Although it has been more than 80 years since the end of the Second World War, it remains important to commemorate all the Allies who lost their lives in fighting in and around Alphen (nrd.Br. near Breda) for our and also your freedom.
They were killed by acts of war. We strive to place their name, their story, their image with these people and thereby honor, thank and keep the memory of them alive.
Matysiak, Antoni, lance-corporal died at age 32
Antoni Marysiak', born on June 7, 1912 in Zawada district Pieszew (PL). Antoni was lance-corporal 1st class with the 24th Regiment of Uhlans and was also killed during the battle for Terover in Alphen on 5 October 1944.
Field graves were made there next to the destroyed tank T 288600, behind the farm of Jos. Oomen.
In that tank, Korbel Józef, Kroczak Jan Kazimierz and Matysiak Antoni lost their lives. Later they were reburied at the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Mook.
There were a total of eight Polish soldiers who died in the outskirts of Alphen. For unknown reasons, they are later exhumed and transferred to the British War Cemetery in Mook, the Netherlands.
These were:
DŁUGAJCZYK, A
KAUF, F
KORBEL, J
KROCZAK, J
MATYSIAK A
PSIUK, A
SZRAMOWSKI, R
WOWRA, A
What happened on October 5, 1944
After weeks of rumours about the imminent (possible) liberation by the upcoming Polish division, the time had come on October 5, 1944.
Here was fought by various units of the Polish Armoured Division.
They encountered a lot of resistance from the Germans who were stationed in the woods near Boshoven.
Their task was to ensure that the railway remained intact, so that material and troops could be transported via the railway. This railway line was the dividing line between Poland on one side and the Germans on the other.
The Poles arrive in Alphen via Terover, Hondseind, Boshoven and Kwaalburg. This was aimed at the heart of the enemy's defense in the triangle Tilburg-Turnhout-Breda.
The regiment started the attack from the southeast (Veldbraak) of Baarle-Nassau along the hamlet/road Oordeel-Heikant to take the northern part of Alphen from the east.
The regiment with the 2nd and 3rd squadrons in the front line and a squadron of dragoons and the [1st squadron of the 24th Regiment Ulanen] in the front line.
The reconnaissance platoon supported the action from the east. The tanks had to deal with harsh conditions and minefields, but still captured Terover-Hondseind (hamlet southeast of Alphen).
After leaving Terover-Hondseind, the 3rd Squadron encountered enemy artillery positions of the enemy. The regiment was weighed down by heavy anti-tank fire.
The 3rd squadron destroyed two 155 mm guns, an 88 mm gun and a SdKfz 173 Jagdpanzer V "Jagdpanther".
The conquered territory was successfully defended. Almost the entire battalion of the German 51st Flieger Regiment surrendered.
The 24th Regiment Ulanen was ordered to stop the attack and reorganize the defensive positions. The battle for Alphen was not over yet. The village came under German artillery fire and was in the front line for 3 weeks.
Literature
Jan van Gils and Karel Geerts "Oorlogsslach†offers Alphen en Riel" (Edition 2022)
Liberation newspaper Alphen & Chaam (2020 edition)
Sources
Research and photos: Jan van Gils and Karel Geerts (Doss.nr. 6.1)
Research: G.v.d.Klundert-Bertens
Support Our Charitable Foundation
Your donation helps us deliver projects like For Evermore, which educate and inspire future generations to remember those who gave their lives in the two World Wars. With your support, we can keep their stories alive and ensure they are never forgotten.
As well as making a donation today, you might also consider leaving a gift in your will to the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation. Legacy gifts, large or small, help us preserve this vital heritage for generations to come.
Thank you for helping us honour their memory so we can tell Every Story. For evermore.
