#Story
The tragedy of Polish liberators
The tragedy of the Polish liberators was that they could not or would not return to their homeland after Germany's capitulation. A free Polish state, which the Polish exiles had fought for since the German invasion of 1939, turned out to be an illusion. Their homeland was now within the sphere of influence of Communism and the Soviet Union had annexed eastern Poland. Rittmeister Jan Salwa's life also took a different turn.
On 13 April 1945, thirteen Polish tanks under the command of Rittmeister Jan Salwa drove into Veendam without a struggle. Due to fuel shortages of some of their vehicles, they stayed there for two days until fuel was brought. On 15 April Salwa's tanks left Veendam, and Canadian troops followed them. Despite his brief presence there, Salwa was never forgotten in Veendam.
Like other Polish liberators unable or unwilling to return home, Salwa's life also took a different turn. His unit carried out occupation duties in Germany until 1947. On 13 June 1947, he married Helena Kotorska in Tinnen, Emsland, where his squadron was stationed,. When his squadron was disbanded, he returned to a camp in England where former soldiers were prepared for civilian life.
In 1952, the Salwa couple emigrated to Australia and the former Rittmeister began working for a typewriter manufacturer.
In 1970, at the invitation of the Municipal Council, Salwa returned once more to Veendam to attend the festivities surrounding the celebration of 25 years of liberation. On that occasion, the square near the Sorghvliethal was named after him and he himself unveiled the street sign. In 1985 he was appointed an Honorary Citizen of Veendam.