Edmund LEWANDOWSKI
Edmund Lewandowski was born on 29 September 1920 in Mlyniec, Poland.
When WW2 broke out in Poland, Edmund served in the 63rd Torun Infantry Regiment. On 1 September 1939, he was sent to defend Warsaw. He was captured by the Germans on his 19th birthday and, along with thousands of other Polish soldiers was forced to march from camp to camp under deplorable circumstances. They were then loaded into cattle wagons, where Edmund escaped with a friend. He was arrested again and forced into serving in the German army.
Once again, Edmund escapes. He reaches the south of France. There, Edmund regains strength and through further diversions he ends up in Tunisia and then in Algeria, from where he sails to Liverpool. In the Strait of Gibraltar, the ship is torpedoed and sinks. Edmund survives and boards another ship. The journey lasts 6 weeks and all this time he is constantly seasick.
After arriving in Liverpool, he goes on to Edinburgh where he recovers. There he joined the 1st Polish Armored Division and ends up in the Reconnaissance Regiment 10, Mounted Regiment. Because he escaped the Germans twice, he uses the pseudonym Burza, instead of Lewandowski until the end of the war.
On July 31, 1944, he set foot ashore at Courseulles-sur-Mer. He fought with the division. making his way to the North. Arriving in Breda, he met his future wife, Toos Mertens in Wolfwood.
On 28 December he is promoted to tank commander. At the end of the war, he was part of the occupying force in Germany. During this period, he marries Toos Mertens. During his time in Germany, he prepares for a life outside the army. On 18 April 1947, Edmund was officially discharged
He settles in Ulvenhout, where he will start to build a new life. Going back to Poland is not an option for him. He works at N. V. Volt for some years, before he and his wife open a holiday resort in Wolfwood.
In 1959 the borders with Poland open and he visits for the first time, together with his family.
Edmund died in Breda on 29 October 2002.
Source: 1st Polish Armoured Division Facebook post