British Recognition for Polish Contribution in Driel and Oosterbeek After all these Years

On the sidelines of the meeting between British Prime Minister Starmer and Polish Prime Minister Tusk on January 17, 2025, in Warsaw, an announcement appeared that went unnoticed by many: There is now no longer any disagreement regarding the role of the Polish forces in September 1944. After more than 80 years, British recognition has been granted.

The Meeting

The purpose of the meeting between the two prime ministers was to strengthen cooperation between the two countries, both economically and military terms. This latter, of course, in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine, which both countries support, as well as shared concerns about security in the Baltic Sea.

During the press conference, the British Prime Minister briefly recalled the role of Polish pilots in the Battle of Britain and the presence of the Polish government-in-exile in the UK. However, the contribution of the paratroopers was not mentioned at that point.
Later that same day, a joint statement was released on the Polish Prime Minister’s website, which included the following passage:

“Szefowie rządów omówili kwestie historyczne. Perspektywy Polski i Wielkiej Brytanii w stosunku do udziału 1. Samodzielnej Brygady Spadochronowej gen. Stanisława Sosabowskiego w Operacji Market-Garden stały się zbieżne.
„Generał Sosabowski doczekał się pełnego uznania. Cieszę się, że te różne interpretacje historyczne przestały już nas niepokoić”

podziękował brytyjskiemu Premierowi Donald Tusk.”

In English:
“The heads of government discussed historical issues. The perspectives of Poland and the United Kingdom regarding the participation of the 1st (Polish) Independent Parachute Brigade under the command of General Stanisław Sosabowski in Operation Market-Garden have converged.
‘General Sosabowski has received full recognition. I am glad that these different historical interpretations no longer disturb us,’ thanked Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk to British Prime Minister.”

On the 22nd, the British Embassy issued a statement:

“Last September, the British Embassy in The Hague commemorated the 80th anniversary of Operation Market Garden and the Battle of Arnhem in the Netherlands when British airborne forces, alongside our Allies, including the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade under the command of General Sosabowski, fought side by side for our freedom.
On this 80th anniversary, the UK government has conveyed to the Polish authorities and to the last surviving Polish veteran of the battle, Mr. Bolek Ostrowski, its gratitude, appreciation, and recognition of the courage and commitment shown by Polish forces in and around Driel and Oosterbeek in September 1944. This includes helping many British airborne forces withdraw across the river when it was clear that the Allies would be unable to take the Bridge at Arnhem.
We will forever be grateful.”

The Honour of the Poles restored

The difference in perspective mentioned in Tusk’s statement refers to the criticism by British generals Montgomery and Browning, who claimed that the lack of engagement by the Polish forces and the stubborn stance of their commander, General Sosabowski, were reasons why the bridge at Arnhem became “a bridge too far” during the September days of 1944.
This even led to the dismissal of General Sosabowski. Restoration of honour came from the Netherlands goverment in 2006. British veterans later honoured the general with a monument in Driel, but official recognition from the British government had been lacking until now.

Letter to the Last Surviving Veteran

Many people have fought for this restoration of honour, including the Driel-Poland Foundation and Cora and Arno Baltussen. The latter made an emotional plea during the September commemoration for the British Prime Minister not to wait too long with this recognition, as it should happen while the last surviving Polish veteran, Bolesław Ostrowski, was still alive.

This plea has clearly had an effect, and Ostrowski has now received a personal letter, as we learn from the foundation’s press release. This is a testament to the tireless efforts of the foundation, particularly its (now former) chairman, Arno Baltussen.

The unknown Polish Flying officer and sergeant on Ameland

On July 2 and 10, 1943, two bodies washed ashore at Hollum on Ameland, identified by their clothing as Polish. Unfortunately, besides their rank, nothing more is known about their identities. Their graves at the cemetery in Nes only bear the inscription “An Airman of the War 1939 – 1945,” their rank, and “Polish Forces.”

  • A Porucznik (a lieutenant)
  • A Sierżant (a sergeant)

Who are the two unknown Poles?

This naturally raises the question of who these two unknown Poles might be.

This excerpt from a presentation on the Amelander Historie website with a brief description of all the war graves present on the island gives a first clue.

Stefan Tomicki?

