British Awards for Polish Soldiers

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for a Deputy Commander of 5th Wilno Brigade

Lieutenant Colonel Wiktor Stoczkowski

"As Deputy Commander 5th Wilno Brigade during the Brigade Operations on the Adriatic sector on 3rd, 5th and 7th July 1944, Lieutenant Colonel Stoczkowski personally commanded a composite unit and captured Palazzo del Cannone, Montoro and Paterniano and the neighbouring high ground which constituted key positions in the enemy Ancona defensive system.

By subsequent capture of Monte Della Crescia, he largely contributed to the final defeat of the enemy and the capture of Ancona.

In the above operations he showed a good sense of command and outstanding personal courage, his example and initiative was an inspiration to his troops".

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

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

Dated : June 1945

Award : D.S.O.



Distinguished Service Order in case of issue obverse

Podpulkownik Wiktor Stoczkowski was born on the 17th May 1898 and prior to WW2 served in the Army of the IIRP during which he received the following Awards and Medals :

1) Gold Cross of Merit

2) Independence Medal

3) 1918-1921 War Medal

4) 10th Anniversary of Independence Medal

5) 20 Years Long Service Medal

6) 10 Years Long Service Medal

In the 1932 Officers Yearbook he was a Kapitan serving in the 77th Infantry Regiment.

During WW2 he also received the following Awards and Medals

7) Silver Cross Virtuti Militari Numbered : 8776



Silver Cross Virtuti Militari obverse

8) Gold Cross of Merit with Swords



Gold Cross of Merit with Swords obverse



9) Army Medal

10) Monte Cassino Cross Numbered : 17015

British

11) Distinguished Service Order

12) 1939-1945 Star

13) Italy Star

14) 1939-1945 Defence Medal

15) 1939-1945 War Medal

Polish

16) Wound Ribbon Legitymacja Numbered : 1245



Wound Legit reverse



Pplk Wiktor Stoczkowski Military ID Card reverse



Pplk Wiktor Stoczkowski



Pplk Stoczkowski centre wearing his VM in Bologna



Pplk Stoczkowski speaking with Bishop Gawlina



Pplk Wiktor Stoczkowski accompanying General Bryg. Nikodem Sulik whilst the later is Decorating Soldiers.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[ze-pole]

Hello,
Great post !
I had had the honor to meet Leon STOJOWSKI you mention in the post.
Freddy MUSIALA made a website for this officer, and invited him to the patriotic ceremonies in North of France before this gentleman passed away.
He lived in north of France.
Freddy in a passion collector who works for the Polish remembrance.
A great man.
ZP

[andrzejku98]

Hello Ze-Pole,

Many thanks for your post, I also had the honour to meet 3 of the men that I have posted Recommendations for :

1) Jan Kowalski D.F.C.

2) General Klemens Rudnicki

3) Ludwik Lubienski

It was a real pleasure and honour to meet and speak to these men.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for a senior Officer from the Carpathian Lancers Regiment

Lieutenant Colonel Stanisław Zakrzewski

"As Commanding Officer of the Carpathian Lancers, Lieutenant Colonel Zakrzewski distinguished himself as a brilliant leader and skilful commander.

When his regiment captured the Passo Corno feature on 20th May 1944, during the opening phase of the Allied offensive in Italy.

He has subsequently led his regiment with courage and distinction throughout the campaign on the Adriatic sector and again showed himself to be an outstanding commander by his swift and bold action on the coast road between Porto Recanati and Ancona on 17th and 18th July 1944.

Which gained surprise over the enemy and affected the course of the whole operation which led to the capture of Ancona".

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

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

Dated : 19th December 1944

Award : D.S.O.



Distinguished Service Order in case of issue obverse

Podpulkownik Stanisław Wyskota–Zakrzewski was born on the 1st March 1902 and during his service in the Polish Army pre 1939 he received the following Awards and Medals :

1) Cross of Valour (1918-1921) with 1 Bar

2) Independence Medal

3) Silver Cross of Merit

4) 1918-1921 War Commemorative Medal

5) 10th Anniversary of Independence Medal

6) 20 Years Long Service Medal

7) 10 Years Long Service Medal



Rtm. Stanisław Wyskota–Zakrzewski with the ribbons of his awards



Rtm. Stanisław Wyskota–Zakrzewski with the Decorations and Medals awarded him.

During WW2 he also received the following Awards and Medals :

8) Wound Ribbon with 1 Star

9) Silver Cross Virtuti Militari Numbered : 9946



Silver Cross Virtuti Militari obverse.

10) Cross of Valour (1939-1945) with 3 Bars

11) Army Medal

12) Monte Cassino Cross Numbered : 38158

British

13) Distinguished Service Order

14) 1939-1945 Star

15) Africa Star

16) Italy Star

17) 1939-1945 Defence Medal

18) 1939-1945 War Medal

Italian

19) War Cross

During WW2 and the Campaign in Italy his Service Number was : 1902-83-III.



31st August 1944 Pplk. Stanisław Wyskota–Zakrzewski in the suburbs of Pesario speaking with an Italian Officer.



Post War 1945-1946 Photograph of Pplk. Stanisław Wyskota–Zakrzewski



Portrait of Pplk.Stanisław Wyskota–Zakrzewski

After the end of the war in Europe he came to the UK with his Regiment and after being demobbed settled down to civilian life, he died in Grimsby Hospital on the 8th January 1986.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[conrado]

Hello Everyone,

Two Faces of the Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (D.F.C.), both from the same Squadron:



Por. pil. (F/Lt) Bolesław Kazimierz Turzański, Service Number: P2094, Unit: 307 Dywizjon Myśliwski Nocny "Lwowskich Puchaczy" (No. 307 Polish Night Fighter Squadron)



He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (D.F.C.) on 4th April 1944.



He was most successfully Polish night fighter pilot of WW2 (4-0-0 Claims). He shot down Dornier 215 three times and Dornier 217 once.



Sierż. pil. Bolesław Turzański, the most effective Polish night fighter in front of his Bristol Beaufighter Mk. IIF EW-? (R2379). On his fingers he shows his double downing of the Dorniers 215 (or Do 217) obtained at night of 1/2 November 1941.

He was also awarded the Virtuti Militari Silver Cross, KW x3, ML x4.



The Commander-in-Chief General Władysław Sikorski decorates sierż. pil. Bolesław Turzański with the Virtuti Militari Silver Cross. 307th Squadron holiday, Exeter, 10th September 1942.



Pilots of the 307 Dywizjon Myśliwski Nocny "Lwowskich Puchaczy"



He died on 11th September 2004 at the age of 91 and was buried at the Osobowicki Cemetery in Wrocław.



Pilots of the 307 Dywizjon Myśliwski Nocny "Lwowskich Puchaczy", in the first row from the right: unrecognized, st. sierż. pil. Antoni Beda, st. sierż. pil. Bolesław Turzański, por. pil. Jan Maliński, unrecognized, por. pil. Zdzisław Buchowiecki, por. pil. Jerzy Damsz, por. robs. Witold Sylwestrowicz, unrecognized, por. pil. Stanisław Andrzejewski, por. pil. Stanisław Szablowski, kpt. pil. Gerard Ranoszek, kpt. pil. Władysław Różycki. 307th Squadron holiday, Exeter, 10th September 1942



Mjr pil. (S/Ldr) Gerard Karol Antoni Ranoszek, Service Number: P0663, Unit: 307 Dywizjon Myśliwski Nocny "Lwowskich Puchaczy" (No. 307 Polish Night Fighter Squadron)



He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (D.F.C.) on 8th May 1943.



He was very effective Polish night fighter pilot of WW2 (3-0-2 Claims). Very successful for him was the night of 4/5th August 1942 when he shot down two Junkers 88.

He was also awarded the Virtuti Militari Silver Cross Numbered 9682, KW x3, ML x4.



Kpt. pil. Gerard Ranoszek at the Beaufighter VIF EW-R (X8005) marked with four swastikas - symbols of air victories obtained by this pilot at that time (in fact he had 3 sure wins - he shot down Junkers 88 two times and Dornier 217 once). Exeter, August-September 1942.



Bristol Beaufighter Mk. VIF EW-R (X8005) on which por. pil. Gerard Ranoszek and sierż. robs. Jerzy Trzaskowski shot down two German night fighters in one night, Exeter, May 1942.



Parade of the 307th Squadron in front of the Commander-in-Chief General Władysław Sikorski and the dignitaries accompanying him. In the background is the Beaufighter VIF EW-R of por. pil. Gerard Ranoszek. 307th Squadron holiday, Exeter, 10 September 1942.



Post war picture of mjr pil. (S/Ldr) Gerard Karol Antoni Ranoszek. After demobilization he decided to live in the Republic of South Africa.





He died in Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa. His ashes are now buried at the Powązki Military Cemetery in Warsaw.


Regards
Konrad

PS



The Commander-in-Chief General Władysław Sikorski after granting him the Honorary Badge of the 307 Dywizjon Myśliwski Nocny "Lwowskich Puchaczy" on the occasion of the Squadron holiday in Exeter on 10th September 1942. He was decorated in an unusual way. One of the squadron officers simply approached General Sikorski he made an incision with a penknife in the pocket of his uniform and inserted the thread of the Badge into the hole.

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for a senior Infantry officer

Lieutenant Colonel Wacław Jacyna

"On 4th July 1944 the 13th Battalion, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Jacyna, was taking part in the attack on Osino, an important objective on the Adriatic Coast.

The enemy was contesting the ground most stubbornly and had covered all approaches with heavy artillery and mortar fire and had succeeded in holding up the attack.

Despite this, Lieutenant Colonel Jacyna went forward personally and with complete disregard for his own safety, made a personal reconnaissance and himself led his men forward in a renewed attack.

His quick and skilful appreciation of the situation combined with perfect leadership and control of his men was largely responsible for the success of this action".

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

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

Dated : 31st December 1944

Award : D.S.O.



Distinguished Service Order in case of issue obverse.



