Rafal Kostrzewa

Unknown Polish Paratrooper Identified After 80 Years in Arnhem 🇬🇧🇵🇱🇳🇱 A dedication service at the grave of Bombadier Kazmierz Chartonowicz was held in the Arnhem-Oosterbeek War Cemetery on 18th September. Bombadier Kazmierz Chartonowicz served in the Anti-Tank (Airlanding) Battery of the 1st Polish (Independent) Parachute Brigade. He was believed to be killed between the 23rd and 25thSeptember 1944, manning a six pounder anti-tank gun beside Ploegsepad, close to Benendorpseweg, to the east of the Old Church in Lower Oosterbeek. The position was protecting the south-east section of the lower perimeter when it came under attack from a German self-propelled gun, a Stug. The gun team were all killed or wounded. Originally, given a field burial in a nearby garden alongside another Polish soldier, Gunner Jozef Skaczko, when the bodies were transferred to the Cemetery, Skaczko was buried in a marked grave 25.B.18. However, the neighbouring grave 25.B.17 was marked only as A Soldier of the 1939-1945 War, Polish Forces. As a consequence of the diligent research of Mateusz Mroz, who’s grandfather was an intelligence officer in the brigade, the unknown grave has now been identified. This is the third such dedication service in the last six years as a consequence of the efforts of Mateusz. It follows the rededications for Corporal Edward Trochim in 2021 and Lance Sergeant Edward Morchonowicz in 2024. Bombadier Chartonowicz was born on 30 July 1922 in Baronowicze, Augustow, Bialystok, which lies in North-Eastern Poland. He was only 17 at the outbreak of war and is likely to have deported to Siberia and spent 2 years in a Soviet Gulag. Following, the German invasion of Russia, an amnesty allowed men to volunteer for the newly formed Polish army in exile. He is likely to have been transferred from Siberia through Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to Iran and from there either through India or direct to Durban for training in the Pietermaritzburg area. Troops then embarked for Scotland via various routes, stopping potentially at Cape Town or Rio de Janiero or New York before completing the crossing to Britain. Once in Britain, he is recorded as serving with the Polish Forces under British command from 1 April 1942. He undertook parachute training at Ringway and was awarded eagles wings number 3519. At the Battle of Arnhem, he was one of the small advance force that landed in one of ten gliders on the 18th September. Initially, after landing his gun defended the Divisional Headquarters at the Hartenstein, but as the perimeter came under increased pressure the gun was moved to defend the lower perimeter. The service was attended by representatives from the Polish and British Embassy’s, the Polish Defence Attache, Polish Special forces, the Parachute Regiment, local Mayors, the Dutch Body Recovery and Identification unit, the Arnhem 1944 Fellowship and the Director of the Airborne Museum. Also present among the well-attended service were several family members of men that served in the Brigade at Arnhem, including Mateusz Mroz. Graham Francis, Arnhem 1944 Fellowship The Polish Heritage Flight wishes to thank Graham Francis, Nigel Leaney & the Arnhem 1944 Fellowship for sharing this story. The Arnhem 1944 Fellowship is a UK-registered charity dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Battle of Arnhem. It maintains bonds of friendship, records veterans’ experiences for future generations, protects historical heritage, commemorates those who fought and lost their lives, and promotes public understanding of the Battle. Find out more about their important work by visiting the Arnhem 1944 Fellowship web site. Remember. Inspire. Unity. 🇬🇧🇵🇱🇳🇱