrokowski on their first day. The fighting patrol moved through Castel del Giudice before crossing the Sangro River and upon approaching a farm they made contact with a German patrol, losing one man. On 20 December, the Poles learnt that two mountain-trained Jäger companies were planning to attack a British field artillery battery near Capracotta the following night. The Polish commandos deployed to thwart the Germans, but despite the efforts of the gunners firing on the San Angelo river crossing, the Germans pushed forwards and within the hour the Poles were surrounded. The commandos held their position and fought a nine-hour battle in the village - they got away with just three lightly wounded, but inflicted heavy casualties upon the Germans.

The Poles felt disadvantaged against the Jägers as the latter possessed skis and white winter camouflage smocks, equipment they did not have. After negotiations with the local mayor, several pairs of cross-country skis were procured. Two days later a patrol, dressed in the white flowing robes worn by local men at funerals, skied to a mountain plateau. There they encountered an Austrian light mortar detachment, and coming under fire, the Poles were forced to retreat, complete with several spectacular clifftop falls. Christmas Day was celebrated with half a pig and three sheep that had been acquired during a patrol the previous day, and despite having to patrol on Christmas Day itself, a hearty meal was thoroughly enjoyed by all. On New Year’s Eve the Poles moved to San Pietro Avellana, with heavy snowfalls the next day trapping them in the village - it was only after one of their number skied to Capracotta on 5 January that supplies were dropped to them by parachute. Five days later the Troop retired to a rest area.

• M. Williams, From Warsaw to Rome. General Anders' Exiled Polish Army in the Second World War, Pen & Sword, Barnsley 2017.

​​​​​​​