British Awards for Polish Soldiers

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for an Officer of 2nd Polish Corps :

Recommendation for Lieutenant Colonel Ludwik Karol Grzymala-Piątkowski.

"Since the capture of Ancona on July 18th 1944, Colonel Grzymala-Piątkowski has been the commander of Polish Forces there. Particularly in the early days, in this battered Port, many problems arose for mutual agreement as regards accommodation for troops and hospitals, welfare and discipline. That all difficulties were overcome and the best relationships maintained between all ranks in both armies, was largely due to this officer's whole hearted co-operation. He rendered splendid service to the Allied cause and here, in particular to the British Army".

Recommended by : Brigadier Charles St. Quentin Outen Fullbrook-Leggatt.

Approved by : Major General Cecil Albert Heydeman, Commander No. 1 District Central Mediterranean Force.

Award : O.B.E.



O.B.E. obverse

Also awarded the Monte Cassino Cross Numbered : 47677.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation, this time for the award of the Military Medal to a N.C.O. 5KDP, 2nd Polish Corps.

Serjeant Konstanty Klimaszewski.

" From 7th May 1944 and throughout the operations against Monte Cassino, in his capacity as I/C of a Prov. Section he distinguished himself by his courage whilst carrying out Traffic Control duties, directing traffic under enemy artillery fire. Furthermore on 7th May 1944 along the Inferno track, when he set a high example of devotion and courage whilst extinguishing a fire in the New Zealand Divisions "Hove Dump", started by enemy artillery fire, he contributed a great deal in preventing the fire from spreading to a neighbouring area".

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

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

Dated July 1945.

Award : M.M.



Military Medal obverse.

Also awarded the Monte Cassino Cross Numbered : 28618.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for the Armoured Brigade, 2nd Polish Corps.

Recipient : Corporal Henryk Krasowski.

"In the battle for a bridgehead on the river Gaiana on 19th April 1945 as a tank driver, this NCO showed great initiative and daring when the commander of his tank had been wounded. Corporal Krasowski in a very capable manner continued driving his tank so that the gun crew were able to continue firing, Corporal Krasowski by his skill saved the tank from being hit by enemy panzerfaust. Next when one of the tracks had come off, he jumped out of his tank and worked under enemy fire on repairing the damage. Inside a few minutes the repairs were completed and this enabled the tank to continue moving forward and firing, during the entire action he showed conspicuous courage".

Recommended by : Lt. General Szyszko-Bohusz, Commanding 2 Polish Corps.

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

Dated : 30th June 1945

Award : M.M.



Military Medal obverse

Kapral Henryk Krasowski, Born in 1920, served in the 4th Armoured Regiment and was awarded the Monte Cassino Cross Numbered : 29263.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another 2nd Corps awarded this time an O.B.E.

Lieutenant Colonel Władysław Kaczmarek.

"This officer has worked on the operations Staff of HQ 2 Polish Corps since November 1944, during this time he has displayed outstanding energy and drive and has played a considerable part in the planning and Staff control of a great number of operations. For nearly two months he deputised as GSO 1 with marked efficiency, this period included the crossings of the rivers Senio, Santerno and Idice.

Throughout the courage of his duties he has maintained most successful contact with British Staffs both in flanking and higher formations and on the Headquarters of formation and units under command Polish Corps".

Recommended by : Lt General Szyszko-Bohusz. Commanding 2 Polish Corps

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

Award : O.B.E.

Dated June 1945.



O.B.E. (Mil.Div.) in case of issue

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for a Senior Officer of 2 Polish Corps.

Colonel Konstanty Zdzisław Skąpski.

"Colonel Skąpski has been Chief Engineer of 2 Polish Corps since ite formation in 1942. Initially he was responsible for organising and training the Polish Engineers and later it was his duty to lead them into action. It is largely through his personal inspiration, devotion to duty and co-operation with the Engineer Staffs of Allied forces that the Polish Engineers have been able to play their part in the Italian Campaign with such success".

Recommended by : Lt. General Szyszko-Bohusz, Commanding 2 Polish Corps.

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

Dated June 1945

Award : O.B.E.



O.B.E. in case of issue.



General Anders with Pulkownik Konstanty Zdzisław Skąpski in Italy 1944

The Later General Bryg. Konstanty Zdzisław Skąpski was awarded the following : Virtuti Militari Gold Cross Nr : 38, Virtuti Militari Silver Cross Nr : 5009, Cross of Valour and Bar, Gold Cross of Merit with Swords, Gold Cross of Merit, Independence Medal, Army Medal, Monte Cassino Cross Nr : 13.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for the Deputy Commander 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division.

Colonel Marian Józef Smoleński.

