While most people know that British, American, and Canadian troops were involved in the liberation of the Netherlands, few know that the Poles also played a major role in the last days of WWII in Holland.
How the Polish troops ended up in the Netherlands is a special story. Nazi Germany’s occupation of Poland lit the fire of resistance in many Polish people who wanted to fight for freedom. Emigrant children, refugees from labor camps, escaped war prisoners, and soldiers who managed to escape after the fall of Poland were brought together to form the Polish 1st Armored Division in Great Britain in 1942.
In August 1944, the troops entered the war, fought in Normandy and then advanced through Belgium to the Netherlands.
On behalf of the Liberation Route Europe Foundation and our partners, we invite the press to join us on a thematic press trip the ‘Liberation of the Netherlands by the Poles’ (30 August – 2 September).
It is a great opportunity for you to look forward to the upcoming remembrance period in the Netherlands. In 2019 and 2020 Europe commemorates the 75th anniversary of liberation and the end of WWII. This press trip will focus on the underexposed role of the Poles regarding the liberation of the Netherlands 75 years ago, the places of interest and remains of the war in the area where the Polish soldiers fought. Besides this, we will visit some museums that are dedicated and we’ll attend the national kickoff of the liberation of the (southern) Netherlands at the borders of the Scheldt in Terneuzen.
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Discover the full program of the press trip (PDF)
Interested ? Contact Gert-Jan Jacobs, Press and Communication officer
