British Awards for Polish Soldiers

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for the Military Medal awarded to a soldier of the 1st Armoured Division :

Serjeant Stanisław Gorski

"On 10th September 1944 when the Infantry Company Serjeant Gorski's machine gun section was attached to received orders to withdraw across the "Canal de Ghent" Map reference chart 1: 100,000, 976873. Serjeant Gorski ordered his section to withdraw while he, on his own initiative, remained at the machine gun post alone, in order to cover the withdrawl, 2 of his men were killed and 2 badly wounded. In spite of being wounded himself he refused to withdraw from his post and personally evacuated the wounded, in the section had already withdrawn. He then continued to cover the withdrawl, until the entire section had reachedcover and then left the post taking the machine gun with him".

Recommended by : Officer Commanding Division Machine Gun Company.

Approved by : Major General Maczek, GOC, 1st Polish Armoured Division

Approved by : Lieutenant General G. G. Simonds, Commanding 2nd Canadian Corps

Approved by : Lieutenant General G. G. Simmonds, A/GOC-in-C, First Canadian Army

Approved by : Field Marshal B. L. Montgomery, Commander in Chief, 21st Army Group.



Military Medal Obverse

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Military Medal Recommendation for a Corporal/Officer cadet from the 10th Mounted Rifles Regiment (Armoured Reconnaissance).

Corporal/Officer Cadet 253 Józef Doruch.

"Corporal.Cadet Doruch Józef, No. 253, on 7th September 1944 during the action at Hooglede, near Roulers, Belgium, acting as second rear link (first rear link being wounded and his tank damaged) in spite of the wound and having his radio operator killed and his tank pierced through by the anti tank gun, performed his duties till the end of this action in heavy fire. Only after strict order of the squadron OC he proceeded out of the battle with great skill taking the rest of the crew out of danger. Owing to his bravery and devotion , radio connection between the Commanding Officer Regiment and Squadron was maintained".

Recommended by : Rtm. Jerzy Wasilewski, Commanding Officer 10th Polish Mounted Rifles Regiment

Approved by : Major General Maczek, GOC 1st Polish Armoured Division.

Approved by : Lieutenant General G.G. Simmonds, Commanding 2nd Canadian Corps.

Approved by : Lieutenant General G. G. Simmonds, A/GOC-in-C First Canadian Army

Approved by : Field Marshal B. L. Montgomery, Commander in Chief, 21st Army Group.



Military Medal obverse

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for the Military Cross for Podporucznik Adam Dzierżek, 24PUL.

2nd Lieutenant 05317 Adam Dzierżek

"On the 4th September, 2nd Lieutenant Adam Dzierżek, in charge of a Reconnaissance Troop of the 24th Lancers Regiment, was responsible for the capture of the village of Rouisseville and by his excellent leadership and personal courage, enabled the Regiment to cut off the retreat of the enemy".

Recommended by : Major Romuald Dowbor, Officer Commanding of the 24th Armoured lancers Regiment.

Approved by : Major General Maczek, GOC 1st Polish Armoured Division.

Approved by : Lieutenant General G. G. Simmonds, Commanding 2nd Canadian Corps.

Approved by : Lieutenant General G. G. Simmonds, A/GOC-in-C, First Canadian Army

Approved by : Field Marshal B. L. Montgomery, Commander in Chief, 21st Army Group.



Major Romuald Dowbor talking with Podporucznik Adam Dzierżek



Military Cross Obverse



Podporucznik Adam Dzierżek Awards including the Virtuti Militari Silver Cross Numbered 10363 and the British Military Cross and the Cross of Valour.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for the Military Cross award to an Officer of the 2nd Polish Corps.

2nd Lieutenant Zenon Grudziński, 11th Signals Battalion.

"As Officer Commanding line section of the Polish Corps, signals 2nd Lieutenant Grudziński has worked both efficiently and with untiring effort. On many occasions he has worked with his line parties, laying and maintaining lines under the most difficult and hazardous conditions. He has been a fine example and inspiration to his men, leading them and working with them with great coolness and often with complete disregard for his own safety in minefields and under heavy enemy artillery fire. In his important task of maintaining communications he has worked with courage and spirit and has shown himself to be a fine leader".

Recommended by : Lieutenant General W. Anders C.B. Commanding 2nd Polish Corps.

Approved by : Lieutenant General R. L. McCreery, GOC Eighth Army.



Military Cross Obverse

Also awarded the Monte Cassino Cross Numbered 40451

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

The last Recommendation for today is for the Military Medal award to an N.C.O. from the Carpathian Lancers.

Serjeant Paweł Kuligowski

"On 21st August 1944 Serjeant Kuligowski was leading a reinforced troop of the Carpathian Lancers making a reconnaissance of Barchi, on entering the locality he encountered some British Armoured Cars of the Household Cavalry Regiment who were being forced to withdraw under pressure from a counter attack. By superior numbers of enemy infantry, Serjeant Kuligowski at once attacked with his own troop and by his vigorous action dispersed the enemy infantry, taking a number of prisoners and inflicting heavy casualties. He distinguished himself in this action by his own outstanding personal courage and leadership",

Recommended by : Lieutenant General W. Anders C.B., Commanding 2nd Polish Corps

Approved by : Lieutenant General R. L. McCreery, GOC Eighth Army.



