On Saturday, October 18, the presentation of a new book, Quest for Freedom, took place at the Maczek Memorial in Breda. This book, written by Jack Didden (text) and designed by Maarten Swarts (layout), describes the operations of the 1st Polish Armoured Division from the beaches of France to the German surrender in May 1945.
What started as an idea for a modest 150-page booklet — as the author mentioned during the presentation — eventually turned into a substantial 450-page volume containing around 600 photos and over 100 maps. Richard Tieskens, chairman of the memorial, already referred to it as the “Magna Carta” of the division.
We will publish a more detailed review soon, but our first impression is that this is a beautifully produced and highly comprehensive work on the division. With the maps in hand, it also serves as a perfect guide for tracing the remnants of the past today.
Interested in the book? It is available for €65.00 at, or can be ordered from, the Maczek Memorial in Breda, as well as from bookstores both offline and online, such as bol.com.
Impression of the book and the well-attended book presentation on October 18 in Breda.
At the Stedelijk Museum Coevorden, the exhibition ‘Lest We Forget’ can be seen from April 5 to August 31.
80 Years of Liberation
Across the country, between 2024 and 2025, the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands from German occupation is being commemorated and celebrated. While the role of the Canadians, Americans, and British in this liberation is widely acknowledged, the contribution of relatively smaller allied divisions should not be underestimated. This exhibition focuses on one of these divisions: the 1st Polish Armoured Division.
The division, most well-known as the liberators of Breda, was also active in the northeast of the Netherlands. Their role in the liberation in that region has long been cherished and is now receiving increasing recognition across the rest of the Netherlands. A battle that cost the lives of dozens of Poles toward the end of the war, including that of Jan Andrzej Kozakiewicz. His portrait adorns the exhibition’s image. He died while searching for his sister at the Oberlangen prison camp.
Freedom
In an increasingly polarized world, living in freedom no longer seems to be taken for granted, according to the museum. It is important to remain aware of the privilege of being able to live in freedom. This exhibition addresses questions such as ‘What does freedom mean?’
Visit the Exhibition
Details about the exhibition can be found on the museum’s website. We are in talks with the museum to arrange a lecture. Once that is scheduled, we will announce it on our website and social media. The museum’s opening hours are as follows:
Tuesday to Saturday: 09:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Monday: Closed
The museum is closed on Easter, King’s Day, Ascension Day, and Whit Sunday. The museum is open on Good Friday and (of course, you could almost say) Liberation Day.
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.
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.