Both graves are also listed on the website polishwargraves.nl (now managed by the Oorlogsgraven Stichting), which has been a significant source for our website. The site suggests that the Porucznik (lieutenant) who washed ashore on July 2 might be Stefan Tomicki. He went missing after the crash of the Wellington bomber with registration number HE148, BH-T, from the 300 Squadron Ziemi Mazowieckiej. This crash occurred on the night of April 9, 1943. All six crew members were killed. Only two were identified: navigator Jan Rudek and gunner Stanisław Stępień. They washed ashore at the beaches of Castricum and Egmond aan Zee the day after the crash. Both are buried in the general cemetery in Bergen.

Given the discrepancy in the location where the body was found, the fact that it was almost three months later, and that Tomicki held the rank of podporucznik rather than porucznik, the above assumption should certainly be treated with caution.

For the grave of the sergeant, polishwargraves.nl provides no further information.

Other possibilities?

Our site lists several airmen who went missing in the period before the bodies were found. In addition to Tomicki, three other crashes result in Poles missing in the period before early July 1943. We start with the most likely candidate.

On May 12, Halifax II with serial number DT627 and squadron code NF-P from the 138 ‘special duties’ squadron crashed in the Wadden Sea off the coast of Sint Jacobiparochie (according to polishwargraves). Their mission was to drop agents in the Netherlands. The loss register states that of the seven-member crew, four washed ashore on the Dutch coast, with the dates on which they washed ashore:

Three are still missing:

We intentionally mention the ranks in Polish so the correspondence with the ranks on the graves stands out. Given the ranks of the missing and the timing and location of the bodies washing ashore, these could be possible candidates.

The question then arises as to why these two could not be identified when the other crew members were. Unfortunately, the description of the discovery does not mention the condition of the bodies, which would provide clarity on this matter, but it is worth investigating.

Finally, we see on the Amelander Historie website that a 13th body washed ashore and is listed as a member of the British Air Force. Could this be the third crew member, but his uniform too damaged to be identified as “Polish”?

Other possibilities?

In addition to the option described above, on May 13, an aircraft from the 300 Squadron disappeared over the Zuiderzee east of Volendam (5 missing). Given the presence of the ‘Aflsuitdijk’ this option is not very likely. Perhaps an expert can indicate whether it was still possible that the bodies would end up on the mudflats and thus on Ameland when the water flows from the IJsselmeer into the Waddenzee.

On June 22, another bomber from the 300 Squadron disappeared 60 kilometers off the coast of IJmuiden, resulting in four missing (by the way, none of them were a porucznik). Here the currents in the Northsee should be taken into account to estimate if this is a possibility.

Can we still solve the mystery?

The question is, of course, whether after all these years the mystery can still be solved. Are there perhaps any reports about the discovery on Ameland that provide more information about the condition of the bodies? Could someone with knowledge of the currents in the North Sea shed light on the hypothesis involving Stefan Tomicki? Or could someone with knowledge of the Wadden Sea speak to the locations where the bodies from the May 12 crash were found in relation to the location near Hollum? For now, they remain an unknown lieutenant and sergeant in Nes, Ameland.

Photos of the gravestones by Klaas Graansma

The life of Edward Mżyczek

On December 23, 1944, the Polish corporal Edward Mżyczek fell in the Netherlands. Thanks to a post on Facebook (in Polish), we learn more about one of the many Polish soldiers who died serving in General Maczek’s armored division.

We translated and summarized the text from the Facebook post. At the end of this article, you can find the original post, which also includes interesting photos.

The Story of Edward Mżyczek

Edward Mżyczek was just 26 years old when he lost his life during World War II. On December 14, 1944, he sent a photo and greetings to his family, not knowing it would be the last message they would ever receive from him.

Edward was born on October 28, 1919, in the village of Kończyce Małe, near Cieszyn. The war shaped his fate, as it did for so many young people from Silesia, a region annexed by Nazi Germany. Under German occupation, young Poles had little hope for the future and were often forced to make life-changing decisions.

Forced into the Wehrmacht

The war had a profound impact on Edward and his family. Like many Polish men living in areas annexed by Germany, he was forced to serve in the Wehrmacht, a fate that was almost impossible to resist. Refusal often led to arrest or even deportation to a concentration camp. Edward, his brother-in-law Janek, and other family members were all conscripted. Janek returned home without a leg, but Edward’s story ended tragically.

Polish soldiers in the Wehrmacht often fought reluctantly for Germany. Many, like Edward, seized opportunities to escape. In 1943, Edward ended up in Allied hands, possibly during an operation in Southern Europe. He joined the Polish Armed Forces in the West, serving under the name Burzyński to protect his family from German reprisals.

A Soldier Under General Maczek

As a soldier in the 1st Podhale Rifles Battalion, part of the
1st Polish Armoured Division, Edward fought under General Maczek. Shortly before Christmas in 1944, Edward was tasked with clearing mines in Doeveren, near Breda. During the final mine-clearing operation, he reportedly exclaimed, “Boys, the last one!” Tragically, it was also his last moment. The next day was Christmas Eve, but Edward and his comrades were no longer alive.

A Grave with a Story

Edward Mżyczek rests alongside his comrades at the General Cemetery Leijsenakkers in Oosterhout. His story serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by so many Polish soldiers. Thanks to Joasia, who shared his story, Edward’s life feels close and personal. It is vital to continue honoring his memory and that of countless others.

Honor His Memory

The story of Edward Mżyczek symbolizes the countless Poles who fought during World War II, often under duress in German service, and ultimately gave their lives for freedom.

If anyone has more information about Edward Mżyka/Burzyński, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We will gladly share this information with the author of the Facebook post as well.

Jazz musician and pilot Syktus Lewkowicz

On Friday afternoon, September 20, 2024, relatives of Syktus Maria Lewkowicz visited the crash site in Hollands Kroon. Following this visit, Mark Hakvoort of the Hollands Kroon Memorial Poles Foundation wrote this report. Our thanks also for the beautiful photos we received, with which Syktus becomes more than just a fallen Polish airman.

Jazz musician and leading aircraftman Syktus Lewkowicz

On Friday afternoon, September 20, 2024, there were English-Polish relatives in the municipality of Hollands Kroon, Nick and Sally Lewkowicz. The plane of Nick’s uncle Sykstus (Marys) Lewkowicz had crashed just behind the farm of the Vosbergen family at Molenweg 38 Slootdorp. There are now apple trees at the site of the plane crash.

In the verge of Molenweg 38 is the memorial post for the six deceased crew members of the Wellington bomber Z1467 GR-L. A moment of remembrance was held for the deceased uncle Sykstus Lewkowicz. The SHHK foundation had provided the Polish national flag and the English Union Jack and the Vosbergen family provided flowers.

Sykstus was co-pilot (2nd pilot) of the Wellington bomber. Normally, at 30, he would have been too old for Bomber Command, but probably because he already had a pilot’s license, operational flying was allowed. In August 1934, he completed his flight training in Poland and obtained his pilot’s license. In the same period, he was a member of a jazz band.

After the German invasion of Poland in September 1939, Sykstus fled Poland with his two younger brothers Janusz and Antoni via France to England. All three of them went into military service. The middle Janusz was Nick’s father, flew a P-51 Mustang of the RAF. The youngest brother Antoni was in the Polish-English army and had fought in the battle of Monte Casino in Italy in 1944, among other things.

Janusz (Nick’s father) obtained English citizenship after the war and married an English woman. He had four sons, of whom Nick is the youngest. Nick and Sally themselves have three sons.

In the early 1960s, Janusz, Nick’s father, came to the Netherlands with his family (his mother and four sons). To visit the grave of his brother Sykstus Lewkowicz. There is a cemetery in Huisduinen near Den Helder. When he arrived there with his family, he could not find Sykstus’ grave. After asking around, it turned out that all war graves, including Sykstus’ grave in 1948, had been transferred by the Dutch government in collaboration with the English government to the Allied cemetery near Bergen op Zoom. Nick’s father had not been informed about this and was now looking for nothing 200 km away.

Jurgen from local TV channel RTV-NH was also present and interviewed Nick. Nick talked about his family in Poland, whom they visited during the Cold War and in the early 1990s. Afterwards, tea, coffee and apple pie were served at the Vosbergen family. Several photos were exchanged including photos of the Lewkowicz family in the 1930s, Sykstus during his flight training, birth photo and the jazz band.

Nick informed his three older brothers about the crash site.

Commemoration in Driel: Commitment to freedom remains relevant and deserves lasting recognition.

On Saturday 21 September, the deployment of the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade was commemorated in Driel. Apart from the fact that it was exactly 80 years ago on the day (and almost at the hour) that the Poles landed at Driel, it was an impressive commemoration in several respects.

