Historians from the Institute of National Remembrance Michał Zarychta, Ph.D. and Bogusław Wójcik, Ph.D. took part in the event organized by the Polish Embassy in Brussels on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the death of General Stanisław Maczek who had liberated Breda in 1944.
The IPN researchers presented a recent publication by IPN: The Forgotten Heroes, and participated in a discussion with Johannes Vande Voorde and Dirk Verbeke, authors of the book dedicated to the fate of the soldiers of the 1st Armored Division.
During the event, a painting of General Maczek was unveiled and one of the halls in the Polish Embassy building was named after the brave soldier. Ms. Pia Libicka-Regulska, chargé d’affaires a.i. of the Republic of Poland in Belgium, on behalf of the President of the Republic of Poland, awarded the Officer's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta to the Polish and Belgian activists who had contributed to keeping the memory of General Maczek alive. Ms. Pia Libicka-Regulska also awarded Pro Patria medals on behalf of the Head of the Office for War Veterans and Victims of Oppression.
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General Stanisław Maczek, who passed away on 11 December 1994, is remembered as one of the most prominent Polish military leaders of the 20th century. This year marks the 30th anniversary of his death, providing an opportunity to reflect on his extraordinary legacy.
General Maczek, born in 1892 in what is now Ukraine, served with distinction during both World Wars. He led Poland's first fully motorized unit, the 10th Motorized Cavalry Brigade, in 1939, where his innovative tactics slowed German advances. After Polish government found itself on exile, he rebuilt his forces in France and later in Britain, becoming the commander of the 1st Polish Armoured Division. Under his leadership, the division played a critical role in the liberation of France, Belgium, and the Netherlands during World War II, gaining a reputation for avoiding civilian casualties while achieving military success.
After the war, Maczek could not return to Poland due to the communist regime. Stripped of his citizenship and military pension, he lived in Edinburgh, where he worked modestly as a barman. Despite this, he remained an inspiration for many, revered for his integrity and commitment to his soldiers. His Polish citizenship was restored in 1989, shortly before his death at the age of 102. Maczek is buried in Breda, the Netherlands, alongside his fallen soldiers, fulfilling his wish to rest with those he led. He continues to be honoured worldwide, particularly in Scotland and the Netherlands, with memorials and annual events commemorating his contribution to freedom and justice.
We encourage you to watch a short educational video about General Maczek prepared by the IPN Office of International Cooperation: