The Polish Institute and Sikorski MuseumThe Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum
About the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum
Militaria
Maps, Paintings and Engravings
Militaria
This part of the collection contains over 10,000 items. There are at present seventy nine regimental colours, pennons and banners of historical value. Pride of place, however, is given to one particular flag: its red and white cloth was hastily sewn together and hoisted above the ruins of Monte Cassino after the Second Polish Corps took the monastery in 1944. Among the regimental colours, there is one which was embroidered in occupied Poland, by the women of Warsaw, dedicated to the Polish Parachute Brigade which took part in the battle of Arnhem. The colour was smuggled out of Poland by clandestine couriers of the resistance movement, known as the Home Army (Armia Krajowa). The collection also comprises a unique range of pre-war regimental badges and a selection of Polish uniforms in use by the three armed services prior and during the Second World War.
There are showcases with impressive arrays of weapons: from cavalry sabres and infantry rifles to ceremonial swords and daggers. Other items on display include unique photographs, china and cutlery from the mess-rooms of eminent pre-war regiments, diplomas of merit and military sports trophies, decorations and medals - in short, the memorabilia not only of the insurrections of the 19th century, the Polish-Soviet War of 1920 and the battlefronts of the Second World War, but also of military life in more peaceful times.
Another section deals with militaria from earlier periods of Polish history. The backbone of this collection is formed by exhibits on loan from the Krasinski family. From the Napoleonic period there is a fine selection of czapkas, the characteristic four cornered head gear worn by the Polish Lancers of that period, and gold braided horse trappings used by a member of the Krasinski family during the ill-fated campaign of 1812. Going back yet further, there is a collection of armour worn by heavy cavalry units of the 17th century.