Polish Monte Casino Cross: Real or Fake????

[andrzejku98]

Hello Jim,

May I be the first to welcome you to the Forum, the "Odznaka Pamiatkowa Krzyz Pamiatkowy Monte Cassino", called popularly "The Monte Cassino Cross" was instituted by the Order of the Polish Supreme Commander in Chief of the Polish Armed Force (General Broni Kazimierz Sosnkowski) on 20th November 1944.

The Monte Cassino Cross Numbered: 1096 was awarded to:

Rank: St. Strzelec (Lance Corporal) sp.

Surname: ZYLA

Christian Name: Jozef

Date of Birth: 27th January 1912

Place of Birth: Zagorz in the Provence of Przeworsk

Army Number: (also found on his ID Tags): 1912-19-III

Unit: 2nd Rifle Battalion, 1st Rifle Brigade, 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division, 2nd Polish Corps.

Killed in Action at Monte Cassino

Date of Death: 12th May 1944

Buried at the Polish War Cemetery at Monte Cassino in Grave Number: 2-F-19

Photo of grave shown below



The only addittional information that I could find was that he was awarded the "Krzyz Walecznych" (The Cross of Valour 1939-1945 Type).

I sinecerely hope that the above is of some use and help to you.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[Jim Strawbridge]

Hello Andrzej, Thank you for such a quick and informative reply. The person who asked me to research it I have contacted and whilst he told me originally that it might relate to someone on his father's side called Garas, with the name that you have provided he was able to confirm that the name is of his mother's father (his grand-father). No "Krzyz Walecznych" (The Cross of Valour 1939-1945 Type) has turned up yet but his father died not too long ago and my man and his sister are still clearing the house. There were at least two British medals though (the Defence Medal and the 1939 - 45 star) which I assume may have been officially issued.

[andrzejku98]

Hello Jim,

Many thanks for your reply, he would have also been awarded the "Medal Wojsko" (Army Medal), the British Italy Star and other Badges.

Please keep us informed

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Jim,

I have had a quick look through the recipients list of the Monte Cassino Cross, but could not find a Garas, though I did find a Kanonier (Artilleryman) MICHAL GARUS.

Let me know if this is the one.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[Duane]

Hi Andrzej,

In your vast list of recipients, would you have the details of my grandfather who passed away on 29 Dec. He was in the Polish 2nd Corps and received the Monte Cassino Cross.

Piotr Golba
Born 25th February 1922

Kind regards

Duane

[andrzejku98]

Hello Duane,

May I be the first to welcome you to the Forum, I have found your Grandfathers details in the Register of Recipients of the Monte Cassino Cross and also in the Regimental History published in London in 1991.

When awarded the MCC your Grandfathers details were as follows:

Rank: Kanonier (Artilleryman)

Surname: GOLBA

Christian Name: PIOTR

Date of Birth: 1922

Army Number : (Also found on His ID Tags) : 1922-77-III

Monte Cassino Cross Numbered: 36830

Unit: 8 Pulk Artylerii PrzeciwLotniczej Ciezkiej

I have also gleaned the following information from the Regimental History.

British Awards Legitymacja Numberd 275

Medal Wojska (Army Medal) Legitymacja Numbered : 8863

2nd Corps Badge Legit Numbered : (unfortunately the Regimental History only lists 3 of the Numbers) : 325

Thats all that I have on your Grandfather, I sincerely hope that it is of some help to you.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[Duane]

Thank you.

Following his passing at 93, I am looking a bit further into his back ground in detail.

Is the regimental history available for public viewing?

He was made an honorary Lieutenant in the Polish Army by The Office for War Veterans and Victims of Oppression in Warsaw, which I attended with him to collect his award in the Polish Embassy in London in 2003.

[andrzejku98]

Hello Duane,

Many thanks for your post, if you require further information on your Grandfathers Service you would need to contact the British Ministry of Defence to obtain copies of his service record. Be sure to ask for copies of all the records that they hold, unfortunately they do charge £30.00p and you will have to fill in the forms online and provide copies of your Grandfathers and Grandmothers death certificates. If your father is still alive then ask him to fill in the forms, he would have to provide his Birth certificate to prove Kinship.

If you are wondering why the British have your Grandfathers Service Records it is because the 2nd Corps was under the British 8th Army Command.

Duane I had also checked the website victims of soviet repression but could not find your Grandfather listed, it is an ongoing project listing all those deported by the russians in 1939-1941.

Let us know how you get on Duane.

With regards to the Regimental History, this was privately published by the author another serving member of the Regiment Kazimierz Bortkiewicz, but unfortunately does not have an ISBN (International Standard Book Number). You could try putting in a request with your local library to see if a copy is available through them. Otherwise the Library at the POSK Centre (Polish Centre 240 King Street, Hammersmith, London) may have a copy.

Duane if your Grandfather was in the Polish Army pre 1939, then the Polish Army Records Centre at Rembertow near Warsaw may have some records.

Best wishes

Andrzej

p.s. if you have any of your Grandfathers items or Legitymacja, I am sure the other members of the Forum would like to see them.

Myself I have 2 medal groups to members of the Regiment (Antoni POWAZA and Kazimierz KARAPULKA).

[Duane]

Hi Andrzej,

no, he wasn't in the army pre-1939, he only joined the 2nd Corps on his release by the Soviets in Siberia.

My aunty retained his medals after his passing including his award cards (Legitymacja) so in due course I will ask for a photo of it all.

I acquired his blazer with 2 Corps badge and a 2nd Corps blazer badge which I had specially made for him. (will add photo's tomorrow)

In the mean time, as I was quite close to him I have purchased a number of medals to replicate his, including a MCC this evening. No ribbon, so will look next to purchase an original ribbon or copy.

Awardee of the MCC is not known although it states is was someone from 16th Lwow Rifle Battalion. (Cross Number - 18406)

Duane

[andrzejku98]

Hello Duane,

Many thanks for your post, the Monte Cassino Cross Numbered 18406 was awarded to:

Rank: Kapral (Corporal)

Surname: TURAKI

Christian Name: Bronislaw

Date of Birth: 1913

Army Number : (also found on His ID Tags) : 1913-55-III

Unit: 16th Rifle Battalion, 5th Kresowa Infantry Division.

Hope that the above information is of some use to you.

Best wishes

Andrzej