The ceremony began with a report to the commander of the 11th Armoured Cavalry Division, Major General Jarosław Mika, presented by the ceremony commander, Lieutenant Colonel Jarosław Radzimierski. The commander of the Black Division, accompanied by the outgoing and incoming commanders, then inspected the subunits of the 23rd Silesian Artillery Regiment.
The ceremony was attended by Colonel Sławomir Owczarek, representing the head of the Rocket Forces and Artillery Directorate of the General Command of the Armed Forces; commanders of the Black Division’s units; former heads of the Rocket Forces and Artillery of the Silesian Military District, led by Brigadier General (ret.) Antoni Skibiński; local government authorities; commanders of uniformed services and units of the Bolesławiec garrison; as well as former regiment soldiers, veterans, and directors of schools and partner workplaces.
After the reading of the Minister of National Defence’s decision appointing officers to new service positions, the division commander, Major General Jarosław Mika, addressed those gathered. “The period since 26 August 2011, when, following the unit’s reorganisation, Colonel Andrzej Lorenc assumed command of the 23rd Artillery Regiment, has passed very quickly. He always impressed me with his knowledge, experience and loyalty, both to his superiors and his subordinates. This is a very important quality, because one becomes a good commander by looking after one’s subordinates and their needs, while also carrying out the tasks assigned by senior officers,” General Mika said.
The commander of the Black Division then thanked the outgoing commander for the results achieved and training successes during his command of the unit. After outlining the service record of Lieutenant Colonel Paweł Świtalski, he wished the new commander success in leading the regiment.
In his farewell address, Colonel Lorenc thanked all the unit’s soldiers and employees for the work and effort they had put into carrying out their duties, emphasising the special role of superiors and the support of cooperating units and institutions, on which the unit could always rely. In particular, he thanked the artillery community and cooperating non-governmental organisations, honouring former head of the Rocket Forces and Artillery of the Silesian Military District, Brigadier General (ret.) Antoni Skibiński, and Bogdan Fiałkowski, vice-president of the Association of Former Soldiers of the 62nd Special Forces Company “Commando” Bogdan Fiałkowski, with commemorative gorgets.
Lieutenant Colonel Paweł Świtalski then spoke. The new commander of the Bolesławiec artillerymen referred to the inherited traditions, the achievements of previous commanders and teachers of the artillery profession, and assured those present that he would continue his predecessors’ work in his command:
Accepting the unit’s colours, a symbol of the traditions, achievements and bonds between generations of the regiment’s artillerymen, is a deeply moving experience for me. I realise that my subordinates and I face a period of intensive service and work in the coming years as we carry out our duties within the structures of the 11th Lubuska Armoured Cavalry Division. Drawing on the wisdom of previous commanders, subordinates and my own experience, I wish to carry out the tasks assigned to the regiment to a high standard, on time and in accordance with the orders of my superiors. I am convinced of the regiment’s strength, experience and potential, because as deputy commander I had many opportunities to witness the expertise, skills and value of the Bolesławiec artillerymen. For my part, I will do everything I can not to disappoint your trust, which I ask for today.
The ceremony concluded with a parade of the subunits accompanied by the Żagań Military Orchestra. In accordance with tradition, the outgoing and incoming commanders, together with the division commander, laid a wreath beneath a plaque commemorating the former artillery units of the Bolesławiec garrison.
After Colonel Lorenc made a commemorative entry in the Unit Chronicle in the Tradition Hall, the outgoing and incoming commanders received good wishes from the many guests, colleagues and soldiers who had gathered. In accordance with tradition, the officers honoured the departing commander with a commemorative officer’s sabre.
The ceremony transferring command of the regiment, held shortly before Christmas, provided a unique opportunity to meet around a Christmas Eve table. After the regiment’s chaplain, Captain Reverend Tomasz Koczy, read an excerpt from Scripture and Dean Andrzej Jarosiewicz blessed the dishes, the guests and soldiers shared the Christmas wafer and exchanged Christmas and New Year wishes.
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On 1 January 2015, Colonel Andrzej Lorenc will assume the duties of head of the Rocket Forces and Artillery of the 12th Mechanised Division.
Captain Remigiusz Kwieciński/ii