British Awards for Polish Soldiers

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for an Officer of 2nd Corps Engineers.

Captain Andrzej Kalinowski

"As Intelligence Officer at Headquarters Troops Engineers , by his exceptional conscientiousness throughout and untiring work, Captain Kalinowski contributed throughout the Operations in Italy from October-December 1944.

To a correct appreciation of the engineers situation producing good and technical information on numerous occasions he personally visited engineer sectors including detachments in the forward areas.

He reached correct decisions on behalf of his Chief Engineer, he efficiently co-ordinated the movement and work of the engineer troops under exceptionally difficult operational conditions.

Especially as from the engineer aspect, he was an outstanding character, both as an officer and a man, exceptionally reliable and industrious beyond praise".

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

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

Dated : July 1945

Award : M.B.E. (Military Division)



M.B.E. (Military Division) in case of issue obverse.

Kapitan Andrzej Kalinowski Army Number was listed as : 261-III.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for a Liaison Officer with 21st Army Group Headquarters.

Major Stefan Adam Zamoyski

"Major Zamoyski has acted as second-in-command to the Head of the Polish Military Mission to Headquarters 21 Army Group, since March 1945.

An officer of wide international experience, he is intensely keen, hard working and possessed great drive, he has done most valuable work between this Headquarters and the 1st Polish Armoured Division.

In addition to able handling of the many varied problems with which his Countrymen are faced today".

Recommended by : Lieutenant Colonel B.C. Smith-Bingham, Chief Liaison Officer, Liaison Allied Contingent.

Dated : 29th June 1945

Award : M.B.E. (Military Division).



M.B.E. (Military Division) in case of issue obverse.



Por. Stefan Zamoyski 1929 when serving in the 8PUL



Wojciech Kossak's portrait of Por Stefan Zamoyski painted in 1929.



Rtm Stefan Zamoyski shaking the hand of King George VI, whilst General Sikorski ADC. 1940



Rtm Stefan Zamoyski 1941



Rtm Stefan Zamoyski wearing the Ribbons of the Virtuti Militari (Numbered : 8969) Cross of Valour, and the French War Cross.

Born 17th February 1904 Major Stefan Adam Zamoyski died in San Francisco (U.S.A.) on the 27th October 1976.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for an Officer Headquarters Staff 2nd Corps.

Lieutenant Colonel Stanisław Teofil Kijak.

"This officer acted as a Liaison Officer between Corps and Division from February until April 1945, he was then appointed GSOII (I) at Corps Headquarters.

Invariably he has displayed tireless energy, calmness, initiative and good humour and his work both as a Liaison Officer and later in Intelligence is deserving of the highest praise".

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

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

Dated : 13th August 1945

Award : M.B.E. (Military Division)



M.B.E. (Military Division) in case of issue obverse.

Podpulkownik Stanisław Teofil Kijak was born on the 23rd September 1898 and during the Polish - soviet war he was awarded the KW x 2, KZ.WLśr., he was later awarded the Silver Cross of Merit.

Podpulkownik dypl. Stanisław Teofil Kijak died on the 28th November 1945 and was buried in the Polish War Cemetery in Loreto in grave number : 8-A-11.



Polish War Cemetery in Loreto.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for a Transport Officer of the 5KDP.

Major Marian Romankiewicz

"Major Romankiewicz performed the duties of Commanding Polish Army Service Corps 5 Kresowa Division, during the period of 13th September 1942-23rd November 1942. When Polish Army Service Corps units of 5 Kresowa Division were formed, as Deputy Commander Polish Army Service Corps 5 Kresowa Division between 24th November 1942 and 24th August 1944.

He organised the supply services of 5 Kresowa Division, he was also responsible for the supplies to the fighting units during the Battles for Monte Cassino and Ancona.

As acting Commander Polish Army Service Corps 5 Kresowa Division, during the period 25th November 1944- 29th April 1945 and Commanding Polish Army Service Corps 5 Kresowa Division since 30th April 1945.

He has directed the supplies to fighting units with great drive and determination, in spite of difficulties often being deprived of the assistance of third line transport and having to arrange to supply units along supply roads which were most unsuitable for heavy transport.

No units ever went without their major requirements, during the Battle for Bologna, this was a stern test of his organising powers, but the success with which it was carried through proved his outstanding ability".

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

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

Dated : 30th June 1945

Award : M.B.E. (Military Division).



M.B.E. (Military Division) in case of issue obverse

Major Marian Franciszek Romankiewicz was born on the 30th November 1896, during the Polish-soviet war he was awarded the KW, and for his service in the Italian Campaign. He was awarded the Army Medal, Monte Cassino Cross Numbered : 27025, after the end of the war he came to the UK with his Division and settled down to life in Coventry where he died on the 15th June 1970.



Grave of Major Marian Franciszek Romankiewicz and his wife Maria in Coventry, interesting the Grave as O.B.E. on it.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[TMZ]

I think it is quite common for people to confuse the OBE and MBE awards due to the full wording.

"Officer of the Order of the British Empire" and "Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire". People mistakenly think that "Order of the British Empire" means OBE.

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for the Commanding Officer of the 1st Armoured Regiment, 1st Armoured Division

Lieutenant Colonel Aleksander Stefanowicz

"On 20th April 1945 at Aschendorf / MR. 73-95M / Lieutenant Colonel Stefanowicz commanding his Regiment during the attack from the Kusten Canal, crossed the River Dever, which was the main obstacle on the approaches to Aschendorf.

By surprise he captured by a daring manoeuvre on 20th April 1945, inspite of strong enemy anti-tank defence, the Towns : Herbrum, Aschendorf the Tunxdoefen Wood and the Village Tunxdorf and Neundorf / MR 74-91M21, / 73-95M2 /, / 7198M2 / 7198M2 /, 74-99M2 /.

