Polish traces in the fields: Kampina forest
Channel: Eric van Tilbeurgh
Date: 2019-03-17

There are traces to be found of the deployment of Polish Forces throughout the world, during the Second World War. Often, you do not have to look far. I was born in Boxtel, and spent my childhood there. I often walked there with my father and then we children used to play in the nearby woods. During one of these walks, I discovered a few large holes in the forest soil, dug out by human hands a long time ago apparently; and thought it was a nice playground. 
Later, as a teenager, I became interested in the history of the war, especially the part of the participation of Poland.
I also studied the stories of the American airborne landings near Boxtel, and collected all kinds of material such as helmets, uniforms, parts of Gliders and so on. I had many contacts as a teenager with veterans, some of them who would later be well known by the series "Band of Brothers".
Through the stories of my father about his own experiences during the war, however, I was mainly interested in the Polish share and then I focused completely on that.
To my surprise, I discovered that in 1944 resistance fighters from Boxtel and the surrounding area had hidden more than 100 allied parachutists and aircraft crews, to stay out of captivity after they had to land with their Gilders in German-controlled territory during Operation Market Garden. One of these men was Ltnt. Janusz Szegda, from the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade!
This was a special example of war history, largely unknown, where the local Dutch resistance, with great risks, provided several weeks help and food for over 100 allied soldiers!
For many years I did research on this history, and when Peter van der Linden approached me for his book, I shared my information with him so he could also check his info.
The exact locations in the forest remain secret, protected as a cultural heritage, but there is now a monument near the forest, to reflect and commemorate.
Peter van der Linden has written a very good book about this period, and in the attached link you can read a short summary of this story in the Polish language. There is also a link with a short film, recorded after the "Airbornes"  had "Liberated"  Boxtel;  at 1.20 minutes in the movie link you will see Janusz Szegda laughing while he is climbing in the back of a truck, on the way back to the Brigade!
This is just one of the many traces in the field that can be traced back to the Polish Armed Forces!

https://www.infolotnicze.pl/2013/02/20/peter-van-der-linden-kampina-airborne-airborne-evaders-of-the-kampina-forest-recenzja/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0QE0H0vphU