British Awards for Polish Soldiers

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation for the Distinguished Flying Cross :

F/Lt. Franciszek Józef Jakusz-Gostomski 76696 Pilot 300 Squadroon

Rank:
Acting Flight Lieutenant
Unit:
No. 300 (Masovian) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Action:
Recommendation drafted 29 April 1942 when he had flown 32 sorties (186 hours).
This officer has participated in many operational sorties and has always pressed home his attacks with the greatest determination. On 25th July 1941, he was compelled to alight on the sea, but due to his skill and courage his crew were saved. This officer has displayed superb airmanship at all times and on several occasions has extricated his crew from difficult and dangerous situations. His courage and devotion to duty have been an example to others."
Details:
Award approved 5 September 1942.



Franciszek Józef Jakusz-Gostomski in the PAF in the UK 1940-1943



Awaiting the arrival of AVM Robert Dickinson Oxland to present them with the DFC Franciszek Józef Jakusz-Gostomski is standing 3rd from the right of picture.



F/Lt Franciszek Józef Jakusz-Gostomski receiving his Distinguished Flying Cross from AVM Oxland



After receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross Franciszek Józef Jakusz-Gostomski is standing 4th from the left.

Also awarded the Silver Cross Virtuti Militari Numbered 9275, KW x 4, ML x2, DFC.



Franciszek Józef Jakusz-Gostomski plane crashed killing all onboard on the 15th September 1943.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for the Distinguished Flying Cross :

F/O. Stanisław Liszka P0101 Pilot

No. 300 (Masovian) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on: September 5th, 1942

Action:

Recommendaton states :

"Flying Officer Liszka has completed a large number of sorties including attacks against targets at Berlin, Hamburg, Bremen, Frankfurt, Mannheim and Brest. Despite heavy enemy opposition he has pressed home his attacks often from a very low level. On 14th August 1941, on the return flight from Hannover, the aircraft in which Flying Officer Liszka was second pilot was subjected to several determined attacks by an enemy fighter. One wing was severely damaged, but due to his skilful evasive action Flying Officer Liszka was able to return to this country and make a safe landing. He has displayed courage and devotion to duty of a high standard and set an excellent example."

Details:

Award approved 5 September 1942.

Recommendation drafted 29 April 1942 when he had flown 34 sorties (202 hours).



Flying Officer Stanisław Liszka



Distinguished Flying Cross obverse

Flying Officer Stanisław Liszka

Other awards : Virtuti Militari Silver Cross Numbered 9280, KW x 4, ML x 3, DFC, 1939-1945 Star, Air Crew Europe Star, Defence Medal, 1939-1945 War Medal.

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another DFC Recommendation this time for :


Rank: Acting Squadron Leader

Unit: No. 301 (Pomeranian) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on: September 5th, 1942

Action:

Recommendation states :

"This officer is an exceptionally skilful operational pilot. He possesses a fine fighting spirit and, with complete disregard to danger, he always endeavours to press home his attacks to the full. He is a fine captain who, by his experience, high standard of airmanship and courage, has gained an enviable reputation for daring and reliability. On one occasion in April 1941, when attacking Kiel, he made a run over the target at 10,000 feet in order to ensure accuracy of bombing. Although his aircraft was badly damaged by the enemy's ground fire he succeeded in flying it safely back to this country. Flying Officer Pozyczka has worked extremely hard in training young pilots, both by day and night, thus rendering immense service."

Details: Award approved 5 September 1942.

Recommendation drafted 29 January 1942 when he was still a Flying Officer and had flown 32 sorties (185 operational hours).



A/S/Ldr Teofil Pożyczka ready to take off



Kpt pil Teofil Pożyczka



Teofil Pożyczka after receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross



The Awards of Wing Commander Teofil Pożyczka

1) British Distingushed Service Order

2) British Distinguished Flying Cross

3) Polish Virtuti Militari Silver Cross Numbered 9128

4) Polish Cross of Valour with 3 Bars

5) British 1939-1945 Star

6) British Air Crew Europe Star

7) British 1939-1945 Defence Medal

8) British 1939-1945 War Medal with MiD

9) British General Service Medal with Bar for Malaya

10) Polish Air Force Medal with 3 Bars.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation for the Distinguished Flying Cross :

F/Lt. Józef Wojcik, Service Number : 76650



Unit: No. 301 (Pomeranian) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on: September 5th, 1942

Action: Recommendation:

"This officer has served with the squadron since its formation. He has participated in 26 operational missions, on 20 of which he has acted as captain of aircraft. Both in Battle and Wallington aircraft he has displayed outstanding devotion to duty and courage which have been a source of inspiration to his crew. His skill and bravery were well in evidence on the night of 14th August 1941, when, following a successful attack on Hanover, his aircraft was attacked by a Messerschmitt 110. In the first attack, the rear gunner's turret was put out of action, the rear gunner himself being wounded, the hydraulic system damaged and a large hole was torn in the rudder. In the circumstances Flying Officer Wojcik deemed it inadvisable to continue to fight against the attacking aircraft and decided to re-enter the anti-aircraft barrage which was extremely severe. Despite the hazards entailed, in this way he succeeded in evading the attacker. Flying Officer Wojcik finally flew his aircraft back to base where he made a safe landing with the undercarriage retracted and bomb doors open."


Award approved 5 September 1942.

Recommendation drafted 1 September 1941 when he had flown 26 sorties (172 operational hours).



Distinguished Flying Cross

In April 1942 Józef Wojcik married Mildred Cooper, then on the 5th October he received his Distinguished Flying Cross and 8 days later he was killed on a Bombing Raid over Europe.

