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Stichting Driel Polen

Sosabowski before Market Garden
Sosabowski before Market Garden
Polish graves
Polish graves

1.003 paratroopers of the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade landed on September 21, 1944 in Driel and the surrounding area to take part in the Battle of Arnhem. A year after this date, a committee was established, called Comité Driel - Polen (now Driel-Polen Foundation), which aims to: Preserve the memory of the contribution of the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade to the Battle of Arnhem, by organizing an annual commemoration, disseminating information about the contribution of the Polish soldiers to the Battle of Arnhem and involving residents of Driel at the commemorations.

On September 21, 1945, the inhabitants of Driel adopted the graves of all Polish soldiers who died. The following year, flowers and plants were brought to the graves of the Polish paratroopers, who had recently been reburied at the Airborne Cemetery in Oosterbeek.

In December 1946 the schoolchildren sent Christmas wishes to all the paratroopers who had fought at Driel.

In February 1947, the Polish paratroopers donated a large sum to rebuild the boys' school, which had served as a military hospital during the battle. In May 1949 the rebuilt school was given the name St. Stanislaus Kostka School, the street on which the school was located was given the name Casimirstraat and the former Dorpsplein became Sosabowskiplein.

On September 18, 1954, the board of the former municipality of Heteren, to which Driel belonged, granted Honorary Citizenship to Major General S.F. Sosabowski.

On September 12, 1959, the inhabitants of Driel presented a banner to the Veterans' Union of the Polish Airborne Forces.


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Additional images
Landing at Drop Zone Overasselt
Landing at Drop Zone Overasselt


Personal view or conclusion on this post

What a great foundation this is. One of the first organisations to commemorate and honor the Polish veterans of Operation Market Garden. Very higly recommended! Pictures are used by permission.