Trace the route of General Maczek’s Polish 1st Armoured Division from their arrival in Normandy to their baptism of fire in Operation Totalize through to the Falaise Pocket and the horrific battle of The Mace – or known by the Polish as the Maczuga.
Polish forces had gradually formed up in the UK during the early years of the war as increasing numbers of Polish men made their way to the UK from German occupied mainland Europe. Excellent Polish pilots were vital during the Battle of Britain in 1940 and continued to be so for the rest of the war. Polish naval forces were supplied with allied ships and infantry units were formed that fought in Italy. A Polish Airborne battalion was later deployed in Operation Market Garden during September 1944. The Polish forces needed no excuses for fighting against the Germans and this resulted in some extremely vicious encounters – often hand-to-hand combat – fighting to the death – no surrender.
Polish 1st Armoured Division
General Maczek’s 1st Armoured Division arrived in Normandy in late July 44 and this tour traces the route from the Division’s two points of entry into Normandy – Arromanches (Gold) and Graye-sur-Mer (Juno) – through to the famous battle in the Falaise Pocket on Hill 262 North particularly around Boisjos Farm. The tour visits the unique and sobering Polish Memorial and Cemetery at Urville-Langannerie. This is an interesting tour devoted to the courageous Polish men who braved all manner of hardship during the war only to be almost written out of it by many historians. Indeed, General Maczek became one of the most highly decorated Allied Generals of World War Two. Sadly, after the war, due to the Iron Curtain, many men could never return home to their families due to fear of Soviet oppression towards military personnel, regardless of whether or not they were still serving.
This is a 2-Day Tour and as we only do a minimum of 3-Day Tours this needs to be attached to another tour. You can add days – as many as you like – for example if you wanted to add any of our British, American or Canadian tours – there’s plenty to choose from. You can also swop days out for days of other tours. All tours are private so plenty of flexibility.
If family members were involved I can also tailor the tour to focus on specific units, sites and areas of interest.
Please feel free to CONTACT me for additional information.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1
Part I– Arrival in Normandy – July 1944
Arromanches
Graye-sur-Mer
Part II– Operation Totalize – August 1944
St Aignan-de-Cramesnil
Urville-Langannerie Polish War Memorial and Military Cemetery
Cauvicourt
St Sylvain
Soignolles
Jort
Day 2
Part III– Polish in the Falaise Pocket – Maczuga – August 1944
Falaise
Blocking points and battles with 12SS Panzer Division
Trun
Corridor of Death
Hill 262 North
Boisjos Farm
Montormel & Museum
Chambois
This is a 2-Day Tour and as we only do a minimum of 3-Day Tours this needs to be attached to another tour. You can add days – as many as you like – for example if you wanted to add any of our British, American, Canadian tours or a day with the French Resistance – there’s plenty to choose from. You can also swop days out for days of other tours. All tours are private so plenty of flexibility.
If family members were involved I can also tailor the tour to focus on specific units, sites and areas of interest.
Please feel free to CONTACT me for additional information.