Born: October 2, 1924
Died: February 24, 2008, Gdańsk, Poland
Buried: Gdańsk, Poland – Łostowicki Cemetery
Medals: Polish –Cross of Valor, 1 Armored Division Cross, Home Army Cross; French – Order of the Legion of Honor
Fates during the war:
In 1940, Zygmunt Haas joined Polish conspiracy – Związek Walki Zbrojnej, where he was responsible for, among others, distribution of the underground press. In 1941, he was detained by the Germans during a round-up on the streets of Warsaw and deported to forced labor in Germany. When he received the news that the Germans had killed his father, he fled to France and then reached Great Britain through Spain.
In September 1942, he joined the 1st Armored Division in Scotland. He fought with the Division throughout the campaign in Europe as a soldier of its 8th Rifle Battalion. Seriously wounded in the fighting at Abbeville, awarded the Cross of Valor.
Post-war fate:
After the war, he returned to Poland and settled in Gdańsk. He was one of the founders of the first Polish Field Circle of the 1st Armored Division (in Gdańsk) of the World Association of Circles of this division. He was its last president. He collected materials, edited and published the Circle’s Bulletin. He actively participated in many celebrations and events related to the 1st Armored Division in Poland and abroad. Promoted to the rank of captain. With his death in 2008, the Gdańsk Circle ceased its activities in August of that year.
author: Aneta Hoffmann
source: „Kombatant” no. 3/2008