On 21 September 1944, Polish paratroopers landed in Driel, Overbetuwe municipality. They took up positions along the Honingveldsestraat, a few hundred metres south of the village.

The next day, during the morning of 22 September, German troops attacked with armoured vehicles and the Polish troops retreated via the gardens of the Dorpsstraat to Driel village. German infantry followed closely behind.

During this retreat, Polish soldier Anatol Bier was killed. He was buried in a field grave located near the Baltussen Cannery. Cora Baltussen, the daughter of the Baltussen family, was the first to make contact with the Polish forces located near the Cannery, and she played an important role as a liaison between the Polish and the local population of Driel.