Liberation Monument Tielt

About

The Liberation Monument of Tielt is a tank monument in memory of the Polish liberators of this city, placed on General Maczekplein in Tielt. The monument consists of a Sherman Fireflytank with a plaque, a mural, cobblestone and several flags and was inaugurated in 1979 by Polish general Stanisław Maczek.

Historical background: On September 8, 1944, Tielt was liberated by General Maczek and his 1st Polish Armoured Division. In the inner city there were some skirmishes of allied tanks with the German occupiers, and two tanks were destroyed. Not long after this Maczek the Honorary Citizenship and several monuments and memorial sites were established. That's how General Maczek Square got its name.

Placement in 1979: In 1979, the current tank (also without a motor) was purchased by Tielt to serve as a Liberation Monument. This was an initiative of Mayor Daniel Vander Meulen. After a sponsoring action and long negotiations, Tielt managed to obtain one of the three tanks from Stockem's barracks near Aarlen, from the...