Józef Wojcik also Received the Following Awards :

1) Polish Virtuti Militari Numbered : 9051,

2) Polish Cross of Valour with 3 Bars

3) Air Force Medal

4) British Distinguished Flying Cross

5) 1939-1945 Star

6) Air Crew Europe Star

7) 1939-1945 Defence Medal

8) 1939-1945 War Medal

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation for the Distinguished Flying Cross :

Squadron Leader Kazimierz Nowak, Service Number : P0095

Unit: No. 305 (Wielpolska) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on: August 5th, 1942

Action: Recommendation:

"Flying Officer Nowak has completed 21 operational missions, including attacks on Emden, Brest, Mannheim, Berlin and Wilhelmshaven. He has at all times displayed outstanding ability as a navigator which has ensured the success of the operations on which he has been engaged. The skill, fearlessness and devotion to duty shown by this officer have established a high morale in his crew and in his squadron."

Details: Award approved 5 September 1942.

Recommendation drafted 30 January 1942 when he had flown 21 sorties (111 hours).



Distinguished Flying Cross obverse



The award ceremony showing 9 of the 11 awarded the D.F.C. that day.

Squadron Leader Kazimierz Nowak was awarded the Following :

1) Polish Virtuti Militari Numbered 9126

2) Polish Cross of Valour with 3 Bars

3) Polish Air Force Medal

4) British Distinguished Flying Cross

5) British 1939-1945 Star

6) British Air Crew Europe Star

7) 1939-1945 Defence Medal

8) 1939-1945 War Medal

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

The following Recommendation is for the Award of the Distinguished Flying Medal :

Awarded to :

F/Sgt Stanisław Jensen, Service Number 780044



F/Sgt Stanisław Jensen during award ceremony



F/Sgt Stanisław Jensen

In flying gear

Recommendation States :

"Sergeant Jensen possesses personal courage and leadership of a high order. He is an outstanding Sergeant pilot of his squadron and combined a fine fighting spirit with a high standard of flying and tactical skill. He has taken part in raids on Boulogne, Calais, Anterp, Cologne, Berlin, Hamburg and Mannheim."



Details: Recommendation drafted 25 June 1941 when he had flown 20 sorties (118 hours).

On the night of the 12th April 1943, the plane Stanisław Jensen was piloting was shot down and crashed near Calvados in France



The crashed Halifax II BB340, NF-D of 138 Squadron the morning after it crashed.

F/Sgt Stanisław Jensen was made a P.O.W. and was sent to a prisoner of war camp after being interrogated by the gestapo, he survived the war and returned to Poland where he died on the 17th February 1984.



Grave of Stanisław Jensen D.F.M.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another British Recommendation this time for the Distinguished Service Cross awarded to : Mieczysław Józef Woźniak,

"The King has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards for good services in O.R.P. “Blyskawica” in the North African campaign". The Distinguished Service Cross to Sub-Lieutenant Mieczyslaw Jozef Wozniak, Polish Navy.

Por.mar. Mieczysław Józef Woźniak.



Por.mar. Mieczysław Józef Woźniak and his wife Naomi on their Wedding Day.



Mieczysław Józef Woźniak Awards

1) Polish Cross of Valour

2) British Distinguished Service Cross

3) British 1939-1945 Star

4) British Africa Star

5) British Atlantic Star

6) British 1939-1945 War Medal

7) French Legion de Honneur

Born on the 27th August 1918, he died in 1972 in the Persian Gulf.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another British Award this time the Distinguished Service Medal awarded to Bosman Tadeusz Domicz

"The King has been graciously pleased to approve the following Appointments and Awards to officers and men of the Polish Submarine “Sokol”. The Distinguished Service Medal to Chief Petty Officer Tadeusz Domicz, for two Mediterranean war patrols since October 1941".

He Served onboard the O.R.P. Sokół, the award was announced on the 16th April 1942 and awarded in the Admiralty Building on the 28th July 1942 by Admiral Sir Dudley Pound.



Distinguished Service Medal obverse

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Naval Officer awarded a British Award this time the C.B.E.



C.B.E. (Military Division)

"The King has been graciously pleased to approve the following Appointment to the Order of the British Empire for distinguished services and helpful co-operation with the Royal Navy: — To be a Companion of the Order of the British Empire Engineer Captain Stanisław Rymszewicz, Polish Navy".

Captain Stanisław Rymszewicz was Chief of Technical and Armament Section of the Polish Naval Headquarters from 1940 to March 1947.

I could only find one photograph of Stanisław Rymszewicz that was taken in Paris in May 1928. Rymszewicz is standing next to Komandor Czernecki



Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another British Award to an Officer of the Polish Navy, this time a Bar to the Distinguished Service Cross, awarded to Lieutenant Commander Tadeusz Gorazdowski.

"For leadership and skill shown as senior officer of a force of British and Polish ships in a successful action with enemy minesweepers on 14 July 1944".





2nd November 1943 Gorazdowski receives his Distinguished Service Cross, from Admiral Cunningham



Kmdr ppor Tadeusz Gorazdowski Virtuti Militari Legitymacja and Cross Numbered 11073.



Plymouth 13th December 1941 Lt Commander Tadeusz Gorazdowski Commanding Officer of the ORP Krakowiak congratulated by fellow Officers after receiving the O.B.E. from Admiral Forbes Commander in Chief Plymouth



Grave of Commander Tadeusz Gorazdowski

Best wishes

Andrzej