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May 31st 2006, the Polish 1st independent Parachute Brigade was awarded the highest Dutch Military Award for bravery, the "Militaire Willemsorde" for their actions during Operation Market Garden in september 1944. The Brigade Commander, Major General Sosabowski, was awarded the "Bronzen Leeuw" (Bronze Lion) for his leadership and courage during Operation Market Garden. This was the first time in 50 years that one of these medals has been awarded. Besides Polish veterans the 12 still living people who have been awarded the "Militaire Willemsorde" were also present. One of these 12 is a woman who was a member of the Dutch resistance during 1940-1945.

The Polish 6th airmobile brigade was presented the "Militaire Willemsorde". This unit has inherited the traditions of the 1st Independent Polish Parachute brigade which was disbanded in 1947.

        

At first the English high command claimed that the Polish airborne did not do a proper job in 1944.  General Sosabowski, once a strategic teacher at the Polish military academy, ended his working career as a factory worker in England. Now we know better about what the polish airborne really did in September 1944.

It did not seem possible to award these medals after so many years because Dutch law prevents this. After doing a lot of research they found a letter written by Queen Wilhelmina in 1946 in which she asks for the Brigade and the general to be awarded these medals. Therefore it became possible to award the medals after 62 years.

Queen Beatrix publicly admitted during her speech that the Polish soldiers were forgotten after the changes the world went through after 1945. She said that a historic mistake was hereby corrected

 

The "Militaire Willemsorder" is the highest (military) award in Holland. In her 34 years as Queen in Holland it's the first time that Queen Beatrix presents this medal.

The grandsons of General Sosabowski were presented the "Bronzen Leeuw" because the general passed away in 1967

 

Info about the medals:

The "Militaire Willemsorder" was founded on April 30th 1815. This to award Dutch military personnel who have distinguished themselves through actions of courage, policy and loyalty. in special circumstances this medal can also be awarded to foreign military personnel in case of similar actions. This medal comes in 4 grades: knight 4th class, knight 3rd, commander, knight of the cross. 6000 have been awarded since 1814, the last one in 1955.

 

The "Bronzen Leeuw" was founded on march 30th 1944. This to award Dutch military personnel that during battle distinguished themselves by very courageous action's.  In special circumstances this medal can be awarded to Dutch civilians or foreign military personnel as long as their action's were on behalf of the kingdom of the Netherlands. 1210 of these medals have been awarded since 1944.

 

                                                 

Pictures of the "Bronzen Leeuw"    and the        "Militaire Willemsorde".

The "Bronze Leeuw" medal which was recently awarded to General Sosabowski is

now on display in the Airborne museum at Oosterbeek. The medal is to be part

of the permanent display. See

www.airbornemuseum.org/nieuws/nieuws2006_nl.htm for details