Recognition of the Polish efforts

The first speaker was outgoing chairman Arno Baltussen. After the rehabilitation of the Brigade and General Sosabowski in the Netherlands in 2006, he has been campaigning for an official apology from the British government for years. After all, shortly after Operation Market Garden, General Sosabowski was blamed for the failure of the operation. In a broader sense, the British government abandoned the Poles after the war and, as one of the few Allies, they were not allowed to participate in the victory parade in London in the summer of 1946.

In an at times emotional speech, Mr Baltussen called on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to undo this injustice. In the words of outgoing chairman Baltussen, it is not too late now that there is still a veteran alive, Bolek Ostrowski (105) in Toronto, Canada.

He emphasised that it is always worth fighting for someone else’s freedom. And he would do it again and again.

It is worth fighting for someone else’s freedom, even if you haven’t experienced it yourself.

We wanted to embrace that value of freedom here in Driel. 

[…]

To this day, the British government has not officially acknowledged the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade.

Efforts for freedom always deserve recognition and appreciation. Efforts for freedom are always right and can never be labelled as “guilty of defeat.” Efforts for freedom are always a victory.

This is also what the British veterans who fought in Arnhem have always said. As a token of their gratitude, they sponsored a monument and plaque at the Polenplein in Driel, in honour of General Sosabowski.

In this way, they have already shown their appreciation, but the formal recognition from the British government would also be greatly appreciated.

Efforts for freedom must go hand in hand with recognition. Recognition expresses appreciation and attention and ultimately leads to motivation. We owe this to Bolek and all the veterans who fought for our freedom, to motivate generations to follow in their footsteps and commit to freedom. Freedom only exists if everyone fulfils their duty to commit to freedom.

Hereby, I repeat my request to the British Prime Minister:[…]The restoration of honour can still take place while Bolek is among us. Considering Bolek’s age, there is no time to lose. There is still a chance to look the last Polish veteran in the eye and say those significant words: “Thank you, thank you for fighting for our freedom.”

With this plea, Arno Baltussen added weight to the letter with this appeal that the British Prime Minister had previously received from the foundation in collaboration with the mayors from the Airborne Region.

What will be our commitment?

One of those mayors, Mayor Patricia Hoytink-Roubos of Overbetuwe, told two personal stories of Polish soldiers, Jozef Pietryga and Bazyli Lincewicz. She called on those present to think about what our legacy could be:

After eighty years, the unconditional and courageous efforts of men like Jozef Pietryga and Bazyli Lincewicz and all the others are still an example. And it holds up a mirror to us. What imprint do we want to leave for our children? Are we willing to fight for something bigger than ourselves? Are we willing to make a sacrifice for that?

This is what we still need to do today. We see that the war is closer and closer. Literally, through the fighting in Ukraine.

But also when I look at our own country, the circumstances are somewhat similar to those in the 1920s. Also then there was polarisation, anti-Semitism, uncertainty and instability. This created fertile ground for the ideology of the Nazis.

Let the outcome not be the same today. Let us prove the history wrong. Let us show that we can do it differently, even if the current situation resembles the one of the past.

Contributions from the Prime Ministers

The commemoration was to be attended by the Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk, and the Netherlands, Dick Schoof. With the high water in Poland, the Polish Prime Minister was represented by the Minister of Veterans Affairs, who read a letter from Tusk.

The Dutch Prime Minister also uses the efforts of the Poles to make the link to current affairs and our role in it:

Today, let us consider their example a call to action.
A call to stand firm for the freedoms and values they fought for with such dedication and determination, 80 years ago.

To the generations that have grown up since then, ‘war’ has been something that happens elsewhere.
Something that happened in the past.
Something that is over and done with.
At least: that’s what we were able to tell ourselves for a long time.
But Russia’s invasion of Ukraine revealed the truth.[…]

For Poland – one of the countries that liberated us – it feels even closer.
That’s why it’s so essential for Poland, the Netherlands and other countries to stick together and support each other – as members of NATO and as fellow European nations.
That’s why we must stand together in opposition to aggression and violations of the rule of law.
Without hesitation or compromise.
We must.
We must, because the alternative is unthinkable.