Plk.dypl. Wacław Jacyna

Wacław Klemens Jacyna was born on the 11th December 1898 in Suwalki during the IIRP he was awarded the following :

1) Independence Cross

2) Cross of Valour (1918-1921)

3) Silver Cross of Merit

4) 1918-1921 War Commemorative Medal

5) 10th Anniversary of Independence Medal

6) 20 Years Long Service Medal

7) 10 Years Long Service Medal

For his Service during WW2 he also received the following Awards and Medals :

8) Gold Cross Virtuti Militari Numbered : 92

9) Silver Cross Virtuti Militari Numbered : 8673

10) Cross of Valour (1939-1945) with 2 Bars

11) Gold Cross of Merit with Swords

12) Army Medal

13) Monte Cassino Cross Numbered : 15255

British

14) Distinguished Service Order

15) 1939-1945 Star

16) Italy Star

17) 1939-1945 Defence Medal

18) 1939-1945 War Medal

Italian

19) War Cross

After the end of the war in Europe he came to the UK with his Division and emigrated to Argentina on the 1st January 1964 he was promoted to General of Brigade and died in Buenos Aires on the 2nd March 1979.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for NCO from the Parachute Brigade

Corporal Józef Wiśniewski

"On 21st September this NCO dropped with a group of the 1 Polish Parachute Brigade Group North-West of Elst.

During the fighting around Driel on 22nd September he displayed great personal gallantry in repulsing continued attacks by the enemy against his unit.

During these attacks he was wounded, but in spite of his wounds he continued to display outstanding courage and was an example to all the other troops in his area".

Recommended by : Lieutenant general F. A. M. Browning, Commanding Airborne Corps.

Countersigned by : Lieutenant General M. Kukiel, Minister of National Defence

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

Date : Not Dated

Award : M.M.



Military Medal obverse and reverse.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for an NCO in Tobruk in 1941

Lance Corporal Stanisław Bulzak

"On 1st December 1941 in Bel Hamed / Leopard / Lance Corporal Bulzak, acting as gunner by a Breda Anti Tank gun, shot and disabled a light german tank at a very long range.

The Germans were then concentrating for an attack on out position and it is probable that the accurate fire of our Anti Tank guns preventer them from moving forward.

In other occasions Lance Corporal Bulzak showed great courage and tenacity.

His name is given by us upon the request of the Officer Commanding 14th Brigade.

Recommended by : Major General Kopański, Commanding Polish Independent Brigade Group

Countersigned by : Lieutenant General N. M. Ritchie, GOC-in-C Eighth Army

Countersigned by : General Claude John Eyre Auchinleck, Commander-in-Chief of the Middle East Theatre.

Dated : 30th December 1941

Award : M.M.



Military Medal obverse.

Best wishes

Andrzej

p.s. the Commanding Officer of the 14th Infantry Brigade at that time was Brigadier B.H. Chappel.

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation for a NCO from the 1st Armoured Division

Lance Corporal Zygmunt Sagin

"On the 7th September 1944, Lance Corporal Sagin's troop of Anti Tank guns was in support of a squadron of reconnaissance tanks which was held up by intensive fire from enemy Anti Tank guns.

The squadron was then ordered to withdraw while the Anti Tank Troop was given the task of holding the position and neutralising enemy fire.

In the meantime the troop Commanders tank destroyer was hit three times and had one track damaged, and the troop commander gave orders to the next destroyer to tow his tank out.

The tank destroyer in which Lance Corporal Sagin was gun layer was left behind, in spite of very heavy fire from enemy mortars and guns, Lance Corporal Sagin's tank did not withdraw but went on firing until Lance Corporal Sagin had destroyed 2 enemy Anti tank guns.

By his courage and skill this NCO enabled the troop commanders tank to be evacuated and caused a complete change in the hitherto critical situation of the tank squadron".

Recommended by : major General Maczek, G.O.C., 1st Polish Armoured Division.

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

Countersigned by : Lieutenant General G. G. Simonds A/G.O.C. First Canadian Army.

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

Dated : 30th September 1944

Award : M.M.



Military Medal obverse

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for a despatch rider from the 2nd Corps,

Private Józef Łempicki

"On 13th July 1944, during the battle for Ancona, Private Łempicki was carrying out his duties as a despatch rider, carrying orders and messages to forward Headquarters and positions, under the most difficult and hazardous conditions.

On one occasion whilst carrying orders, the safe custody of which was vital to the conduct of the battle, Private Łempicki came under extremely heavy artillery and mortar fire.

He was unable to go any further on his motor cycle, so he dismounted and covered the rest of the way to his destination on foot, crossing an area which was being subjected to a heavy bombardment by the enemy at the time.

The orders he carried he delivered in time for their execution to have a decisive effect on the battle.

He showed an outstanding example by his devotion to duty under the most difficult conditions and with complete disregard for his own safety".

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

Countersigned by : Lieutenant General R. L. McCreery, G.O.C. Eighth Army.

Dated : 19th December 1944

Award : M.M.



Military Medal obverse

Born in 1925, during the Italian Campaign his Service Number was : 1925-19-III, he was awarded the Monte Cassino Cross Numbered : 26296. he was 19 years of age.

Best wishes

Andrzej