The Monument of Gratitude to the Heroes of the Red Army stood where the Monument to the 100th Anniversary of Regaining Independence has stood since 2018. It was a square by what is now Bankowa Street. On May 3, 1945, a concrete obelisk topped with a star and dedicated to the memory of the Heroes of the Red Army was erected here. Ceremonial candles were lit and guards were stationed in front of the obelisk. The same happened in February 1961, when Polish and Soviet soldiers gathered for a ceremony beneath the monument, an honor guard was posted, and delegations arrived with floral arrangements to commemorate USSR soldiers who had fallen during World War II. Large vats of burning oil stood in front of the monument.
The soldiers stood in orderly rows, while the square was decorated with white-and-red flags and red flags bearing the hammer, sickle and star. The exceptional ceremony attracted numerous onlookers: older and younger residents of Bolesławiec. Among them was Bogusia, who was not yet eight. We do not know how the accident happened. The child, onto whom a vat of burning liquid overturned, fell to the ground. Shockingly, it is said that none of the soldiers rushed to the girl’s aid. It is possible that the servicemen did not see the child, who either knocked the ceremonial candle over onto herself or was accidentally pushed by someone, causing the unstable vessel to tip and set the child’s clothing alight. Chance observers rushed to help the girl, who was on fire.
The girl was taken to hospital, but the doctors were unable to save her. The burns were too extensive. Many residents and children attended the funeral, which took place at the parish church. Everyone came to bid farewell to Bogusia, who had died tragically. She was buried in a grave where Bogusia’s mother, who had died earlier, had previously lain. That grave no longer exists today.
The Monument of Gratitude to the Heroes of the Red Army was dismantled in 1977, and a new monument was erected in its place that same year. Its sides featured images of soldiers carrying weapons and the inscription: “To the Heroes of the Soviet Army, as a token of gratitude—the people of the city of Bolesławiec.”
In 1993, the monument was transformed into a “milestone” bearing copper plaques showing distances to European capitals and Bolesławiec’s partner cities. Another change came with a 2018 resolution of the city council to transform the existing structure into the Monument to the 100th Anniversary of Poland Regaining Independence.
Today, hardly anyone remembers little Bogusia and her tragic death. Joanna Sawicka described the child’s story in her 2011 publication, “Bolesławiec Stories from a Time of Change.”
