On 31 March 2026, on the 134th anniversary of the birth of General Stanisław Maczek, a conference hall at the Rzeszów Branch of the IPN, was named after him. The event was attended by the general’s granddaughter Karolina Maczek-Skillen and the Deputy President of the IPN, Prof. Karol Polejowski.
The armored troops of General Stanisław Maczek wrote a glorious chapter in the history of the Polish armed forces. As part of Operation “Totalize,” they took part in the encirclement and destruction of the German 7th Army in the Falaise Pocket, liberated Belgium and the Netherlands, and—after 283 days of fighting—concluded their combat operations with the capture of the German naval base in Wilhelmshaven. We commemorated the commander of the 1st Armoured Division in Rzeszów by naming a conference hall after him.
During the ceremony, Deputy President of the IPN, Prof. Karol Polejowski, emphasized that the Institute's task is to recall the “Odyssey of Freedom” of General Maczek’s soldiers. He also quoted one of the mottos of the 1st Armoured Division:
“Armor does not protect a cowardly heart” — this is the essence of who the soldiers of the Polish Army and of General Maczek’s 1st Armoured Division were. It reflects their courage, chivalry, and devotion to a free and independent Poland, which they carried with them for many years after 1939.
The bronze medal Reipublicae Memoriae Meritum to the Association of Families of the 1st Polish Armoured Division was awarded. This distinction is granted for outstanding contributions to public and social activities aimed at commemorating the history of the Polish Nation in the years 1917–1990, as well as for supporting the IPN in its educational work. He also presented commemorative plaques to Karolina Maczek-Skillen and Joanna Wielgat, President of the Association.
A board game “Czarna Dywizja” (“Black Division”), prepared by the Rzeszów Branch of the IPN was presented. It tells the story of the 1st Armoured Division’s combat operations in 1944–1945. Participants of the event listened to a discussion featuring Karolina Maczek-Skillen, Prof. Karol Polejowski, and the Director of the IPN Branch in Rzeszów, Prof. Dariusz Iwaneczko.
For many years, the Association of Families of the 1st Polish Armoured Division has been actively engaged in preserving the memory of people and of events connected with the Division—one of the most important large units of the Polish Armed Forces that fought for the freedom of Poland and Europe during the Second World War. Thanks to their efforts, the history of this formation is not only cultivated among the families and descendants of its soldiers, but is also widely promoted in Polish society.
The Association organizes meetings, lectures and academic conferences. It cooperates with the IPN on various research and educational projects. The Association also maintains contacts with veterans and their families, providing assistance and support—an important element of its social work for the veteran community. It also takes care of the graves of veterans of the 1st Polish Armoured Division, thereby supporting the statutory tasks of the IPN.
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Gen. Stanisław Maczek stands among the most remarkable Polish WW2 commanders, a leader defined by skill, determination, and unwavering commitment to his soldiers and to freedom.
He first distinguished himself as a young officer during WW1. In the turbulent years that followed, he earned respect in the fights for Poland’s borders against Ukrainians and Bolsheviks. By the time WW2 began, he was already recognised as one of Poland’s most capable commanders.
Educated as a philosopher and passionate about Polish literature, Maczek chose a life of service when history demanded it. He became a pioneer of modern warfare in Poland, commanding the country’s first large motorised unit, the 10th Cavalry Brigade, in 1939, and continuing the fight in France in 1940. In 1942, he took command of the famed 1st Armoured Division.
Under his leadership, the division became one of the most effective formations of the Polish Army in the West. His soldiers were known for their discipline, courage, and determination. They played a crucial role in the 1944 Normandy campaign, helping to close the Falaise Pocket, and went on to liberate towns and cities across France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The division’s combat trail ended with the capture of the German naval base in Wilhelmshaven.
After the war, Gen. Maczek remained in exile in Great Britain, living modestly despite his extraordinary achievements. Though denied recognition by the communist authorities in Poland, he was never forgotten by those he helped liberate. The Dutch, in particular, honoured him with deep gratitude, granting him honorary citizenship.
He passed away in 1994 and was laid to rest among his soldiers in Breda, a powerful testament to the bond he shared with the men he led.
Read more about the “Trails of Hope. Odyssey of Freedom” project to learn more about the Polish 1st Armoured Division, other units of the Polish Armed Forces in the West and the fate of the Polish refugees during WW2: https://szlakinadziei.ipn.gov.pl/sne