In his letter, Prime Minister Tusk expressed his gratitude to the Dutch people for the way in which they have commemorated the Polish efforts and worked for their rehabilitation over the years:

As I have already mentioned, we remain grateful for your memory of the Polish brigade and its general. In particular, I would like to thank you for your efforts to commemorate the Poles who fought at Arnhem, which resulted in Queen Beatrix awarding the 1st Independent Parachute Brigade the Kingdom of the Netherlands’ highest military award – the Military William Order – in 2006, with General Sosabowski being distinguished with the Bronze Lion Medal.

However, there is one more reason for our gratitude, namely the push to recognise the contribution of Polish paratroopers in Operation Market Garden and to acknowledge their efforts, with the letter calling for such recognition sent to the government of the United Kingdom this July. Many mayors of Dutch cities signed the letter.

Today and the legacy

We hope that the commitment of the Poles is indeed reflected in actions today. Whether our legacy is drawing a line against aggression and injustice, continuing to recall the role of the Poles or the actual rehabilitation by the British government. We hope above all that the commitment of Bolek and all others was not in vain and that he may still witness the rehabilitation.

Want to watch the commemoration again?

The commemoration can be viewed on YouTube (see below). There was a short interview about the historical context beforehand. Would you like to watch that too? Then go to the report on the Omroep Gelderland website.

Speeches

The full speeches can be read on the website of the Driel Polen Foundation

Opening speech by Chairman Driel-Polen Foundation A.J.M. Baltussen
Speech by Mayor P. Hoytink-Roubos
Speech by Prime Minister D. Schoof
Speech by Prime Minister D. Tusk

‘Vergeten Helden’ now also published in Polish

In 2020, the book ‘Vergeten Helden’ (Forgotten Heroes) was published. Photographer Johannes vande Voorde followed the Polish armored division from Normandy to Wilhelmshaven and took photos on that route and portraits of veterans. Dirk Verbeke wrote the texts (with an introduction by Dr. Iwona Guść). The result was a beautiful monument in book form to these forgotten heroes of our liberation.

At the beginning of October, both authors presented the Polish edition ‘Zapomniani Bohaterowie’ in a translation by Iwona Mąckza during a meeting organized by IPN.

Polish Cycling Route Driel Oosterbeek

This cycling route passes the important sites in and around the villages of Driel and Oosterbeek, where the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade fought during the Second World War.

The route of 40 kilometers passes by the dropzones and the headquarters of Major General Stanisław Sosabowski. This route is part of the national route along the most important locations in the Netherlands liberated by Polish forces. The starting and ending point of this route is the information center “The Poles of Driel.“

Why this route?

The Foundation Driel – Polen is committed to keeping alive the memory of the Polish liberators who fought in Operation Market Garden in 1944. The highlight is the annual commemoration in September. We noticed there is interest throughout the year. That is why in 2014, the information center was established, now serving as the start and endpoint of this route.

With this cycling route, in collaboration with Liberation Route Europe (LRE) and other partners (including Polen in Beeld), we aim to bring the stories to life at the locations where they took place. We previously did the same with our walking route.

What can you see along this route?

The route takes you through the beautiful Over-Betuwe region, which was the battleground for the land army and a significant part of the parachute brigade. The route also leads you over the Veluwezoom and through the battlegrounds around Oosterbeek, where the Polish forces fought in the bitter struggle in and around the perimeter. This is the area where the Allies tried to hold their ground against
advancing German troops after the Arnhem bridge was lost.

Stories

At the various important locations, we share the story of our Polish liberators. Often, these are the stories of soldiers who, sadly, could not tell their tales and are now buried at the cemetery in Oosterbeek, which is, of course, also a stop along the route.

  • Headquarters: You will pass by the house where General Sosabowski had his headquarters.
  • Landing Zone: September 19th gliders landed with Polish equipment. Corporal Trochim was killed. His grave remained anonymous for a long time.
  • Positions: In Driel, gunner Karol Standarski distinguished himself by repelling a German attack. He crossed the Rhine and again distinguished himself in Oosterbeek where he was killed.

How to follow the route?

There are several ways to follow the route.

  • Download the Liberation Route Europe app and search for the route to follow it with the app. It also includes stories and images of the important locations.
  • View the route on the Liberation Route Europe website using your computer, tablet, or phone browser. You will also find the stories and images there.
  • Download a GPX file of the route from the website for use with your own navigation app or smartwatch. Note that this file contains only the route.

