“Tomorrow, we will unite under the white and red flag in awe, thanking Polish soldiers for guarding our eastern border and for defending, when necessary, Poland's borders with great determination,” the Prime Minister said, encouraging participation in the celebration.

“Strong White and Red” slogan for this year's Armed Forces Day

The main ceremonies took place at Marshall Józef Piłsudski Square in Warsaw. The celebration was attended by President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. The programme of the ceremony could not miss the reading of the Memorial Appeal, the ceremonial guard briefing and the laying of a wreath from the Nation on the slab of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

“Thank you for your sacrificial service to Poland. You are first-class professionals, it is thanks to you that we feel safe,” stressed the head of government, extending his wishes to soldiers on their day of celebration.

Another anniversary of the victory over the Bolsheviks – Armed Forces Day - was held under the slogan “Strong White and Red”. It was not only an opportunity to celebrate, but also to promote the Polish military. Seventy military picnics were organised across Poland.

This year, 200 units of Polish and foreign military equipment and 92 aircraft, assisted by 2,000 soldiers, were presented at the parade. Soldiers from all types of the Polish Armed Forces presented state-of-the-art equipment of Polish, Korean and American manufacture, which has been purchased in recent years. In addition to the subdivisions of the Polish Armed Forces, allies also marched in the land parade.

The Battle of Warsaw was decisive for Poland's independence

15 August is Armed Forces Day in commemoration of the victorious Battle of Warsaw, fought on 12-15 August 1920 during the Polish-Bolshevik war. These events were decisive for Poland's preservation of its independence and thwarted plans to spread the Bolshevik Revolution to Western Europe. The battle, often referred to as the “Miracle on the Vistula”, was ranked 18th on the list of world landmark battles.

“I am convinced that not only would there not have been an independent Poland, but many other Central European countries would not have existed either, had it not been for this victory,” said the Prime Minister, pointing to the unity that characterised the Polish nation in August 1920.

A key role was played by the Polish Armed Forces’ manoeuvre, carried out according to the plan of Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Armed Forces Józef Piłsudski. On 15 August 1920, at night, the first units of the 21st Mountain Division began crossing the Wieprz River near Kock. The counter-offensive led to the driving back of the Red Army troops on the outskirts of Warsaw. As a result of the battle, approximately 4,500 soldiers were killed on the Polish side, 22,000 were wounded and 10,000 missing.