Polish war cemetery in Lommel

257 Polish soldiers, mainly those fighting in 1. Armored Division of General Stanisław Maczek, were buried in the cemetery established in 1946. At the turn of July and August 1944 they landed on the beaches of Normandy, starting the pursuit of the retreating German troops. 6 December they crossed the border into Belgium, liberating cities in northern Flanders. Poperinge, Ieper, Roeselare, Tielt, part of Ghent, Lokeren, Beveren-Waas, St.-Niklaas, Beerse, Merksplas, these cities mark the Polish battle trail 1. Armored Division in Belgium. Pilots fighting in Polish air divisions are also buried in the cemetery.

"For Our and Your Freedom"

These words were carved on the memorial wall of the Polish war cemetery in Lommel. The heroes buried here did not live to see the freedom they fought for. The youngest of them were only eighteen years old. The fallen soldiers are symbolized by a marble sculpture depicting a woman with a laurel wreath, created by Marian Wnuk. During the liberation, General Maczek's troops used the tactic of flanking the town by cutting off the roads leading to it, and infantry entered the town. The surrounded Germans were forced to retreat. This tactic minimized losses among the civilian population and Polish soldiers. Every year in September, ceremonies are held at the cemetery in Lommel to commemorate Polish soldiers who liberated France, Belgium and the Netherlands.