Intro
The Polish 1st Armoured Division
Holding the line at all costs.
Intro
The Polish 1st Armoured Division
Holding the line at all costs.
Background
Nazi Germany invaded Poland on September 1st, 1939. The Germans had total control of the country within a month. However, countless amounts of Polish soldiers successfully retreated to Great Britain. The group of battle-weary men reformed in Scotland as the Polish 1st Armoured Division, commanded by General Stanislaw Maczek. For more than four years they waited to avenge their fallen countrymen.
Background
Nazi Germany invaded Poland on September 1st, 1939. The Germans had total control of the country within a month. However, countless amounts of Polish soldiers successfully retreated to Great Britain. The group of battle-weary men reformed in Scotland as the Polish 1st Armoured Division, commanded by General Stanislaw Maczek. For more than four years they waited to avenge their fallen countrymen.
Mont Ormel
By August of 1944, the Polish 1st Armoured was ready to strike back. Their first major task was to capture and hold the Mont Ormel ridge, known to the Allies as "Hill 262" for its 262 meter elevation. General Maczek nicknamed the hill "Maczuga", which translates to "The Mace". The hill had a complete view of the landscape below, as well as the only remaining highway in the area.
Mont Ormel
By August of 1944, the Polish 1st Armoured was ready to strike back. Their first major task was to capture and hold the Mont Ormel ridge, known to the Allies as "Hill 262" for its 262 meter elevation. General Maczek nicknamed the hill "Maczuga", which translates to "The Mace". The hill had a complete view of the landscape below, as well as the only remaining highway in the area.
Closing the Gap
The Allies had almost completely encircled the German Army Group B by August 19. The area became known as the Falaise Pocket. British forces moved in from the West, Canadian forces from the North, and American forces from the South. The Germans' only way out of the encirclement was directly through the Polish forces at Hill 262. The once peaceful country highway would soon become known as "The Corridor of Death".
Closing the Gap
The Allies had almost completely encircled the German Army Group B by August 19. The area became known as the Falaise Pocket. British forces moved in from the West, Canadian forces from the North, and American forces from the South. The Germans' only way out of the encirclement was directly through the Polish forces at Hill 262. The once peaceful country highway would soon become known as "The Corridor of Death".
Holding the Line
The Polish 1st Armoured got the jump on the retreating Germans, and quickly denied the first wave any chance of escape. However, they would now have to fend off the entire German 7th Army, and remnants from some 19 others. 1,500 Polish soldiers against a couple hundred thousand Germans. For the next three days, the 1st Armoured Division held their ground, desperately awaiting reinforcements.
Holding the Line
The Polish 1st Armoured got the jump on the retreating Germans, and quickly denied the first wave any chance of escape. However, they would now have to fend off the entire German 7th Army, and remnants from some 19 others. 1,500 Polish soldiers against a couple hundred thousand Germans. For the next three days, the 1st Armoured Division held their ground, desperately awaiting reinforcements.