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This weekend, the city of #Breda celebrates the #75th anniversary of its liberation by #Maczek's 1st Polish Armoured Div.
For Maczek, the victory at Breda was second only to Falaise.
A thread on the Polish actions which spared the city from destruction by Allied bombardment.
For Maczek, the victory at Breda was second only to Falaise.
A thread on the Polish actions which spared the city from destruction by Allied bombardment.
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Breda's medieval fortifications, encircled by a canal (shown below in the 17th c. print in Maczek's memoirs), had recently been reinforced by a huge anti-tank pit stretching from the north to south-west of the city - constructed at German gunpoint by Breda's inhabitants.
Breda's medieval fortifications, encircled by a canal (shown below in the 17th c. print in Maczek's memoirs), had recently been reinforced by a huge anti-tank pit stretching from the north to south-west of the city - constructed at German gunpoint by Breda's inhabitants.
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The German defence would be "long, hard-fought and solid" - the Allies anticipated the need for a combined action of the four Allied divisions in the region, with artillery and aerial bombardment.
Maczek was tasked with drawing the Germans towards Oosterhout via Alphen.
The German defence would be "long, hard-fought and solid" - the Allies anticipated the need for a combined action of the four Allied divisions in the region, with artillery and aerial bombardment.
Maczek was tasked with drawing the Germans towards Oosterhout via Alphen.
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The division swiftly secured Gilze and the Breda-Tilburg road around Haansberg by the PM of 27th October.
It had 3 options:
- to continue north - Wilhelmine canal
- to turn east - support the 2nd Army
- to turn back, cut off the German retreat from the Holland Diep canal
The division swiftly secured Gilze and the Breda-Tilburg road around Haansberg by the PM of 27th October.
It had 3 options:
- to continue north - Wilhelmine canal
- to turn east - support the 2nd Army
- to turn back, cut off the German retreat from the Holland Diep canal
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Montgomery ordered the Poles to advance towards the massive Holland Diep canal, to seize the bridges in the Moerdijk region - but first, stood Breda.
"Breda czekała na uwolnienie"
"Breda awaited its liberation," Maczek writes.
"Breda was impatient."
Montgomery ordered the Poles to advance towards the massive Holland Diep canal, to seize the bridges in the Moerdijk region - but first, stood Breda.
"Breda czekała na uwolnienie"
"Breda awaited its liberation," Maczek writes.
"Breda was impatient."
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Breda thus became the Poles' principal objective - German prisoners
taken on the 27th expressed surprise at the Polish advances in the region.
To maintain momentum, Maczek turned by 90 degrees, to attack from the west.
28th Oct, he sent his division out along 2 axes:
Breda thus became the Poles' principal objective - German prisoners
taken on the 27th expressed surprise at the Polish advances in the region. To maintain momentum, Maczek turned by 90 degrees, to attack from the west.
28th Oct, he sent his division out along 2 axes:
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The 10th Armoured Cavalry Brigade were to advance along the Breda-Tilburg road to secure the n-e sections of the town, to cover the town in case of German counter-attack from the north and secure the crossings of the Willhelmine Canal.
The 10th Armoured Cavalry Brigade were to advance along the Breda-Tilburg road to secure the n-e sections of the town, to cover the town in case of German counter-attack from the north and secure the crossings of the Willhelmine Canal.
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The 3rd Rifles Brigade were to advance to Ginneken and then to occupy the centre and southern parts of the Breda, and advance to the Mark canal.
Prisoners taken on the 28th:
5 officers, 276 men
Equipment:
2 tanks, 3 75mm guns, 2 55mm guns, 3 37mm guns.
The 3rd Rifles Brigade were to advance to Ginneken and then to occupy the centre and southern parts of the Breda, and advance to the Mark canal.
Prisoners taken on the 28th:
5 officers, 276 men
Equipment:
2 tanks, 3 75mm guns, 2 55mm guns, 3 37mm guns.
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"On the morning of 29th October, all of the Division attacked Breda.
The combat group of the 10th Armoured Cavalry Brigade secured the north-west of the town and, after fierce fighting, dislodged the Germans from the terrain between the Tilburg-Breda road & Wilhelmine canal
"On the morning of 29th October, all of the Division attacked Breda.
The combat group of the 10th Armoured Cavalry Brigade secured the north-west of the town and, after fierce fighting, dislodged the Germans from the terrain between the Tilburg-Breda road & Wilhelmine canal
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Advancing from Ginneken to Princenhage, the combat group of the 3rd Rifles Brigade secured the south-eastern quarters of the town and the bridge near Oranjeboom. By midday it was clearing the centre of the city.
