British Garrison Memorial Poznan by Rev’d Paul Collings
Sunday Afternoon 10th September 1988
Joshua 4:1-3 When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, “Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from right where the priests are standing, and carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight.”
Before I move on to Sunday afternoon’s activity, I need to briefly paint a picture of Poland’s Post War situation. The history of Poland from 1945 to 1989 spans the period of communist rule imposed over Poland after the end of World War II. These years, while featuring general industrialisation, urbanisation and many improvements in the standard of living, were marred by early Stalinist repressions, social unrest, political strife and severe economic difficulties. Added to this it was almost impossible for Poles to travel beyond their borders and foreigners, like us, travelling in, required special visas.
This travel restriction was highlighted as after lunch we set off across the city towards the Citadel Park (Park Cytadela) that contained a number of World War Cemeteries including the British Garrison Memorial where 174 from the Great War and 283 servicemen from the 2nd World War were laid to rest. The reason for our visit was to lay poppy wreaths at the graves of loved ones on behalf of families who were never afforded the opportunity to do this in person.
The solemnity of the moment was marked as the band marched in single file up the steps of park to the wide avenue that ran across the park. At the top of the steps, formed into marching order the band made its way to the white Portland Stone Cross of Sacrifice typical of British War graves across Europe. The significance of this particular cemetery is that it contained the bodies of those involved in the mass escape from Stalag Luft 3, Sagan (now Zagan), in March 1944, immortalised in the film, “the Great Escape.”
A short but poignant wreath laying service of remembrance including last post and the playing of Sunset and both British and Polish national anthems was held, with my father, a veteran of Dunkirk, proudly reciting Binyon’s words, “they shall not grow old”. Before marching back to the coach we quietly wandered around the Cemetery. For this then 39 year old who had never known the horrors of war, I was stuck by the number of different nationalities who lay at rest at Citadel Park; Polish, Czechoslovak, Hungarian, Soviet and even Black stoned headstones complete with Swastikas. As I viewed this scene I could not help but think that here lie young men, perhaps half my age, once divided in life, now united in death.
George Santayana a philosopher, essayist, poet and novelist wrote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
Every year since that visit I have recalled that moment and willed in my heart that John Oxenham’s words to become a reality.
Peace in our time, O Lord,
To all the peoples—peace!
Peace surely based upon thy will
And built in righteousness.
Thy power alone can break
The fetters that enchain
The sorely stricken soul of life,
And make it live again.
Too long mistrust and fear
Have held our souls in thrall;
Sweep through the earth, keen Breath of Heaven,
And sound a nobler call!
Come, as thou didst of old,
In love so great that men
Shall cast aside all other gods
And turn to thee again.
O shall we never learn
The truth all time has taught,
That without God as architect
Our building comes to naught?
Lord, help us, and inspire
Our hearts and lives that we
May build, with all thy wondrous gifts,
A Kingdom meet for thee.
Peace in our time, O Lord,
To all the peoples-peace!
Peace that shall build a glad new world,
And make for life’s increase.
O, living Christ, who still
Dost all our burdens share,
Come now and dwell within the hearts
Of all men everywhere.
Tomorrow - Worship with Posnan’s Methodist
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