There is a popular opinion on social media that Breda is the most Polish-friendly town in the whole Netherlands. Indeed, after the last weekend, we can confirm and agree with this opinion. The town has just celebrated 75th anniversary of the liberation by the General Maczek 1st Armoured Polish Division. Veterans, who fought to free from German occupation 75 years ago, were invited to join a 2-day celebration organised by the town. Their brave determination and motivation was to bring freedom to the whole of Europe including their beloved Poland.

“The battle route of the 1st Armoured Polish Division, in fact, began in September 1939 and was supposed to lead them to a free homeland. But they were fully aware that along the way they had to restore the world order devastated in September 1939 by the National Socialist German Third Reich. Hence their huge commitment to the liberation of France, Belgium, the Netherlands, which ended in May 1945 in Wilhelmshaven” – says Jan Józef Kasprzyk, the Head of the Office for War Veterans and Victims of Oppression. “We are talking about the military division that has not lost a single battle. Europe owes its freedom to the blood of Polish soldiers” – he added.

The 1st Armoured Polish Division was established on 25th February 1942 by the Commander in Chief, General Wladyslaw Sikorski order. Victorious march of the Division led by General Maczek started in northern France at the beginning of August 1944 and continued in Belgium and the Netherlands until they reached the huge base of German Navy in Wilhelmshaven in April 1945. All these battles were successful and victorious, undoubtedly due to General Maczek’s military talents and expertise, his great leadership abilities but also due to his soldier’s commitment and bravery. They were fighting „for our and your freedom” with hope of bringing it to whole Europe including Poland. They were convinced that they would return to a free homeland. However, it was not meant to be.

After Jalta betrayal, where Soviets were granted control over Poland, the majority of General Maczek soldiers decided to stay in Britain. British Government, however, not only refused to pay Maczek’s military benefits suitable for his rank but denied him even basic military pension. In the meantime, Poland new ‘authorities’ under Soviet influence deprived him of his Polish citizenship. To make ends meet, he took many odd jobs, including bartender post at the hotel ‘Learmouth’ in Edinburgh. He used to say: “A Polish soldier fight on all fronts for the freedom of all nations but gives his life only for his homeland. ” He passed away at the age of 102 in Edinburgh. In his last will he expressed wish to be buried among his  soldiers in Breda’s cemetery.

On the 3rd of November, 2018, the unveiling ceremony of his monument in Edinburgh took place. It was initiative of Lord Fraser who, on behalf of the British Government, participated in the General’s funeral in Breda in 1994. Lord Fraser did not live long enough to take part in the ceremony. Lady Fraser of Carmylie, his daughter, and 96-year-old Major Zbigniew Mieczkowski who served in General Maczek 1st Armoured Polish Division unveiled the monument. As a token of appreciation, the Division was honoured with Military Order of Wilhelm, the oldest and highest military decoration of the Kingdom of Netherland. Breda inhabitants successfully campaigned for granting honorary citizenship to the Division Commander.

The celebration was attended by 10 veterans, six came from Poland, and one each from Holland, Belgium, Great Britain and Canada. The oldest veteran was 100 years old Major Marian Slowinski. The Polish Ambassador to the Netherlands, Marcin Czeplak, the Mayor of Breda and Osterhout and son of General Maczek, Prof. Andrzej Maczek were all in attendance as well as representatives of the Polish Government and Polish women ex-prisoners of the German camp liberated by Division on April 12th 1945, representatives of Polish Army, students representing schools named after General Maczek, a group of Polish scouts of Breda and thousands of Breda inhabitants.

The Dutch in a special way cherish the memory of fallen liberators from the 1st Armoured Polish Division. The celebrations began at the cemetery in Osterhout. The children from local school unveiled the images of soldiers resting there, laid flower and lit candles in the most moving moments of the ceremony.

After that, a ride of veterans on historic military vehicles was organised in front of the town hall building and gathered inhabitants of Breda greeted Polish veterans with loud and warm applause. They decorated shop windows with posters reading: „Thank you Poles”.

https://twitter.com/Kombatanci/status/1188429702861656064

The climax of the whole ceremony was flowers laying on General Maczek’s grave.

After 75 years, the solemn homage was paid to the fallen soldiers of the 1st Armoured Polish Division and to their commander, General Stanislaw Maczek, who never lost any battle and to his soldiers who fought for ‘our and your freedom’.

Nel Badowska

Pictures: Dominika Cosic, Poolse Media, Twitter @Kombatanci, British Poles

Translation: Jolanta Pitera