Download flyer Eng (PDF)

United Kingdom and France the base for the build-up of the Polish armed forces

On this day 85 years ago, after the German invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, the United Kingdom declared war on Germany on September 3, 1939. France followed later that same day.

In Poland, the participation was welcomed. Now the army only had to hold out against the German superiority until the British and French arrived. Such support was not forthcoming. Nevertheless, the participation of both countries was crucial. The conflict expanded into what we later called ‘The Second World War’.

Nevertheless, participation was also important for Poland. After the battle against Germany, and from September 17 also against the Soviet Union, was lost in October 1939, the government and army were able to flee. From autumn 1939 to the summer of 1940, work was done in France to rebuild the army. The Poles also fought against the German invasion of France.

After the lost battle in France, they fled to the United Kingdom. From there, another 5 years of fighting followed before Germany was defeated. A battle in which the Poles also lost people in the Netherlands. Struggle that meant freedom for us in Western Europe. For Poland, a period of communism followed and only real freedom with the first free democratic elections in 1989.

Pictured (source IWM): Poles taking to the streets when the news broke that the UK had declared war with a banner saying ‘Long live England’ .

Pilots of the famous 303 squadron who died over the Netherlands

The summer of 1940 saw a massive battle for air superiority in the skies of Great Britain which became know as ‘The Battle of Britain’ starting at the 16th of June with ‘Adlertag’. In the mean time the Polish units – with already battle hardened pilot – where trained in RAF procedures. On August 2nd 303 Tadeusz Kościuszko Warsaw Fighter Squadron was formed (in Polish 303 Dywizjon Myśliwski „Warszawski im. Tadeusza Kościuszki”).

On August 30, 1940 during another training exercise Polish pilot Ludwik Paszkiewicz spotted a German Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter in the area, and he shot it down. An event used in the epic film the Battle of Britain.

The next day, the squadron was declared operational and officially put on full duty to become the highest scoring unit in the Battle and gained lasting fame which resulted in books and films. A long read can be found on Polen in beeld (long read in Dutch but embedded clips are in English).

Few people know that later in the war the unit saw action in the skies over the Netherlands and lost three men of which details can be found on our website:

Day of the Polish Army

For Catholics, August 15 represents the Assumption of Mary. In Poland, it is also Army Day. This can be traced back to the 1920 battle against the Soviet Union and the ‘Miracle on the Vistula’.

The aftermath of World War I

Whereas the general view is that World War I ended on 11 November 1918, a turbulent aftermath followed in several countries in central and eastern Europe due to the collapse of the pre-war powers. So too in Poland, which regained its independence. Something that is commemorated every year on 11 November.

For that independence, the necessary struggles had to be fought. On the western side of Poland was the ‘Greater Poland Uprising’. The only successful uprising in Polish history in which the region around Poznan separated from the German Weimar Republic and joined Poland.

Miracle on the Vistula

The biggest battle was fought with the Russians in the east. Initially, Piłsudski began the struggle to turn Belarus and Ukraine into satellite states and the Polish army was successful. They came as far as Kiev and took it. In the summer of 1920, the tide turned and the Russians entered Poland as far as near Warsaw.

As foreign diplomats began to leave the Polish capital, Piłsudski worked out a daring plan. On the night of 6-7 August 1920, he carried out his operative flank attack. It succeeded! The Soviets took themselves completely by surprise. In two successive battles, Pilsudski’s brigades destroyed two-thirds of the Red cavalry armies.

There was talk of the miracle on the River Vistula (Wisła). The remnants of the Bolshevik army sought refuge in flight. Their sluggishness, fatigue and long supply lines had killed the Soviets. In the process, they had also ignored the Communist hatred of Polish citizens and peasants.*

The Poles had managed to break the Russian codes and were therefore aware of the Russian plans. Another interesting detail is that a Russian commander left the flank of the main force uncovered because he was busy attacking Lviv / Lwów for his own profiling. The attack was in vain and the commander was Stalin.

On the occasion of the Polish victory, 15 August in Poland is not only the Catholic feast day of the Assumption of Mary but also Polish Army Day. For us, a day to remember the hundreds of Polish servicemen listed on our site for losing their lives on Dutch soil.

Painting accompanying this article is "Cud nad Wisłą" - painting Jerzy Kossak