As a driver of the Sherman tank he fought in the ranks of the 1st Armoured Division in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and northern Germany. For his military merit, Captain Jan Brzeski became a bachelor of the French Legion of Honor. “France is forever grateful to Polish heroes,” emphasized Étienne de Pontins, the French Ambassador to Poland, presenting the award to a 101-year-old combatant.
– It is simply a large honour for me to present the Insignia of the Legion of Honor in the rank of cavalry Mr Jan Brzeski, a Polish veteran of the conflict of Normandy – he spoke during the ceremony in Rytra Étienne de Pontins, the French Ambassador to Poland, giving the honour to Captain Jan Brzeski, the last veteran 1st Panzer Division. The ceremony was held as part of the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Allied army landing in Normandy on 6 June 1944. The Order granted the Polish veteran Emmanuel Macron, president of France. – By awarding you the highest French award established by Napoleon in 1802, The French Republic wishes to express its admiration and deep gratitude and to honour with you the dedication of thousands of Polish soldiers who participated in the liberation of Europe," the French ambassador emphasized in his speech.
The diplomat besides recalled Captain Brzeski's warpath. erstwhile planet War II broke out, the combatant was 16. In February 1940, he crossed Hungary to France, where the Polish army was formed. After the surrender of France, he evacuated to the United Kingdom and entered the 14th Jazlów Regiment. The soldiers of this unit were later incorporated into the 1st Armoured Division under command General Stanisława MaczkaAnd Captain Brzeski was assigned to the 24th Ulan Regiment.
– On August 2, 1944, little than 2 months after the launch of Operation Overlord, he landed at the Arromanches-Les-Bains port in Normandy and just six days later, as a Sherman tank driver, he began to participate in the fighting," said Étienne de Pontins.
Captain Brzeski participated, among others, in the conflict of Falaise. “Then we went after Germany throughout France, and then through Belgium and the Netherlands,” said the veteran in May 2021 in an interview with the monthly magazine “Army Poland”. The officer passed the full 1st Division combat trail, taking part, among others. in triggering Dutch Breda. After the end of the war, he served as a defender and patrol officer in Germany, and in 1947 he returned to Poland. He's 101 today.
The Legion of Honor is the highest French award given by the president of this country to civilians and military, including foreigners, for peculiar achievements. The Order is divided into 5 classes. The highest is the large Cross, and the presented to Captain Brest Legion of Honor in the rank of a bachelor is Class V.
The 1st Panzer Division under General Stanisław Maczka was formed in Scotland from 1942 to 1944. In late July 1944, the unit was moved to Normandy, northern France. There she acted in the composition of the 2nd Canadian Corps and played an crucial function in the largest of Norman battles – under Falaise. In subsequent fights, 1st Division soldiers liberated, among others, Abbeville in France, Ypres in Belgium and Breda in the Netherlands. The conflict way ended in Wilhelmshaven, Germany.
