In the Bolesławiec garrison, where artillerymen have been stationed for several decades, the celebrations of “Artillery Barbara’s Day” are an important event both for the military community and the local population.
The ceremony began with Holy Mass at the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Bolesławiec. The Eucharist, offered for the artillerymen—with a prayer for Saint Barbara’s constant protection over their service—was celebrated by the rector of the Bolesławiec Marian Basilica, Rev. Prelate Dr. Andrzej Jarosiewicz, parish priest Rev. Lt. Col. (ret.) Wojciech Mroszczak, and chaplain of the 23rd Artillery Regiment Rev. Andrzej Bawer.
At the same time, as part of the open barracks day, the unit hosted school students, who had the opportunity to learn about military equipment and the traditions passed down by artillerymen.
The main part of the celebrations was the military assembly, whose importance was underscored by the participation of the head of the Rocket and Artillery Forces of the 11th Armoured Cavalry Division, Col. Jacek Kiliński, as well as the heads of the Rocket and Artillery Forces and commanders of artillery battalions from the “Black Division” units.
At the invitation of the regiment commander, the ceremony was attended by former heads of the Rocket and Artillery Forces, led by Brig. Gen. (ret.) Antoni Skibiński, representatives of artillery communities, clubs and associations, commanders of former artillery units stationed in the Bolesławiec garrison, Bolesławiec administrative authorities, and commanders of garrison institutions.
After the decisions of superiors and ceremonial orders had been read out, the division’s head of the Rocket and Artillery Forces, Col. Jacek Kiliński, and the commander of the 23rd Artillery Regiment, Col. Grzegorz Potrzuski, presented service medals and decorations, promotion documents for the next military ranks, and letters of commendation to artillerymen of the 11th Armoured Cavalry Division units who had been recognized by the division commander for achieving excellent results in their service.
Col. Potrzuski:
Rocket and Artillery Forces Day, celebrated on Saint Barbara’s Day, expresses respect for the centuries-old tradition, history and achievements of Our special branch of the armed forces.
“Artillery, by virtue of the power of its fire, plays an enormous role in modern combat and to a great extent determines victory.”
Quoting words from the 1936 Artillery Training Manual, the commander of the Bolesławiec artillerymen emphasized the present-day firepower of artillery subunits, as well as the speed and precision of their operations. In his speech, he also recalled the regiment’s most important tasks carried out this year and stressed the importance of tradition in the artillerymen’s daily service.
In conclusion, he thanked the soldiers and employees of the Ministry of National Defence of the 23rd Artillery Regiment for their commitment and the effort put into their daily service.
The head of the Rocket and Artillery Forces of the 11th Armoured Cavalry Division, Colonel Jacek Kiliński, on behalf of the “Black Division” commander and himself, congratulated those decorated and promoted, thanked them for the effort invested in their daily service and for the professionalism that distinguishes the artillerymen and rocket troops:
Service in the Rocket and Artillery Forces is a difficult profession requiring dedication. It is a privilege, a great honour and a source of pride, especially when the effort and daily hard work are recognized by superiors and earn the appreciation of subordinates. Today, you can be proud of your achievements and the professionalism you have demonstrated.
Representatives of the municipal and county authorities of Bolesławiec also addressed the soldiers with many warm words and good wishes.
Later in the assembly, soldiers of the 3rd Rocket Artillery Battalion of the 23rd Artillery Regiment and American soldiers from Bravo Company stationed in the Bolesławiec barracks demonstrated hand-to-hand combat skills. The dynamic demonstration, prepared by self-defence and hand-to-hand combat instructor Senior Private Mateusz Gawura, included classical karate techniques and elements of other martial arts combined into an effective real-combat system.
The military assembly concluded with a parade of subunits, after which delegations from the Black Division and artillery communities laid flowers beneath memorial plaques dedicated to artillery units that had been stationed in the Bolesławiec garrison, as well as to fallen and deceased artillerymen.