Katyn claims another 96 victims

16th April 2010

The Smolensk air disaster wiped out a huge chunk of Poland’s leadership, removing from the country some of its brightest and most influential talent.

Perhaps the institutions hit hardest were the country’s armed forces that suffered a catastrophic blow to high command.

Among those who died in the crash were General Franciszek Gagor, chief of the general staff of the Polish Army, General Tadeusz Buk, commander of Polish Land Forces, and both the heads of the air force and the navy.

“We, as soldiers, are used to death. It is not foreign to us, but it is very hard, especially for those closest to [those killed.],” said Colonel Sylwester Michalski, press spokesman for the Gener ...