II Corps Memorial Tour
In the Footsteps of the Polish Soldiers in Italy

This private battlefield tour is dedicated to the story of the Polish II Corps in Italy – from the hard-fought heights of Monte Cassino to the liberation of Ancona, the advance through the Apennines and the Po Valley, and the final operations around Imola and Bologna. It is designed for small groups, families of veterans, and those who wish to honour the men who fought far from home under the Polish flag.

The Polish II Corps – A Journey from Captivity to Liberation

The Polish II Corps was officially formed in 1943 under the command of General Władysław Anders, but its roots go back to the tragedy of 1939. After the invasion of Poland, thousands of soldiers and civilians were deported to Soviet labour camps. When the political situation changed, many of them were released and, across long routes through Central Asia and the Middle East, they slowly regrouped into a fighting force.

From hunger, displacement and loss, these men and women rebuilt an army in exile. They trained in Iran, Iraq and Palestine and were finally sent to the Italian front as part of the British Eighth Army. At Monte Cassino in May 1944, Polish soldiers fought their way up the steep slopes under constant fire. On 18 May 1944, the Polish flag was raised over the ruins of the Abbey – a powerful symbol for a nation that was still occupied and whose future remained uncertain.

After Cassino, the II Corps continued to fight and liberate towns along the Adriatic coast, including Ancona, and pushed through the mountains and river lines towards the Po Valley and Bologna. For many veterans, Italy became a second home; some chose to stay, and their descendants are now part of the Italian–Polish communities that keep this memory alive. Walking these routes today is both a historical journey and a deeply emotional act of remembrance.

A Private, Historian-Led Tour for Small Groups

This itinerary is available all year round as a private tour for small groups. It can be adapted in length and focus depending on your time, interests, and any family connection with the Polish II Corps. As a professional historian, I use original war diaries, maps and archival documents to connect your visit with the real ground where Polish units fought.

Transport is by private Mercedes van (A/C, 9 seats), with an onboard screen to show wartime footage, veterans’ testimonies and “then and now” images while we move along the historic route. Every day combines panoramic views, key battle locations, cemeteries and memorials, with time for reflection and personal stories.

Suggested Itinerary – Polish II Corps Memorial Tour (7 Days)

Below is a suggested 7-day itinerary, which can be shortened or extended. The sequence follows the historical route of the Polish II Corps in Italy, and can be customised for families, small groups of friends, associations or educational groups.

Day 1 – Arrival & Introduction to the Italian Campaign

• Pick-up from Rome Fiumicino Airport or Rome city (hotel / station).
• Scenic transfer south towards Cassino, with optional stop at a WWII museum in Latina or along the former front line.
• Hotel check-in in the Cassino area.
• Evening talk: introduction to the Polish II Corps in the Italian Campaign, using original maps and documents.
• Overnight: Cassino area.

Day 2 – Monte Cassino Battlefield & Polish War Cemetery

• Full day on the Monte Cassino battlefield following Polish positions, observation points, and assault routes.
• Visit to the Polish War Cemetery, with time for personal reflection and commemoration.
• Stops may include: Piedimonte area, artillery and infantry sectors, former German strongpoints facing Polish troops.
• Use of wartime maps and “then & now” images to visualise the terrain as seen by the soldiers.
• Overnight: Cassino area.

Day 3 – From Cassino to the Adriatic – Towards Loreto & Ancona

• Departure from Cassino, travelling north-east along the route taken by the Polish II Corps after Cassino.
• Historical commentary on board as we cross the Apennines towards the Adriatic coast.
• Arrival in the area of Loreto and Ancona, key towns in the Polish liberation advance.
• First visits to selected sites around Loreto / Ancona (depending on arrival time).
• Overnight: Loreto / Ancona area.

Day 4 – Loreto, Ancona & Adriatic Liberation Sites

• Full day in the Loreto–Ancona area, visiting towns and positions liberated by the Polish II Corps.
• Possible stops include hilltop villages, coastal viewpoints and locations connected to the capture of Ancona.
• Time to explore local Polish memorials and lesser-known sites of remembrance.
• Overnight: Loreto / Ancona area.

Day 5 – Imola & Italian–Polish Communities

• Travel north along the line of advance, entering the wider Po Valley area.
• Visit to Imola and surroundings, where the memory of Polish soldiers is preserved by local communities.
• When possible, meetings with Italian–Polish remembrance groups and descendants of veterans who settled in Italy after the war.
• Overnight: Imola / Bologna area.

Day 6 – Bologna & Polish Heritage Sites

• Full day dedicated to Bologna and its Polish heritage: memorials, battle areas, and the Polish War Cemetery.
• Discussion of the final months of the Italian Campaign and the contribution of the Polish II Corps to the liberation of Northern Italy.
• Time for personal remembrance, photography and moments of silence at key sites.
• Overnight: Bologna area.

Day 7 – Return to Rome

• Transfer back towards Rome.
• Drop-off at Rome Fiumicino Airport, Rome Termini station or central hotel, depending on your onward plans.
• Option to add an extra night in Rome or near the airport for a more relaxed departure.

This itinerary is flexible and can be adapted in duration and focus. Shorter 3–4 day versions centred on Monte Cassino and the Adriatic front are also available.

⭐ Every step of this journey is guided by historian-mapped routes, original documents, and a deep respect for the Polish soldiers who never saw their homeland free again.

Honoring the Allied Veterans

Dr. Danila Bracaglia