Battle of Bzura: Kutno 1939 painting by Jerzy Kossak

[Krakow1]

Lt Michal Walicki received a VM posthumously. His cross number 12709.

[Krakow1]

Heavily wounded during the charge (open wound on left side of his chest) Lt Walicki died the same day in a barn where local people carried him. He died in arms of a 4th squadron chief Rudolf Zenkner.
From a relation of Lt Gerard Karolewicz commander of 1st Platoon 3rd Squadron 14 Ulans:
" Squadron on the right wing of the Regiment with its fearless Commander Walicki in the front rode in the clearing and scattered in a moment, germans opened fire with machine guns and tanks catching them in crossfire.
Nothing stopped the Ulans, unfortunately in the last charge death has harvested its bloody crop.
Squadron commander Walicki riding with a saber in his hand in fron of me all of sudden dipped his head as uncut flower and together with his horse "Zeus" fell.
I had no idea I would never see him again.
" Marian to horse " I yelled....
This was my last goodbye to my Commander and a friend "

From a book : "History of 14 Regiment Ulan Jazlowiecki " London 1988

[Krakow1]

Germans had noticed their bravery, and initially Lt Walicki, five NCO's and some Ulans were burried in a mass grave and given a gun salute.....
Once agin from the book "History of 14 Rgt...)

Later all were laid in a final resting place together with 2500 soldiers of Army "Pomorze " and Army "Poznan " in Lomianki.

[Krakow1]

Here is another painting by Edward Mesjasz, Lt Walicki is portrayed in the right lower corner

[Krakow1]

This was a last Cavalry charge in WW2 that involved a full Regiment of Ulans on horses.

[StefanM]

Zofia Kossak-Szczucka (1889–1968) was Jerzy Kossak's niece. The Kossak family were well known artists and poets going back four generations.

A link to other Jerzy Kossak paintings of Ulan's, a subject he specialised in painting:

Art database by Agra-Art - Jerzy Kossak artworks

[A.J. Zawadzki]

Itakdalej, congratulations on this impressive additional to your equally impressive collection. Most can only dream of having an original Kossak work adorn their walls.

And thank you for providing the detailed historical backdrop to the painting. The extra effort you have taken is much appreciated. It is evidence that you are not merely another trinket collector, but have an understanding and sincere respect for the history these items represent.

Cheers,
Tony

[Krakow1]

Tony,

Thanks as always for the kind words.

Just trying to preserve a record for future collectors/caretakers.

We all on the Forum are historians and we all have a thirst for history.

[A.J. Zawadzki]

Let’s just say that in my experience there are those where their collecting is more of an expression of their love for the history and then there are those more focused on scoring a good deal, making a hefty profit, or diversifying their investment portfolios. To each his own I suppose, but I have little patience with those primarily driven by the money side of the hobby. Just my two groszy on the subject.

Cheers, and thank again for posting a super thread,
Tony

[Krakow1]

Finally after a loving restoration : on the wall and in the original frame.