Military Medal Obverse



Paweł Kuligowski

Also awarded the Virtuti Militari Silver Cross Numbered 9942, Monte Cassino Cross Numbered 38427.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for the 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division, 2nd Polish Corps.

Recipient : Pulkownik Zygmunt Łakiński.

Recommendation states :

"The 3rd Carpathian Divisional Artillery, played a very great part in the success of the operations which resulted in the capture of Monte Cassino by its accuracy of fire and zeal with which it went into action. Colonel Łakiński personally prepared the Artillery plan for the battle and put it into operation with great skill.
During operations, he has been a model and inspiration to his staff by his tireless energy and calmness under all circumstances, however difficult".

Recommended by : Lt. General W. Anders, Commanding 2 Polish Corps

Approved by : Lt. General R.L. McCreery G.O.C. Eighth Army

Dated : 19th December 1944

Award : OBE





Gen.Bryg. Zygmunt Łakiński, after being promoted to General of Brygady, OBE Ribbon bottom right.

Best wishes

Andrzej

p.s. The Ribbon Bars are as follows :

Top Row :

Virtuti Militari (Gold Cross Nr : 81), Virtuti Militari (Silver Cross Nr : 9985), Cross of Independence, Knights Cross of Polonia Restituta.

Middle Row :

1918-1921 Cross of Valour with 1 Bar, Gold Cross of Merit with Swords, Gold Cross of Merit, Monte Cassino Cross ( Nr : 1549)

Bottom Row :

1918-1921 War Commemorative Medal, 10th Anniversary of Independence Medal, Long Service Medal, British, Order of the British Empire (Officer).

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation for the OBE, for an Officer of HQ. Base 2 Polish Corps

Colonel Hugon Zallmann

Recommendation States :

"Colonel Zallmann, was originally largely responsible for the organization of the Polish Base Depot in Palestine in 1942. He later became Deputy Quarter Master General Polish Forces ME and is now DQMG HQ Base at 2 Polish Corps CMF. For two years this office has worked in close contact with British Staffs in Iraq, Palestine and Egypt and has always made it a principal to master British administrative methods and subsequently to ensure that they have been understood and compiled with in the British units for whose administration he has been responsible.
Colonel Zallmann's ability and strong personality in the execution of his duty has proved of constant value to the British Staffs with whom he has worked, and has greatly contributed to smooth and efficient co-operation with Polish staffs and units".

Recommended by : Brigadier (Hon) J.B.G. Hennessey

Approved by : General Sir Bernard Charles Tolver Paget, Commander in Chief Middle East Forces.

Dated : 16th January 1945

Award : OBE.



Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for the 5KDP, 2nd Polish Corps.

Lieutenant Colonel Józef Hempel.

Recommendation States :

"As Officer Commanding 5 Engineer Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Hempel has during the campaign in Italy, especially during the Monte Cassino and Ancona operations shown himself to be a most able commander. The success of these operations depended largely upon the maintenance of roads and bridges which the enemy had mainly demolished, and the skill and energy with which Lt. Col. Hempel directed his Battalion contributed largely to the keeping of communication open which was of vital importance to the success of the operations. He also distinguished himself in personally directing his battalion in the clearing of mine fields".

Recommended by : Lt. General W. Anders, C.B. Commanding 2 Polish Corps.

Approved by : Lt. General R.L. McCreery, G.O.C. Eighth Army

Dated 19th December 1944.

Award : OBE.



O.B.E. in case of issue.



Pplk. Józef Hempel grave in Brompton Cemetery

Virtuti Militari Silver Cross Numbered : 8670 awarded during WW2.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another citation for the award of the Military Medal to a soldier of the 2nd Polish Corps :



St.Panc. Wincenty Bąk, 4th Armoured Regiment



Military Medal obverse.

The Citation States :

“This NCO was the driver of a tank engaged in carrying ammunition up to some forward guns on the Mass Albaneta feature on 17 and 18 May 1944. Although wounded he refused to leave his tank and not only continued to do his duty as driver but also helped to load ammunition under enemy fire and several times returned to the gun position with supplies of ammunition.
He left his tank only after being wounded a second time and had been ordered by his Squadron Commander to do so. During the whole action he showed exceptional courage and bravery which was an example and inspiration to the whole Squadron”.

Recommended By; Lt General W. Anders, Comd. 2 Polish Corps.

Counter signed by Lt General O.W.H. Leese G.O.C. Eighth Army

Authorised by H.R. Alexander, General, Commander in Chief Allied Central Mediterranean Force.

Granted an Immediate M.M.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation for a soldier of the 2nd Polish Corps for the award of the Military Medal.

Gunner Zygmunt Joks, 7 Polish Horse Artillery Regiment.

Recommendation states :

"Near Solarolo, Gunner Joks was attached as a wireless operator to a British self propelled Battery. Being without a tank he worked with outstanding devotion to duty in an open vehicle, despite heavy enemy artillery fire. On 18th April 1945 whilst crossing the Gaiana River (as wireless operator in a brigade tank) in order to establish communications with the armoured regiment. He left the tank despite a heavy enemy artillery cone with the object if repairing a damaged aerial. By his action he showed great courage and devotion to duty and ensured successful communications".

Recommended by : Lt. General W. Anders, Commanding 2 Polish Corps.

Approved by : Lt. General R.L. McCreery, GOC Eighth Army.

Award : Military Medal



Military Medal obverse.

Best wishes

Andrzej