"Colonel Smoleński took an active part in preparing the battle formation lines of the River Senio and River Santerno. He was entrusted with all the preparatory work and training of the attacking troops of the division. He put into this work his very extensive professional knowledge and battle experience. In the fighting for the lines of Rivers Senio and Santerno he was sent by the Divisional Commander to forward Battalions with the task of co-ordinating the action of the Battalions and Brigades. During his visits to the units fighting under enemy fire he shone as a fine example to his men, by his calmness and courage. The fine results of this hard fighting were undpubtedly due to the excellent preparatory work which to a large extent was carried out by Colonel Smoleński in his capacity as Deputy Commander 3rd Carpathian Division".

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

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

Dated July 1945

Award : O.B.E.



O.B.E. (Military Division) Case of Issue



A few of the awards belonging to General Bryg. Smoleński.



Rtm. Smoleński in the 1920s.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for a junior officer of the 1st Armoured Division.

Recipient : Lieutenant Tadeusz Bletek

"On 26th April 1945, an assault crossing of the River Leda near Potshausen / Map reference 924103Q/ was launched by a company of the 10th Infantry Regiment. Under very heavy enemy Artillery and Mortar fire, the assault boats were manned by sapper personnel under the command of Lieutenant Bletek and the whole company was successfully transported across the river.
A Class 5 raft was then built and four carriers taken across the river, the fifth received a direct hit from an enemy mortar and the raft and carrier were sunk. Work was then started on the construction of a class 9 raft, but was nit completed owing to enemy mortar fire which destroyed one quarter of the material. A second class 5 raft was built still under enemy fire, this was completed successfully and the remainder of the Infantry company's equipment was transported across the river. Thus enabling the bridgehead to be held and expanded, this officer was on the river side commanding the engineer operations under enemy fire continuously for 8 hours without relaxation. Lieutenant Bletek by his own courage and determination during the whole of this period did much to encourage the sappers and ensure the ultimate success of the operation".

Recommended by : Major General Rudnicki, GOC 1st Armoured Division

Dated : 28th June 1945

Award : M.C.



Military Cross obverse.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation which at the decision point was upgraded from the British Empire Medal to the Member of the British Empire Cross.

Warrant Officer Class 1 Adam Wawrzyniak.

"This Warrant Officer has served with the Brigade since September 1942, he took part in the Arnhem Operation and is reported as having done excellent work. He is the Sergeant Major of the R.A.S.C. Company with responsibilities which he carries out most conscientiously. He has considerable influence to the good with the Other Rank's and is a most loyal Warrant Officer".

Recommendation by : Lieutenant Colonel C.D. Armstrong

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

Dated 30th August 1945.

Award : B.E.M. (struck out) and replaced by handwritten M.B.E.



M.B.E. (Mil) in case of issue



15th June 1944 Chor. Adam Wawrzyniak is holding the newly presented Parachute Brigade Standard.



Chor. Adam Wawrzyniak with the new Parachute Brigade Standard.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation again for an officer of the Parachute Brigade.

"Captain Sobociński joined the Brigade in November 1942, during the operation at Arnhem, when his Battalion Commander became a casualty he took over command of the Battalion and has remained in command since then. As one of the oldest members of the Brigade this officer has worked most conscientiously and consistently for the welfare and efficiency of his unit. All his dealings with British personnel and units have been happy and sincere and he has done much to maintain the happy relationship which has existed between British and Polish Units".

Recommended by : Lieutenant Colonel C.D. Armstrong, G1 Liaison (Airborne) attached 1st Polish Parachute Brigade.

Approved by : Lieutenant Colonel Jachnik, Commanding 1st Independent Polish Parachute Brigade.

Approved by : Major General Rudnicki, Commanding 1st Armoured Division.

Award : M.B.E.



M.B.E.(Mily) Case of issue.



M.B.E.(Mily) in case of issue by Royal Mint.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

The following Recommendation has already been listed, but on finding a photograph of the Recipient I decided to put everything together in one place.

Recommendation for the O.B.E. to Lieutenant Colonel Antoni Szczerbo-Rawicz.

"Lieutenant Colonel Rawicz commanded a Battalion of the Parachute Brigade for one year, during 1943/44 and was later recalled to the Brigade to take over command. He has worked untiringly to train his Brigade and has displayed much patience and tact during the late uncertain period of the Polish Forces. Since arrival in Germany the exemplary behaviour of his Brigade towards the Germans is due much to his influence and wise leadership. Lieutenant Colonel Rawicz has at all times co-operated whole heartedly with British units and commanders with whom he has come into contact, and has been most helpful to myself and all members of the British liaison mission with his Brigade".

Recommended by : Lieutenant Colonel C.D. Armstrong, G1 Liaison (Airborne) attached 1st Polish Parachute Brigade.

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

Award : O.B.E.



O.B.E. in case of issue.



Podpulkownik Antoni Rawiccz-Szczerbo O.B.E.

Best wishes

Andrzej