tedleja
6 Aug 2012
Genealogy / Does anyone have any relatives who served with 1st Polish Armoured Division (Gen. Maczek) [310]
Looking for Where members of 1st Polish Armored Division were born:
My father is a goral who was born in Koniowka near Zacopane in 1921. Because he immigrated to Canada in 1935, he chose to fight for his adopted country and ended up in Normandy in June 1944. He was part of the 3rd Canadian Division and part of the 8th RECEE regiment of the Canadian army based in Montreal. As you know the 1st Polish Armored was attached to the Canadian army and the Polish armored brigade were responsible for closing the Falaise gap at all costs. My father's job in reconnaisance was to probe behind enemy lines looking for weakness to exploit. He had been reported missing in action many times and subject to friendly fire many times. From regimental records from our archives in Ottawa, I believe that he was within 15 kilometres or less of that amazing battle on the far side of the Canadian troops trying to relieve the Poles. His job was to find the Wehrmacht that was trying to help their trapped brothers.
I'm sure that my father knew that his fellow Poles were nearby. I'm just curious and would like to find anyone in the Polish division who lived in the same town or in the same area. who knows that maybe the neighbour across the street. I'm trying to visit Poland and Konoiwka in October.
Ted
Looking for Where members of 1st Polish Armored Division were born:
My father is a goral who was born in Koniowka near Zacopane in 1921. Because he immigrated to Canada in 1935, he chose to fight for his adopted country and ended up in Normandy in June 1944. He was part of the 3rd Canadian Division and part of the 8th RECEE regiment of the Canadian army based in Montreal. As you know the 1st Polish Armored was attached to the Canadian army and the Polish armored brigade were responsible for closing the Falaise gap at all costs. My father's job in reconnaisance was to probe behind enemy lines looking for weakness to exploit. He had been reported missing in action many times and subject to friendly fire many times. From regimental records from our archives in Ottawa, I believe that he was within 15 kilometres or less of that amazing battle on the far side of the Canadian troops trying to relieve the Poles. His job was to find the Wehrmacht that was trying to help their trapped brothers.
I'm sure that my father knew that his fellow Poles were nearby. I'm just curious and would like to find anyone in the Polish division who lived in the same town or in the same area. who knows that maybe the neighbour across the street. I'm trying to visit Poland and Konoiwka in October.
Ted