Poland

Five Polish soldiers were killed on 21st December 2011 in Ghazni province when an insurgent bomb was detonated beside their patrol. The soldiers, serving with the 20th Mechanized Brigade of Bartoszyce were specialists from a provincial reconstruction team. They were travelling in an armored vehicle when the bomb exploded.

They were immediately evacuated by helicopter to a military field hospital.

Polish spokesman Jacek Sonta said in Warsaw that the soldiers were in a convoy headed to Rawza, in eastern Ghazni province, when it struck the bomb.


22-year-old Polish Army Sergeant Krystian W Banach was one of five Polish soldiers killed in action on 21st December 2011 when his vehicle was hit by a road bomb. He was in a joint Polish American convoy heading for Rawza, eastern Ghazni, when the attack happened.

He served with the 20 Mechanised Brigade Bartoszycka and had been in the Polish Army since 2008. This was his first combat mission. Sgt Banach was posthumously promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

The other soldiers killed were named as: Marek Tomala, Marcin Szczurowski, Lukasz Krawiec and Piotr Ciesielski, all members of the 20th Mechanised Brigade.



25-year-old Polish Army Sergeant Marek Tomala was one of five Polish soldiers killed in action on 21st December 2011 when his vehicle was hit by a road bomb. He was in a joint Polish American convoy heading for Rawza, eastern Ghazni, when the attack happened.

He served with the 20 Mechanised Brigade Bartoszycka and had been in the Polish Army since 2006. This was his third combat deployment. Sgt Tomala, who leaves behind his wife and daughter, was posthumously promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

The other soldiers killed were named as: Krystian Banach, Marcin Szczurowski, Lukasz Krawiec and Piotr Ciesielski, all members of the 20th Mechanised Brigade.



30-year-old Polish Army Sergeant Marcin Szczurowski, was one of five Polish soldiers killed in action on 21st December 2011 when his vehicle was hit by a road bomb. He was in a joint Polish American convoy heading for Rawza, eastern Ghazni, when the attack happened.

He served with the 20 Mechanised Brigade Bartoszycka and had been in the Polish Army since 2003. This was his first overseas combat deployment.

Sgt Szczurowski, who leaves behind his wife and two daughters, was posthumously promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

The other soldiers killed were named as: Krystian Banach, Marek Tomala, Lukasz Krawiec and Piotr Ciesielski, all members of the 20th Mechanised Brigade.



30-year-old Polish Army Sergeant Lukasz Krawiec, was one of five Polish soldiers killed in action on 21st December 2011 when his vehicle was hit by a road bomb. He was in a joint Polish American convoy heading for Rawza, eastern Ghazni, when the attack happened.

He served with the 20 Mechanised Brigade Bartoszycka and had been in the Polish Army since 2007. This was his second overseas combat deployment.

Sgt Szczurowski, a bachelor, was posthumously promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

The other soldiers killed were named as: Krystian Banach, Marek Tomala, Marcin Szczurowski and Piotr Ciesielski, all members of the 20th Mechanised Brigade.


33-year-old Polish Army Jr Ensign (1st Warrant Officer) Piotr Ciesielski, was one of five Polish soldiers killed in action on 21st December 2011 when his vehicle was hit by a road bomb. He was in a joint Polish American convoy heading for Rawza, eastern Ghazni, when the attack happened.

He served with the 20 Mechanised Brigade Bartoszycka and had been in the Polish Army since 2005. This was his first overseas combat deployment.

WO Ciesielski, who leaves his wife and two daughters, was posthumously promoted to the rank of Junior Ensign (1st Warrant Officer).

The other soldiers killed were named as: Krystian Banach, Marek Tomala, Marcin Szczurowski and Lukasz Krawiec, all members of the 20th Mechanised Brigade.