1 Samodzielna Brygada Spadochronowa
The 1 Samodzielna Brygada Spadochronowa ( German 1st Independent Polish Parachute Brigade ), (1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade) was a Polish paratrooper brigade in World War II . It was erected in Scotland in September 1941 and comprised 2300 soldiers. She was part of the Polish Armed Forces in the west of the Polish government in exile . The brigade was commanded by Major General Stanisław Sosabowski .
history
Scotland
The brigade was established in 1941 at the request of Stanisław Sosabowski. In 1942, former prisoners of war from the Soviet Union were added. Under the leadership of General Władysław Anders , they were able to leave the USSR as a result of the Sikorski-Maiski Agreement .
Operation Market Garden
After heavy fighting in the Netherlands from September 17 to 27, 1944, around 25% of the soldiers had died, the brigade was evacuated to England . Few soldiers had managed to cross the Lower Rhine (Driel).
Germany
After the war ended in 1945 it was relocated to Germany and, together with the 1st Polish Armored Division, formed the 1st Polish Corps , which occupied the Emsland until 1947 . In 1947 the brigade was disbanded, many of the soldiers remained in exile and did not return to communist Poland .
On May 31, 2006 the VI. Polish Air-Landing Brigade, as a continuation of the traditions of the 1st Polish Paratrooper Brigade, was awarded the Military Wilhelm Order by Queen Beatrix for its work in the liberation of the Netherlands .
Others
The brigade plays a role in the American films "The Eagle Has Landed" and "The Bridge of Arnhem" .
