On 27 September 2025, a solemn ceremony was held at the cemetery in Antwerp to mark the 81st anniversary of the Liberation of Flanders with the participation of the 1st Polish Armoured Division. At the memorial plaque, tribute was paid to the Polish soldiers who, in 1944, fought on Belgian soil, bringing freedom to the inhabitants of this region.

The honorary guard at the ceremony was provided by the 34th Armoured Cavalry Brigade named after Grand Hetman Jan Saryusz Zamoyski from Żagań, which continues the traditions of the legendary division of General Stanisław Maczek. The Institute of National Remembrance was represented by the Office of International Cooperation Deputy Director Mateusz Marek, Ph.D. and Sławomir Bardski, who laid a wreath on behalf of the Institute at the plaque commemorating the Polish soldiers.

The commemoration in Antwerp is an expression of remembrance and gratitude towards the heroes who fought not only for Poland’s freedom but also for the liberation of Western Europe. Thanks to such events, the legacy and sacrifice of General Maczek’s soldiers remain alive in both Poland and Belgium.

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The 1st Polish Armoured Division, commanded by General Stanisław Maczek was formed in 1942 in Scotland. In August 1944, following the Normandy landings, it entered combat alongside the Allies. The division distinguished itself in the battles of Falaise, Chambois, and Mont Ormel, closing the so-called “Falaise Pocket,” which contributed to a breakthrough in the Normandy campaign. After that battle, Polish soldiers liberated successive cities in Belgium and the Netherlands, including Ypres, Tielt, Roeselare, and Ghent. In Antwerp and across Flanders, the Polish Division fought fierce battles, while being welcomed with immense gratitude by the local population. The Division’s combat trail ended in May 1945 in Wilhelmshaven, Germany, where it accepted the surrender of the garrison and naval base.