Hello Everyone,
Feliks Konarski, aka "Ref-Ren", born January 9, 1907 in Kiev, MCC Nr: ? - the author of the lyrics to the song "Czerwone maki na Monte Cassino" ("Red poppies on Monte Cassino"), was also a first-league footballer of Polonia Warsaw (1924–1929) were he palyed three matches. Perhaps Feliks Konarski was not famous as a footballer for his effective goals but he was known as a poet, singer, composer, pianist, actor and director. In 1941 he joined the Anders' Army with which on April 1, 1942 he went through Persia, Iraq, Palestine and Egypt to Italy. During this journey he created the "Polska Parada" Theater. In the 2nd Corps he belonged to the Polish Soldier Theater stationed in Campobasso near Monte Cassino. On the night of May 17-18, 1944 he wrote the words of a song that became a symbol of Polish bravery and sacrifice during the Battle of Monte Cassino.
Feliks Konarski in 2nd Corps uniform with the dog Niente
After the war he never returned to Poland. Konarski with his wife settled in London and then in 1965 they moved permanently to Chicago. He died on September 12, 1991 in Chicago - he was buried in the military headquarters of Maryhill Catholic Cemetery in Niles next to his colleagues who also fought for Monte Cassino.
A group of actors from Czołówka Rewiowa during the performance, Elżbieta Niewiadomska (in the center) and Feliks Konarski (Ref-Ren) (on the right).
One of the performances of "Ref-Ren" and his wife during the war
This is how Feliks Konarski sang:
Feliks Konarski - Ref Ren - Piosenka o utęsknionej Polsce - YouTube
Alfred Longin Schütz, born July 2, 1910 in Tarnopol, MCC Nr: ? - Polish composer and pianist of Jewish origin, creator of melodies for "Czerwone maki na Monte Cassino". In December 1941 he joined the Anders' Army which were organizing in Buzułuk. He was assigned to the propaganda department at the Anders' Army Staff. Together with Henryk Wars he led the 40-person orchestra accompanying the Polish Army on the battle route from Teheran to Monte Cassino. The song "Czerwone maki na Monte Cassino" was written on the night of May 17-18, 1944 a few hours before the conquest of the monastery. In the nearby Campobasso where the artists performed for the 23rd Transport Company Feliks Konarski, inspired by the fights waged nearby, wrote the text and woke Alfred Schütz up. The composer immediately composed a melody for it.
Alfred Schutz post war photograph
After the war he moved to Brazil where he worked in the revues of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro and composed. In 1961 he settled down in Munich he collaborated with the Polish Broadcasting Station of Radio Free Europe for the next 25 years. He died on October 21, 1999 in Munich and was buried there in the Eastern Cemetery at St. Martin in headquarters 166.
Alfred Schütz grave in Munich
Copy of the first edition of the notes of the song "Czerwone maki na Monte Cassino", 1944, (original at the General Władysław Sikorski Museum in London)
Feliks Konarski pseudonym "Ref-Ren" performing to the 2nd Corps together with Alfred Schutz on the piano. These two gentlemen, soldiers of the 2nd Polish Corps, wrote "Czerwone Maki na Monte Cassino".
Regards
Konrad
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