Alfred Alojzy Wieliszekwas born on 4 August 1924 in Lódz, Poland.

 

Captain Alfred Wieliszek served in the 8th Infantry Battalion in the 1st Polish Armored Division of Gen. Stanisław Maczka.

 

 

“On 1 August 1944, we landed in Normandy. Two months after D-Day. After five years of wandering, we were getting closer to our fatherland. At Caen we encountered heavy German resistance. But they were trapped. From Hill 262 at Falaise we took part in the biggest slaughter of the war. Blood, blood and some more blood. The narrow paths were paved with horses, carts, soldiers, and military equipment. There was no more going through. We had hurt the German a lot. The uniforms of some of our commanders were covered with blood, and from then on we were called "Blood Shirts"".

 

"Three days before the war I played with the national team of Poland against Hungary. I don't remember the result anymore. I was 16 then. Of course I've always been a sportsman. I was the captain of the Polish military teams in England, Scotland and Germany. In Breda I played for NAC and alongside my job I was UEFA coach of the UWV, Boimeer and Hero teams”.

 

"In 1956, my wife Greet Pinxteren and I took over the cafe from her father on the Hague Road. That was a sports and folk cafe, a place where the neighborhood came together. There were also all sorts of associations that came to the café. We hosted the carnival, different sports, billiards, a travel association, and later also the Polish association. We worked in the café for 36 years. "

 

"Poland was a poor country and our athletes wanted to go to the Olympics, so we tried to help. Every year we organized a Liberation tournament and we collected money to be able to let them go to the Games.”

 

Alfred passed away on 29 July 2009 in Breda. His grave is located in Breda at the Zuylen Cemetery on Haagweg Street, right next to the Maczko Museum and the Main Polish Military Cemetery.

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Source: 1st Polish Armoured Division Facebook post

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