On August 1, 1944, the 1st Polish Armoured Division, under the command of General S. Maczek, landed in France becoming part of the 1st Canadian Army in the 21st Army Group. In a series of operations, the 1st Armoured Division became the cork which closed the Allied gap at Falaise, through which German forces were escaping eastwards.
The Allies had managed to close the Falaise Gap, but a few small and dispersed openings remained to be plugged by the Canadians and Poles. The bulk of the 1st Armoured Polish Division to the east of the Canadian line occupied a wooded hill which General Maczek named "Maczuga" or "mace". Completely cut off from ground-delivered supplies of food and ammunition, it was here that the Poles intended to force the Nazis into submission. But there would be a battle of epic proportions.
Throughout August 20, German units able to slip past the Canadians, together with SS troops on the other side of the gap, stormed the Polish position ceaselessly. Surrounded, the Poles held fast until relieved the next day by the Canadian Grenadier Guards. In all, they lost 2,300 men. But in a stunning display of valour, the unwavering Polish soldiers had sealed the fate of the German forces in Normandy.
One of its veterans celebrated his 90th birthday on Jan. 22nd, 2007.
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