Polish war cemetery in Lommel

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

"For Our Freedom and Yours"

These words were carved on the memorial wall of the Polish war cemetery in Lommel. The heroes buried here did not live to see freedom,    for which they fought. 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, made by Marian Wnuk. During the liberation, General Maczek's units used the tactic of outflanking the town by cutting off the roads leading to it, and the infantry entered the towns. The surrounded Germans were forced to retreat. This tactic minimized losses among the civilian population and Polish soldiers. Every September, ceremonies are held at the cemetery in Lommel to commemorate Polish soldiers who liberated France, Belgium and the Netherlands.