Throughout the action Lieutenant Colonel Stefanowicz commanded personally moving always immediately behind his forward elements under enemy fire.

The above action resulted in 300 P-O-W being taken and 8 anti-tank guns liquidated".

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

Dated : 28th June 1945

Award : D.S.O.



Distinguished Service Order in case of issue obverse



Pplk. Aleksander Stefanowicz



Pplk. Aleksander Stefanowicz receiving the Regiments New Colours from the Town of St. Nicolas, Belgium on the 3rd March 1946.

The Town also Presented the Regiment with its Coat of Arms to be worn by all soldiers of the Regiment



Coat of Arms of St Nicolas presented to the Regiment.

Aleksander Stefanowicz was born on the 20th December 1900, he also received the following awards : Silver Cross of the Virtuti Militari (Legitymacja Numbered : 10348), Cross of Valour (France 1940) plus 2 Bars (For France, Belgium, Holland, Gernany 1944-45)
Army Medal, Belgian Order of the Crown and Belgian War Cross, French War Cross.

Aleksander Stefanowicz died on the 2nd March 1985 in Toronto, Canada.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for an Engineer of the 2nd Corps

Lieutenant Zbigniew Jan Stanisław Śmidowicz

"Lieutenant Smidoiwcz in his appointment as Intelligence Officer Polish Engineers, distinguished by his work and by the conscientiousness with which he carried out the duties given to him.

He showed great initiative in collecting information from the battlefields, particularly with reference to mines and demolitions. He always supplied the fighting units with plans showing the layout of enemy minefields. Demolitions and obstacles, thus largely contributing towards the planning of operations and the reduction of casualties.

In particular his cross section of Rivers, Senio, Santerno and Idice, made from interepetation of Air photographs, which were an excellent example of his outstanding work were later proved to be 90% correct.

These cross sections helped in no small degree the successful bridging of these Rivers in the shortest possible time".

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

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

Dated : 13th August 1945

Award : M.B.E. (Military Division).



M.B.E. (Military Division) case of issue.



M.B.E. (Military Division) in case of issue obverse.

Porucznik Zbigniew Jan Stanisław Śmidowicz, was born on the 16th May 1911, during the September 1939 Campaign he was a Podporucznik inz. he escaped to France then to the UK and in 1942 he was sent to the Middle East to the 2nd Corps.

His Army Number was : 1911-424-III, he was awarded the Cross of Valour and the Army Medal along with the Monte Cassino Cross Numbered : 38765.

After the end of the war in Europe he came to the UK with his Unit and after being demoded into civilian life became an Architect and died in Stirling in Scotland on the 16th February 1994.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for an NCO from 1st Armoured Division.

Lance Sergeant Leon Gacyk (although on the original Recommendation it states his rank as Staff Sergeant).

"In the early morning of 19th April 1945, one of the tanks supporting the Infantry was slightly damaged and immobilised, S/Sgt. Gacyk from the advanced workshop detachment, Armoured Brigade Workshop was detached to carry out repairs with the help of the crew.

Having collected the necessary spares he set to work, when the party was subjected to mortar fire and air burst from heavy Anti-Aircraft guns. With great courage S/Sgt. Gacyk carried on setting a fine example to his men and the tank was repaired and able to proceed.

The action mentioned was at Kusten Canal / MR 745880 /".

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

Dated : 28th June 1945

Award : M.M.



Military Medal obverse.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for an Officer 2 Polish Corps

Major Marian Jan Wasilewski

"This officer was in charge of the Corps gun repair shop from its inception, his powers of organization and drive were such that the gun shop reached a very high degree of efficiency he directed the repair work of guns etc.

Throughout the Corps operations and rendered great service in the field, through his own untiring efforts and outstanding example, the repairs were both efficiently and expeditiously carried out and thus materially helped the operations".

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

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

Dated : 30th June 1945

Award : M.B.E. (Military Division)



M.B.E. (Military Division) in case of issue obverse

Major Marian Jan Wasilewski was born on the 6th August 1907, by 1932 he was a Ppor. serving in the 5th Engineers Battalion, during WW2 his Army Number was : 1907-172-III, he was also awarded the Monte Cassino Cross Numbered : 46520.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for an Officer 3DSK and 2nd Armoured Brigade.

Lieutenant Colonel Ziemowit Tadeusz Michał Grabowski.

"As Brigade Major of the Armoured Brigade Group (RAK. Force), during the operations against Bologna (from 16th-21st April 1945), he distinguished himself by his courage, calmness and excellent planning.

He always worked at the forward Command posts, constantly under enemy artillery fire and mortar fire, at times even under machine gun fire.

During the fighting for the Medicina Canal crossing (17th April 1945), he was an example of calmness and self-possession under heavy enemy fire".

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

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

Dated : 30th June 1945

Award : D.S.O.



Distinguished Service Order in case of issue obverse.

Podpulkownik (later Pulkownik) dypl. Ziemowit Tadeusz Michał Grabowski, was already a highly decorated officer with the Virtuti Militari Silver Cross Numbered : 2614, Independence Cross, Cross of Valour (1918-1921) with 2 Bars, Gold Cross of Merit.

Born on the 8th January 1898, during the 2nd World War his service number was : 1898-134-III, during the Italian Campaign he was also awarded the Cross of Valour (1939-1945) along with the Army Medal and the Monte Cassino Cross Numbered : 1336. Awarded whilst serving as Commanding Officer of the 2nd Rifle Brigade, 3rd Carpathian Division.

Best wishes

Andrzej