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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.

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)

After 78 years a name on a headstone: PLT. E Morchonowicz

Lance Sergeant (Plutonowy in Polish) Edward Morchonowicz from 8th Company 3rd Battalion of Polish 1st Independent Parachute brigade Group. In a pre war Poland he was since 1935 an NCO in 24th Uhlans (cavalry) Regiment in a city of Kraśnik.

Pre war and the September campaign of 1939

In 1938 he took part in seizing Zaolzie, from Czechs, which was occupied since 1920. In 1939 with his regiment he took part in battles against the Sovjets in [HK1] Jordanów-Kasina Wielka, Zegartowice, Leszczyna, Pcim, Głogów-Rzeszów-Łańcut, Radymno, Jaworów, Grzybowice and defence of Lwów. On 20th of September 1939 he crossed the border and was interned in Hungary.

On new years eve of 1940 he arrived in France and became a soldier of 1st Squadron of 10th Armoured Cavalry Brigade. His unit didn’t take part in the French Campaign of April/may 1940. On 26th of June he arrived in England, becoming a soldier of 24th Uhlans Regiment (armoured).

Entering the brigade

In the beginning of 1942 he applied to the Parachute Brigade. As he was a very good instructor and soldier, his superiors refused him. He applied once again. They refuse him again. So he start to drink and behave like the worst one. For that he was demoted to the rank of Corporal and moved to 10th Dragons Battalion. Finally at the end of 1942 his superiors allow him to move to the parachute brigade.

Morchonowicz qualified as a paratrooper, para badge no 2669. Within one and a half year he regained his rank of Lance Sergeant, receiving very good opinions from his new superiors. His friends from the Para Brigade remembered him as a very cheerful and open person. His only disadvantage was that he stuttered while speaking. This disadvantage disappears when he sings and he sings often and plays the accordion.

Once, he disliked a newcomer in his platoon. Other soldiers ask him „Why do you scold him?” He replied, „Because he mocked me”. They told him „He didn’t mock you, he also stutter”. From this on they became friends.

The proud Wachmistrz

He was also remembered as a proud cavalry man. He tries to dress like a cavalryman, wearing despatch rider trousers and boots instead of battledress trousers and ammo boots. The soldiers he knew from his cavalry unit in Poland always said, „You’re not a rifleman, you’re parachute uhlan.” About himself „I’m not Sergeant, I’m parachute Wachmistrz (Sergeant in Polish cavalry, from German Wachtmeister)”.

In Driel and Oosterbeek

He was dropped in Driel on 21st of September from Dakota chalk number 75. On the night of 22nd/23rd of September with his 8th Company he crossed the Rhine in three dinghies, two 2-persons and one 4-persons, „borrowed” at the airfield from Americans. 36 of them crossed  the river that night.

On the morning of the 23rd they took positions by the pond on a crossroad of Benedendorpsweg and Kneppelhoutweg. After morning shelling he was found dead, receiving splinter wounds. He was the first victim from soldiers who crossed the Rhine. He was buried by his comrades 70 meters behind positions, as was stated in his battle burial report. Although he was identified by British authorities in 1945, until 2022 he had no known grave.

Rededication

According to research based on Polish and British military and CWGC documents he was buried as an unknown Polish soldier in the grave 18.A.1 in Oosterbeek War Cemetery. Posthumously he was awarded the Cross of Valor.

The tombstone on grave 18.A.1 was changed from ‘unknown Polish soldier’ in de summer of 2022 to the one with his name and details.

PLT.
E MORCHONOWICZ
3 BAON SPAD
23RD SEPTEMBER 1944 AGE 28

On Friday September the 15th 2023 a rededication ceremony was held.

Text, portret and photo fieldgrave via Mateusz Mroz. His research resulted in the rededication of the grave at the ‘Airborne cemetery’ in Oosterbeek. Pictures rededication via Stichting Driel-Polen.

Access Polish Graves in Oosterbeek improved

The Poles who died in September 1944 have been buried on the Oosterbeek War Cemetery. The Poles who were first buried in Driel near the church or in their field graves were also buried here in 1947. They lie at the back in a row left and right of the entrance. They are somewhat in the back and are often missed the moment you walk onto the cemetery.

The manager of the cemetery has now adjusted this. It is now possible to turn left and right immediately after the entrance and the space behind the two small buildings there is now more open. This makes the graves stand out more. Also, the grass field there now has a hard surface. This is because this spot under the trees was often wet, as can be seen from the green deposits on the graves themselves.

Below are two more photos and a short film impression that we made on this sunny day.

Video impression of the graves. More Poles are buried among the other graves, mostly on the south side of the field.