Between 7th and 9th July we took part in second International Rally of Fortifications and
Deserted Buildings Fans. It took place in Fortified Group Cegielnia in Wałcz where, thanks to our
friend who happens to be a tenant of the area, we could put up our campsite. The event was
extraordinary thanks to participants coming from all over Poland and other countries, wonderful
weather and the beauty of surrounding area.
The first day passed with participants arriving till late night hours. Those who came earlier
could visit the surrounding area which prides itself on Fortified Group Cegielnia which towers
over the town from its south-east side. Taking part in the Rally enabled us to access the insides
of the building without any limitations. Inside there is an exhibition connected with WWII history
of the town and the area created by local history fans who present costumes from those times.
The exhibition deals mostly with fortifications and fights of Wał Pomorski (Pomorski Terrace).
The official opening of the Rally was at 8 pm. It was a mere formality as entering the area meant
participating in the Rally. Everyone got a badge with their nickname so that they could make
new friends more easily and there were many of them made. Getting to know one another and
sitting up by the camp fire till early morning could not cool everybody down after hot summer
day. This is why many fans found their cooling in the nearby lake which soon turned out to be
everybody s favourite spot. This gathering point played an important role at night as well when
the fans were a competition for water birds sleeping in brake. There were debates, discussions,
exchanging opinions and experiences these matters kept us all awake till dawn...
Next day, on Saturday, we tried to find rest in physical activities. We reconnoitred the area
with two focal points, namely military barracks where there are well preserved German bunkers
and unique observation tower which is built into barracks gate building; and Strzalina town
where on Wisielcza Mountain there is the biggest in Wał Pomorski underground complex included
in fortified group. Its communication arteries are made up of corridors 800 m long.
During those two field trips we were accompanied by TVP Szczecin (local TV channel) which was
just preparing a new part of the series Misja Gryf . It will be shortly shown on Polish television.
After coming back to the campsite we spent a nice evening focused around two aspects, that is
camping and football as that day there was a match for the third place in International Football
Championships. Thanks to football we made some local entrepreneur happy as together with
concrete business he also runs a pub built at the place of one of the bunkers.
Sunday was unfortunately the last day of the Rally. Before noon we spent time taking swims
in the lake, discussing the return way, exchanging addresses, saying farewell to people and
places such as Fortified Group Marianowo. Later, some of the motorised fans decided to do
some more sightseeing in the area and visit other interesting places in Pommerenstellung.
Accompanied by the scorching sun we reached another attraction i.e. Śmiadowska Mountain
near Łączno. Inside the mountain there is a fortified group consisting of 250 m of corridors.
Unfortunately, it is seriously destroyed but still available. This part of our expedition was
completed with group pictures commemorating our visit. Then we moved towards Borne
Sulinowo. On the way we visited old post-Soviet cemetery. In Borne Sulinowo we cleaned off
explorers dust while swimming in local lake and then we set off for Wałcz. It was the final point
of the Rally. There we said last farewells and promised solemnly we are going to meet again
soon.
I would not like to act as a spokesperson of the Rally participants but speaking on my own
behalf I can say it was a successful event. Many attractions which participants could choose from
to match their interests and likes guaranteed great fun together with educational values and mind
broadening.
Marcin Mościcki
translated by jaszka