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Thank to joint measures undertaken by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Defence, and Army Training Centre, as well as the personal involvement of Gen. Mieczysław Cieniuch, the Portuguese Ministry of National Defence has decided to hand over a unique model of the Cromwell Mk VIII tank to the Army Training Centre.

The tank (A27L Centaur Mk I, type C, QF 6-pounder gun) was produced in August 1943 in Great Britain. The tanks were used by the 1st Armoured Division led by Gen. Stanisław Maczek, including by the 10th Mounted Rifle Regiment. This military unit completed the entire combat route from Normandy to Wilhelmshaven. The tanks were also used in Great Britain for training purposes by the 16th Armoured Brigade. Cromwells were the favourite tanks of General Maczek, who used them in 1944-45 as a mobile command centre for his division. After the end of World War Two, the UK handed over several dozen Cromwell tanks to Portugal. Now, thanks to a great gesture by the Portuguese side, we will have a chance to rediscover this unique Polish military relic.

“In 1945 Poles awaited the Cromwells and Shermans of Generals Maczek and Anders – to no avail. I am very happy that now, 70 years later, thanks to a wonderful gesture by our Portuguese friends, an original Cromwell will make its way to Poznan. This is a great way to remember the 10th Mounted Rifle Regiment!” said MFA Undersecretary of State Bogusław Winid.


The official ceremony to mark the hand-over of the tank to Poland - attended by Poland's ambassador to Portugal Bronisław Misztal - is planned for 14 June 2013 in Lisbon. The vehicle will be transported to Poland by specialists from the 1st Logistical Brigade of the Armed Forces Support Inspectorate in Bydgoszcz, who already brought two Patton tanks from Greece in September 2012. After arriving in Poland, the tank will undergo a comprehensive restoration at the hands of experts from the Army Training Centre in Poznan. It will then be put up for public display. Only a dozen or so Cromwell tanks in such good condition are still around today.