Programme:
-0900- 1000 Registration/Coffee
-1000-1030 Welcome by Dr Marek Stella-Sawicki MBE Chairman of PHS
-1030-1130 Session 1 Overview of 1st Polish Armoured Division Operations September 1944 –May 1945, Dr Andrzej Suchcitz, Keeper of Archives, Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum
-1130-1230 Session 2 The Military Engineering Challenges of Crossing Water Obstacles –Major General John Drewienkiewicz (Retd)
-1230-1330 Lunch
-1330-1430 Session 3 When Things Go Wrong: Crossing The Axel-Hulst Canal 16-19 September 1944 – Dr Paul Latawski, Emeritus Department of War Studies, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
– 14:30-1530 Session 4 Operation Plunder: 51st Highland Division in the Crossing of the Rhine24 March 1945 – Dr Christopher Mann, Department of War Studies, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
– 15:30-1630 Concluding Summary followed by Panel Discussion with Speakers – Q and A
In 1944, The Polish Armoured Division under General Maczek, were ready for action again. The Polish Armoured Division landed in France in July as part of the British Liberation Army. Field Marshal Montgomery, to whom General Maczek presented all his senior commanders, visited the Division on 5th August. Their attack near Caen and the heavy casualties sustained by the Division, marked the battles in Normandy. It culminated with the closure of the Falaise Gap. The German armies were confronted by Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, French and Polish Troops.
The Polish Armoured Division played the dominant role in this encounter. Acting on the direct orders of Montgomery it penetrated deeply behind the front lines and closed the last German escape route by occupying the dominating hills of Mont Ormel near Chambois.
For three days they were surrounded fighting on one side with the German 70,000 strong army groups, now physically closed in the pocket and on the other being attacked from behind by the Second SS Panzer Division attempting to open the road for those trapped in the pocket. They were cut off from all supplies of petrol and ammunition as neither Canadians nor Americans could reach their position. On the evening of 21st August, the 4th Canadian Armoured Division fought their way to Polish position whilst at Chambois another Polish combat unit liaised with Americans.
A few months later Montgomery, when decorating General Maczek and other soldiers of the Division, said: “In Normandy we closed the Germans into a bottle and your division was the cork of that bottle”.
A buffet lunch will be provided for registered participants. Don’t miss this inspiring event!
WHEN: Saturday, 18th October 2025, 9.00am – 16.30
WHERE: Polish Social and Cultural Association POSK, Sala Malinowa, 238-246 King Street, London, W5 0RF
TICKETS: £30.00 per person incl. buffet lunch and refreshments
Send your payment to: – PHS (UK), 65 The Manor Drive, Worcester Park, Surrey KT4 7L J
or email to: polishheritagesocietyuk@gmail.com
Cheque made out to: Polish Heritage Society (UK) or pay by bank transfer to Nat West, PHS UK A/C: Sort Code: 60-07-10. Account No: 41785754
