Ministers, Your Excellencies, Distinguished guests,
One year ago, I had the privilege of attending the 80th anniversary commemorations for Operation MARKET GARDEN here in the Netherlands.
I’ve attended many memorial events since, marking eight decades since the allies pushed back Hitler’s forces and secured victory over the Nazis in World War Two…..
….. and I’ve learnt a great deal about the heroes from many different nations who fought so bravely to achieve that final victory…..
But the Op MARKET GARDEN anniversary last year was particularly important…..
Because it didn’t just enrich my knowledge of this complex, but ultimately unsuccessful operation.
It made me realise that in the aftermath of the campaign, history had failed to honour the extraordinary efforts of Polish forces to liberate the Netherlands during that daring airborne operation in September 1944…..
In particular, the First Polish Independent Parachute Brigade paratroopers under the command of Major General Stanislaw Sosabowski, who displayed guts and determination under incredibly difficult conditions.
That’s why, in June this year, I was so proud…..
On behalf of the United Kingdom…..
To acknowledge the outstanding contribution of the 1st Independent Polish Parachute Brigade and Major General Sosabowski …..
And express our gratitude for their heroism by presenting a banner to their modern-day descendants, the 6th Polish Airborne Brigade.
Today, we have another opportunity to reinforce that gratitude, by unveiling this plaque.
I also want to acknowledge those who campaigned for many years for this recognition, including the late Arnhem hero Major Tony Hibbert MBE MC and the late Cora Baltussen of Driel.
The plaque is an enduring testimony to the pivotal role that Polish troops played during Op MARKET GARDEN, and to the deep bonds that were forged with their British counterparts, and indeed with the people of the Netherlands.
At a time when Europe’s borders are being threatened once again…..
And just days after Russia’s wholly unacceptable drone incursion into Polish airspace…..
It is a permanent reminder of our three countries’ shared values…..
And our determination to stand together, shoulder-to-shoulder, in the future, to protect those values, just as we did eighty-one years ago.
It is an honour to be here, and to send a resounding message to all our Polish friends:
The service and courage of your armed forces during the dark days of September 1944 will never be forgotten.
May their valour, their sacrifice, and their gallantry continue to inspire us.
Thank you.