The Netherlands
On Tuesday 3 October 1944, the 1st Polish Armoured Division of Major General Stanisław Maczek repelled all German counterattacks at the Dutch-Belgian border and resumed the advance to Baarle-Nassau in the Netherlands. One battalion, the 10th Dragoons, was given the task of attacking the village from the south. The 1st Company would advance via Schaluinen, but things went terribly wrong there.

Sad memories
R. Dyczka, a veteran of the 1st Company, was interviewed for the Dutch newspaper ‘De Stem’ 35 years after the events and became emotional. When he saw the edge of the forest of the Schaluinen estate, the memories of that terrible day came flooding back. He and his eleven comrades were tasked to take the village in three so-called Brencarriers (small open tracked vehicles). However, he enemy had previously placed explosives in trees in the bend in the road, and as soon as the three carriers passed, they exploded. The Polish soldeirs were trapped, and in the ensuing firefight all soldiers were wounded or killed. Dyczka was the only one who came out of the battle unscathed, but the memory will always remain with him.

Still successful
Despite the fierce German resistance, the Polish attack achieved its goal. Baarle-Nassau and Schaluinen were liberated at the end of the day.