Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arkadiusz Mularczyk paid a visit to the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum located in South Kensington. During his visit, he had the opportunity to observe the museum’s assortment of Polish artifacts and documents that were associated with the periods of war and communism. Furthermore, he met with the museum’s personnel.
The Museum became the depository for the colours and standards of many Polish military units, some dating back from before 1939 and others that belonged to the Polish Armed Forces during World War II. These, with other military flags and pennants, as well as the standards of post-war Polish organisations in the United Kingdom, contribute to form a a fascinating perspective on Polish history in the 20th Century. (pism.org.uk)
Ułan Podolski, late Józef Mularczyk in London
Ułan Podolski, late Józef Mularczyk suspended the flag on the picture below on the ruins of the Monte Cassino monastery on May 18, 1944.
Józef Mularczyk, who was a part of the Podolian Lancers unit, fought in the battle of Monte Cassino. At five o’clock, they embarked on a reconnaissance mission. When they reached the monastery, which was in ruins, the Germans had already retreated. They were the first to raise the Polish flag on Monte Cassino from their unit. Deputy FM Mularczyk recounted that he learned about this event in detail from his grandfather’s brother.
After the war, Józef Mularczyk’s life took a different turn, and he eventually ended up in London and later in the United States where he lived until his passing. Józef Mularczyk died a few years ago at the age of 92.