By Juliusz L Englert and Krzysztof Barbarski

The 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade was formed in 1941 under the command of Colonel, later Major General, Stanislaw Sosabowski.  The Brigade consisted of officers and men who had come to Britain by various means from Poland, USSR, France and many other countries.  Their one aim was to continue the struggle started in 1939 for the freedom of their country.  The Brigade grew gradually, in 1944 reaching approximately 2500 officers and men.
The primary purpose of the Brigade was to reinforce the expected uprising of the Polish Underground Army.  However, due to changed political circumstances and at the request of the British authorities the Brigade was placed at the disposal of the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces, Gen. Eisenhower, on June 6 1944.  This is the complete story of the Brigade, General Sosabowski and, in  particular, their participation in the Battle of Arnhem.