Advancing from Ginneken to Princenhage, the combat group of the 3rd Rifles Brigade secured the south-eastern quarters of the town and the bridge near Oranjeboom. By midday it was clearing the centre of the city.
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The fighting continued thru the 30th October. Princenhage was taken by the 8th Rifles and the 2nd Armoured Regt met the 104th American infantry Div as they pushed through the forests to the west. The 10th Dragoons & 24th Podhalian Lancers pushed the Germans over the W. Canal.
The fighting continued thru the 30th October. Princenhage was taken by the 8th Rifles and the 2nd Armoured Regt met the 104th American infantry Div as they pushed through the forests to the west. The 10th Dragoons & 24th Podhalian Lancers pushed the Germans over the W. Canal.
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The 9th Rifles battalion seized the crossing of the Mark - with the Germans forced beyond the Wilhelmine and Mark canals, Breda was now 'liberated'.
"The people of Breda celebrated their first hours of freedom. It was like a carnival, streets packed with delirious crowds."
The 9th Rifles battalion seized the crossing of the Mark - with the Germans forced beyond the Wilhelmine and Mark canals, Breda was now 'liberated'.
"The people of Breda celebrated their first hours of freedom. It was like a carnival, streets packed with delirious crowds."
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"The enthusiasm was at its peak when I officially installed the former mayor at the town hall - he had been in hiding throughout the German occupation.
In the shop windows, the placards bore the inscription "Dziękujemy Wam Polacy".
"The enthusiasm was at its peak when I officially installed the former mayor at the town hall - he had been in hiding throughout the German occupation.
In the shop windows, the placards bore the inscription "Dziękujemy Wam Polacy".
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On 30th Oct, the Burgomaster of Breda awarded the Polish Division the medal of honour in gratitude for "its military talent and bravery."
The division pushed on to Moerdijk but the terrain was flooded and the embankments defended by pillboxes. Heavy losses were suffered.
On 30th Oct, the Burgomaster of Breda awarded the Polish Division the medal of honour in gratitude for "its military talent and bravery."
The division pushed on to Moerdijk but the terrain was flooded and the embankments defended by pillboxes. Heavy losses were suffered.
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The division fell back - on 11th November, Maczek addressed the people of Breda:
"Many mutual sufferings serve to link our two nations.
There is the struggle carried on by both underground armies against the common enemy.
There is the mourning of our Mothers and Wives.."
The division fell back - on 11th November, Maczek addressed the people of Breda:
"Many mutual sufferings serve to link our two nations.
There is the struggle carried on by both underground armies against the common enemy.
There is the mourning of our Mothers and Wives.."
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"...For Sons and Husbands martyred by the Germans.
Finally, there is the same long bloody and tortuous road leading us to complete freedom."
For the Poles, Breda was an unqualified success - "We had accomplished a primary task: the taking of Breda, which should have...
"...For Sons and Husbands martyred by the Germans.
Finally, there is the same long bloody and tortuous road leading us to complete freedom."
For the Poles, Breda was an unqualified success - "We had accomplished a primary task: the taking of Breda, which should have...
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"...been realised by an operational group composed of numerous divisions, artillery fire and aerial support. The division thus spared the town from the destruction which this would have entailed.
In 4 days we had driven the enemy out of a region extending 30km."
"...been realised by an operational group composed of numerous divisions, artillery fire and aerial support. The division thus spared the town from the destruction which this would have entailed.
In 4 days we had driven the enemy out of a region extending 30km."
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"At the same time:
- 7 officers and 569 men were taken prisoner
- 3 Panzer IV tanks, an 88mm guns 4 75mm guns, a 55mm gun and 3 37mm guns were taken or destroyed."
"At the same time:
- 7 officers and 569 men were taken prisoner
- 3 Panzer IV tanks, an 88mm guns 4 75mm guns, a 55mm gun and 3 37mm guns were taken or destroyed."
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Breda remembers.
Maczek was awarded honorary citizenship. Memorial services are held each year, streets are named after him and a new memorial is due to be unveiled in March.
Maczek chose to be buried in Breda, alongside his men who fought and died for Breda's liberation.
Breda remembers.
Maczek was awarded honorary citizenship. Memorial services are held each year, streets are named after him and a new memorial is due to be unveiled in March.
Maczek chose to be buried in Breda, alongside his men who fought and died for Breda's liberation.
Photographs from:
